B&O Railroad Museum Unveils AmericanRail200.org to Celebrate U.S. Rail Bicentennial
B&O Railroad Museum Launches AmericanRail200.org to Celebrate 200 Years of Railroading in the U.S. A defining chapter in American history is nearing a major milestone, and a new digital initiative is ensuring the entire nation can be part of the commemoration. The B&O Railroad Museum, the recognized birthplace of American railroading, has officially launched AmericanRail200.org, a dynamic, user-friendly online hub designed to serve as the central platform for celebrating the 200th anniversary of American railroading in 2027.
The year 2027 marks two centuries since the founding of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O)—the first commercial railroad chartered in North America on February 28, 1827. That moment ignited a transportation revolution, connecting distant regions, accelerating commerce, and laying down the literal and figurative tracks that helped shape the United States into the nation it is today. Now, as the bicentennial approaches, AmericanRail200.org invites individuals, communities, museums, educators, artists, cultural organizations, and transportation stakeholders to come together in a nationwide celebration.
A National Digital Hub for a Historic Celebration
AmericanRail200.org is envisioned as more than just a website—it’s a collaborative digital commons. Functioning as a centralized source for events, updates, educational resources, and cultural programming, the site allows users from all backgrounds and locations to both discover and contribute to the 200th anniversary festivities.
“This bicentennial is not just about trains,” said Kris Hoellen, Executive Director of the B&O Railroad Museum. “It’s about commemorating an industry that laid the foundation for American society as we know it. Railroads helped define our economy, our timekeeping system, labor movements, national holidays, and even the way we think about cross-country travel. Through AmericanRail200.org, we’re giving everyone—families, students, artists, historians, and industry leaders—the opportunity to participate in honoring this rich legacy.”
One of the site’s key features is its event submission portal, which allows users to post their own celebrations—whether it’s a local train festival, historical reenactment, museum exhibition, railroad photography show, educational lecture series, or themed concert. Once submitted, events become visible to a national audience planning their 2027 travels. The website aims to become a coast-to-coast calendar for all things related to the railroad bicentennial, encouraging Americans to explore the depth of railroading’s influence in their own regions.
An Inclusive, Grassroots Approach
Unlike many top-down commemorations, AmericanRail200.org is built with a grassroots philosophy, emphasizing inclusivity and collaboration. Individuals can share stories, historical research, artwork, videos, and more. Museums can promote their exhibits and archives. Educators can post curriculum ideas and programming. Tourism bureaus can showcase railroad-related landmarks in their areas. The aim is to make the bicentennial celebrations truly national in scope and diverse in perspective.
“Whether you’re a history buff, a rail enthusiast, or simply proud of your community’s connection to the railroad, this platform enables you to share your voice,” added Hoellen. “The 200th anniversary isn’t something to observe passively—it’s a chance to actively shape the story of what railroading has meant, and continues to mean, to America.”
Early Partnerships Across Industries
To ensure a broad and impactful reach, the initiative is already gaining traction with founding partners spanning the public, private, and cultural sectors. These include national museums, major sports teams, heritage railroads, and Class I freight carriers, all of whom are pledging either to host celebratory events or to use their platforms to amplify the railroad’s contributions to American life.
Becoming a partner involves committing to one or more of the following:
- Hosting or co-sponsoring a bicentennial event in 2027
- Sharing stories and content highlighting the railroad’s influence
- Promoting AmericanRail200.org to audiences and stakeholders
- Collaborating with other institutions to build national awareness
By involving organizations from a variety of fields, AmericanRail200.org hopes to paint a complete and multifaceted portrait of how railroads have influenced—and continue to influence—nearly every aspect of American society.
The Historic Legacy of the B&O Railroad
The decision to launch this platform through the B&O Railroad Museum is both symbolic and practical. The B&O Railroad, chartered in Baltimore in 1827, was the first common carrier railroad in the U.S., designed for the commercial movement of both freight and passengers. The legacy of the B&O lives on not only in the infrastructure it helped pioneer but also in the many societal systems it helped introduce.
Few industries can claim the depth of influence that railroads have had on American development:
- Time Zones: The standardization of time across vast geographies was implemented by the railroads in the 1880s to prevent scheduling chaos.
- Labor Rights: Organized labor movements, including the first major U.S. strike (The Great Railroad Strike of 1877), found their footing within the railroad industry.
- National Unity: The completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 symbolized the physical and economic unification of East and West.
- Cultural Milestones: Railroads helped institutionalize holidays such as Mother’s Day, partly due to increased mobility and communication.
- Emergency Response: Some of the earliest organized emergency response systems evolved from rail safety and dispatch protocols.
Even today, America’s rail system remains a critical backbone of national infrastructure. Amtrak transports over 28 million passengers annually, while freight railroads facilitate over $2 billion in daily commerce, making it one of the most economically efficient and environmentally sustainable modes of transportation in the modern U.S.
With just two years remaining before the bicentennial, the planning window is now open. AmericanRail200.org encourages early engagement to ensure that as many communities and organizations as possible can prepare, contribute, and promote their involvement in the celebration.
From small towns whose development sprang up around a depot, to sprawling cities with once-bustling train stations, to scenic railways and model train clubs, every facet of America touched by the railroad is invited to join.
“There’s a reason they say railroads built America,” said Hoellen. “In 2027, we have the chance to celebrate that legacy in a way that’s modern, meaningful, and above all, unifying.”
Whether you’re looking to attend an event, organize your own, explore railroading history, or partner with the initiative, AmericanRail200.org is the place to start. Visit the website today to explore the story of American railroading—and to be part of its next historic chapter.