Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad – History Timeline

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History Timeline of the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O)

1820s–1850s: The pioneering firsts

  • 1827: The Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad is chartered in Maryland to provide an all-weather route to the Ohio River Valley, competing with the Erie Canal.
  • 1828: Construction begins on July 4, with Charles Carroll, the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence, laying the cornerstone.
  • 1830: The B&O becomes the first railroad in the US.
  • 1830: Peter Cooper builds the steam locomotive Tom Thumb for the B&O, proving the viability of steam traction.
  • 1830s: The B&O begins to develop its own locomotives and build advanced bridges, showcasing early civil engineering prowess.
  • 1852: The B&O reaches Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia), fulfilling its original goal of connecting Baltimore to the Ohio River.
  • Strategy: The primary strategy is geographic expansion westward to secure access to the lucrative Midwestern trade and compete with rival cities.
  • Ownership: Initially a mix of private, city, and state investment, Baltimore and Maryland retaining significant early shares. 

1860s–1890s: Civil War and westward expansion

  • 1858–1884: John W. Garrett serves as president, leading the railroad through the Civil War and a period of major expansion.
  • 1861–1865: The B&O plays a crucial role for the Union cause in the Civil War, serving as a vital supply and communication line to Washington, D.C..
  • 1860s–1870s: Expands westward, reaching Chicago by 1874 and St. Louis by 1877.
  • 1877: The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 begins in Martinsburg, WV, as a response to wage cuts, spreading along B&O lines and across the country.
  • 1880s: Expands its passenger service, introducing luxury features and its flagship Royal Blue service between New York and Washington.
  • 1895: B&O becomes the first railroad to use electric locomotives in a tunnel for its passenger service in Baltimore.
  • 1896: The B&O declares bankruptcy following years of overexpansion and financial difficulties. 

1900s–1950s: Reorganization, consolidation, and modernization

  • 1900–1910: Reorganization under the leadership of Leonor F. Loree and later Oscar C. Murray brings stability and further growth.
  • 1901: Purchases the Ohio River Railroad, solidifying its presence around Lake Erie and connecting to Cleveland.
  • 1910–1941: Daniel Willard serves as president, overseeing a long period of prosperity, efficiency, and infrastructure improvements.
  • 1920s–1930s: Under Willard, the B&O remains financially stable through the Great Depression. It becomes a major hauler of automobiles and auto parts.
  • 1927: B&O celebrates its centennial with the “Fair of the Iron Horse,” a grand exhibition of railroading history.
  • 1937: Introduces the first streamlined diesel-electric locomotive on a passenger train in the U.S., a precursor to the end of steam power.
  • 1940s: World War II provides a boost to freight and passenger traffic.
  • Top Commodities: Primary freight includes Appalachian coal, motor vehicles and parts, and chemicals. 

1960s–1980s: The path to Chessie and CSX

  • 1961: Jervis Langdon, Jr. becomes president, fighting to save the B&O from financial collapse.
  • 1963: The more financially stable Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Railway acquires control of the B&O, but the railroads initially operate as separate entities.
  • 1971: Passenger service is transferred to Amtrak, ending the B&O’s historic long-distance passenger service.
  • 1973: The B&O, C&O, and Western Maryland Railway are brought under the ownership of the Chessie System holding company.
  • Marketing Campaigns: The iconic “Chess-C” logo, featuring a silhouette of the C&O’s “Chessie the kitten” mascot, is applied to locomotives and rolling stock.
  • 1980: Chessie System merges with Seaboard Coast Line Industries to form the CSX Corporation holding company.
  • 1983: The Western Maryland Railway is fully merged into the B&O.
  • 1987: The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad is officially merged into the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, ending its independent corporate existence.
  • Today: The B&O’s legacy is preserved through the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, housed in its historic Mount Clare Shops. Much of its original network remains part of the modern CSX Transportation system. 

For More Information – Sources and Resources

The following are excellent resources for those of you wanting to explore and learn more about the history and operation of the Appalachian Railroads. These sources of information also serve as reference and historical materials for Appalachian-Railroads.org. Much of the collective railroad history data points on this website are verified across multiple sources.

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