FRA Certification Helpline: (216) 694-0240

(The following article by Ashley Burrell was posted on the Baltimore Sun website on November 11.)

BALTIMORE, Md. — Snowfall might recall thoughts of skiing, snowboarding and the holidays, but in February 2003, snow brought disaster to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum.

A record-breaking storm dropped three feet of snow, which collapsed the roof of the 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse and severely damaged some of the museum’s historic locomotives and artifacts, including two post-Civil War wooden coaches.

This weekend, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum is finally reopening. More than $15 million was spent on this extensive restoration project. Insurance covered the estimated $10 million cost of repairing the lower roof.

The project entailed not only completely rebuilding the lower roof, clerestory roof and lantern, but also preserving the 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse’s National Historic Landmark status. The Roundhouse is a 22-sided polygon and is the largest circular industrial building in the world.

“We tried to preserve the architect’s design and intent,” said the museum’s executive director, Courtney Wilson.

This weekend, visitors can hear a presentation of the history of the railroad, including the tale of the February 2003 storm and the nearly two-year restoration process that is still under way.

More than half a million pounds of slate and wood remain damaged, frames remain cracked and boilers broken. A Plexiglas exhibit will afford visitors an opportunity to see the damage left from the snowstorm.

“Some of the artifacts will take five to six years to restore, so we have built the exhibit around the damaged locomotives, and we tell a story so that people can see and hear the effects of the snowstorm,” Wilson said.

In addition to the Roundhouse restoration, visitors can view the extensive collection of full-sized locomotives and cars, as well as the new exhibition galleries.

“The new exhibits include the Smithsonian’s Railroad Model Collection, Railroad China and Silver and Clocks, Pocket Watches and Railroad Time,” Wilson said.

Many of the museum’s trains that were unavailable to the public before the collapse are displayed on two outdoor train platforms.

“The motion-activated HO model train layout is displayed in a vintage passenger car, which depicts Baltimore’s port to the Midwest,” Wilson said.

Daily train rides through Southwest Baltimore – which are included in the price of museum admission – will be conducted through next month and during weekends in January. No train rides are scheduled during February and March, but daily rides will resume in April. The museum’s first major event will be the Holiday Festival of Trains Nov. 26-Dec. 30.

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum reopens to the public on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is at 901 W. Pratt St. Parking is free. Adult admission is $14, seniors (60 and older) $10, children (ages 2 to 12) $8, children under 2 and museum members are free. Call 410-752-2490. Visit www.borail.org.