ELLICOTT CITY, MD
At a Glance
- TypeRailroad museum
- LocationELLICOTT CITY, MD
- Rating4.7 ★482 Google reviews
About Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum
Inside the stone Ellicott City Station, visitors explore the 1830‑built terminal that once marked the end of the B&O’s original 13‑mile (21 km) line from Baltimore. The two‑story building sits against the reconstructed Oliver Viaduct, its 50‑foot turntable foundation and 1885 Baldwin freight house displaying a 1927 caboose and an HO‑gauge model of the original route. Admission is free; the museum is operated by Howard County’s Department of Recreation & Parks.
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum. Many heritage operators publish schedules seasonally or run on regular open hours instead of dated events.
Check the operator’s website for current hours and special runs, or subscribe to event alerts and we’ll email you when something is scheduled.
Plan Your Visit
- ParkingFree lot · street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
- HoursMonday: ClosedTuesday: ClosedWednesday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PMThursday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Find the Depot
The Trains
The original line ran 13 miles (21 km) from Baltimore to Ellicott’s Mills, later extending to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia (1834), Cumberland, Maryland (1842) and Wheeling, West Virginia on the Ohio River (1852). The station’s early rolling stock includes the B&O’s first locomotive, the Tom Thumb, demonstrated in 1830, and a 1927 caboose preserved on site; a 50‑foot (15‑m) turntable installed in 1863 once turned locomotives for the return trip to Baltimore.
History
See full history
The Baltimore and Ohio Ellicott City Station was built in 1830 as the terminus of the B&O Railroad’s original line, making it the oldest remaining passenger railway station in the United States. After passenger service ended in 1949 and freight service ceased in 1972, the building was preserved and designated a National Historic Landmark. From 2006 through 2017 the site operated as a museum under a partnership between the B & O Railroad Museum and Howard County. In September 2017 management transferred to Howard County’s Department of Recreation & Parks, which continues to run the museum today. The station’s historic significance is highlighted by the 1863 installation of a 50‑foot turntable and the 1885 construction of an adjacent freight house designed by E. Francis Baldwin.
Around the Depot
B&O Ellicott City Station MuseumMuseum·★ 4.7 (484)1 min walkDirections →B&O Model Train YardAttraction·★ 5 (14)1 min walkDirections →Blush RepublicGift Shop·★ 4.8 (32)1 min walkDirections →Historic Old Railroad HotelAttraction·★ 5 (2)1 min walkDirections →Matcha Time Gift ShopGift Shop·★ 4.8 (74)1 min walkDirections →
Historic Patapsco HotelAttraction·★ 5 (1)1 min walkDirections →B&O CabooseAttraction·★ 5 (4)1 min walkDirections →Historic Collier's Grist MillAttraction·★ 5 (2)1 min walkDirections →
National Railway Historical Society, D.c. ChapterTrain Ride8.1 miView →
B & O Railroad MuseumTrain Ride·★ 4.6 (3381)8.8 miView →
Baltimore Streetcar Museum, Inc.Museum·★ 4.9 (113)9.9 miView →
Northeast Rail Heritage Inc.Train Ride14 miView →
National Capital Historical Museum of Transportation, Inc.Museum·★ 4.7 (350)17 miView →
National Capital Trolley MuseumTrain Ride·★ 4.7 (350)17 miView →Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
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Tours & Activities near Ellicott City
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum located?
ELLICOTT CITY, MD 21043
How do I get tickets to Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum?
Tickets and current schedules are available on the operator's official website at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/ecborail.