Baltimore, Maryland

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Baltimore – A Key City for Appalachian Railroads

Even though Baltimore is just outside of the Appalachian region, it holds key importance to the commercial development of Appalachia. Baltimore is home to the nation’s first railroad, and that same railroad is the first rail line that made it from the Atlantic Ocean to the Ohio River. In those early days, the city was motivated to bring goods to their city’s seaport, but the commerce that was generated by the railroad brought much more than just additional business and revenue for their port.

Birthplace of the nation’s first railroad

Baltimore holds a significant place in the history of American railroading, considered the birthplace of the nation’s first major railway, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O). The city’s railroad history is woven with innovation, fierce competition, strategic mergers, and continuous adaptation to the changing demands of transportation. 

Importance of railroads to early Baltimore

At the dawn of the 19th century, Baltimore, a burgeoning port city, faced a pressing challenge. New York’s success with the Erie Canal threatened to siphon off the crucial westward trade that fed Baltimore’s economy. Baltimore’s merchants and bankers recognized that without a more efficient and competitive transportation system, the city’s economic vitality was at risk. In a bold and forward-thinking move, they turned to a new and unproven technology: the railroad. The B&O Railroad, chartered in 1827, was Baltimore’s strategic gamble to connect its port to the fertile Ohio River Valley and beyond, aiming to reclaim its share of the western trade and ensure its continued growth as a major commercial center. 

Railroads serving Baltimore (by date)

Here is a chronological overview of some of the key railroads that served Baltimore:

  • Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) (1827): The first steam-operated common carrier railroad in the United States, chartered by Baltimore merchants to compete for Western trade. Construction began in 1828 and the first 13 miles to Ellicott’s Mills (now Ellicott City) opened in 1830. The B&O played a crucial role in the Civil War, serving as a vital supply route for the Union Army. It was the first company to operate a locomotive built in America (the “Tom Thumb” in 1829), and to publish a timetable (1830).
  • Baltimore and Port Deposit Railroad (1832): A key predecessor to the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR).
  • Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad (PB&W) (1832): Formed through mergers of several smaller lines, the PB&W was a significant competitor to the B&O, particularly for traffic along the Northeast Corridor. It eventually became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad system. Penn Station in Baltimore was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1911.
  • Western Maryland Railway (WM) (1852): The Western Maryland Railway was chartered as the Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick Rail Road Company in 1852 and became the Western Maryland Rail Road Company the following year. While headquartered in Baltimore, the WM was primarily a freight and coal carrier that operated through western Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, with a strong presence in Cumberland. The WM was eventually acquired by the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) and B&O in the 1960s.
  • Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington Railroad (PB&W) (1902): Formed when the Pennsylvania Railroad merged two of its southern subsidiaries, including the earlier Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad.
  • Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in Pennsylvania (1912): A subsidiary of the B&O, facilitating its operations within Pennsylvania. 

Competition among railroads

Competition was a defining feature of Baltimore’s railroad history, particularly between the B&O and the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR). The B&O initially held sway over routes to Washington D.C. and westward. However, the PRR and others challenged the B&O’s dominance, leading to intense rivalry that sometimes involved political maneuvering. The PRR-predecessor PB&W directly competed with the B&O for traffic between Philadelphia and Baltimore. This competitive environment fostered innovation and expansion, benefiting Baltimore with diverse transportation options. The Western Maryland also competed with the B&O, particularly in western Maryland and Pennsylvania. 

Mergers and modern railroads

Significant mergers in the late 20th century transformed the railroad industry. In 1973, the Chessie System holding company was formed, bringing together the B&O, C&O, and Western Maryland Railway. The Chessie System then merged with Seaboard Coast Line Industries in 1980 to form CSX Corporation. The WM was formally merged into the B&O in 1983, and the B&O was then merged into the C&O in 1987. C&O was finally absorbed into CSX Transportation in 1987, ending the corporate existence of these historic railways. Today, CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern are the main freight railroads in Baltimore. Amtrak provides intercity passenger service, including Acela trains, and MARC offers commuter rail service. 

CSX Howard Street tunnel project

The historic Howard Street Tunnel, a crucial part of Baltimore’s rail infrastructure, had insufficient clearance for modern double-stacked intermodal containers. To address this limitation, CSX launched the Howard Street Tunnel Project. This public-private partnership involves lowering the tunnel floor and other modifications to allow double-stack trains. The project extends beyond the tunnel to improve clearance along the corridor to Philadelphia, benefiting the Port of Baltimore and Maryland’s economy. CSX is aiming for completion of the tunnel by November 2025.

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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Would enjoy hearing from you if you have questions, suggestions, edits, or content that you are willing to share. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have similar interests in the railroads or model railroading.

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