I rad a good quote in an old book by Don Ball, Jr. "Baltimore & Ohio Railroad-was there ever more of a household name among railroads than B&O? The B&O was the first railroad to be chartered (on Feb. 28,1827) and built in America. From history books to Monopoly, the railroad was, and is, I'm sure, the best known of all American railroads".
Is that still true, now that the B&O has been gone for a while? I'd believe, that B&O was one of the most famous American Railroads. Was it one of the best as well?
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
yes the B&O is now in the fold of CSX corporation.But there are still traces of the B&O left here in Ohio.The CPL's and Tower in Deshler,the stone milemarkers on harris road and other county roads.Yes the B&O was good for an "Underdog" railroad.Trains classics did a history of the B&O not to long ago.I'd take a look at it.
stay safe
joe
Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").
Back, when there were--what I suspect largely unfounded--rumors that CSX was considering a name change to something more railroad like, I was wondering why changing its name to the Baltimore and Ohio was not considered.
As mentioned above, it has to be one of the most recognized names in American Railroading. Although, I think UP takes the cake on that one.
Gabe
I think Santa Fe and their war bonnet paint would be high on the list of most recognized names. Growing up, C&O and B&O were just letters on the colorful Chessie cabs.
James
The Butler I think Santa Fe and their war bonnet paint would be high on the list of most recognized names. Growing up, C&O and B&O were just letters on the colorful Chessie cabs.
And before the colorful Chessie units, on plain, dark blue Geeps.
ATSF, and specifically the warbonnets, came to mind immediately when I first read through the thread. That's in no small part due to Lionel.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
gabe As mentioned above, it has to be one of the most recognized names in American Railroading. Although, I think UP takes the cake on that one. Gabe
.....The Pennsylvania RR and it's Keystone {icon}, has to be rated around the most recognized as well.
Perhaps it might have to be rated: Most recognized in the west...UP and Sante Fe
And for the east: B&O and Pennsyslvania RR
Quentin
Modelcar Perhaps it might have to be rated: Most recognized in the west...UP and Sante Fe And for the east: B&O and Pennsyslvania RR
In East St. Louis, there is a concrete overpass over St. Clair Avenue. On the south side is a concrete emblem of the Pennsylvania and on the north side is the B&O. They had a stub end yard on the river, and they travelled east from here generally following U.S. Highway 50. I did a lot of train watching along there when I was working and travelling during the 60's and a B&O unit was a delight to see. The agents in the stations were always friendly and informative. Unfortunately, I was not taking photos then.
As to best known, I'd have to agree it is the Santa Fe, not only because of Lionel but also because they were in so many western movies.
Ishmael:
I was raised east of StL on US 50 near Olney and the B&O had a well maintained line, with track speeds at 60mph. It was really a treat to see those freights, particularly the ones with the SP and Cotton Belt units running thru from East St. Louis.
The line now is not nearly as well maintained, but the CPL signals still protect the line. 40mph seems to be the normal speed limit these days. The line is not nearly as well maintained.
The blue B&O units were classic IMO.
ed
MP173 Ishmael: I was raised east of StL on US 50 near Olney and the B&O had a well maintained line, with track speeds at 60mph. It was really a treat to see those freights, particularly the ones with the SP and Cotton Belt units running thru from East St. Louis. The line now is not nearly as well maintained, but the CPL signals still protect the line. 40mph seems to be the normal speed limit these days. The line is not nearly as well maintained. The blue B&O units were classic IMO. ed
I have always wondered what steam and passenger operations look like on this line and wether they were analagous to B&O operations out east.
P.S. I think the B&O blue was classic as well. But, then again, I like the IC's orange and white, so maybe I am not the best judge of such artistic talent.
I never got to know the B&O when it was an independent railroad. But from its clean-lined steam locomotives of all sizes, its classy blue-and-gray diesel paint scheme (with metal logo plates, no less!), and the unique signal system, the railroad struck me as being aristocratic. (It might have helped that it was Royal Blue!) Maybe PRR and NYC slugged it out with each other, but B&O had too much class for that.
However, I think that it found itself in trouble before the other eastern railroads, and had to be rescued. C&O did that (with lots of motive power and freight and passenger equipment, among other things) in 1963. I think NYC was interested in controlling them for a time.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
Murphy,
To your question was B&O "one of the best American Railroads", I suspect it depends on how many "best" you would allow for or how you define best.
Being one of the first B&O invented many things simply because they had no choice. Took about 30 years to get to the Ohio River, at Wheeling WV which was soon reduced to branch line status. That first 30 years had tremendous political struggles with the states of VA and PA which forced them into an inferior route west of Cumberland MD. The reward of the pioneer is often arrows in the back.
The Old Main Line between Baltimore and Point of Rocks had good grades once the inclined planes on Parr's ridge were bypassed but curves were very sharp. Those curves are why the grasshoppers and crabs were as suceessful as they were. The Old Main Line was finally straightened out a bit in 1908 and survives today due to shorter miles and lower grades than the main thru Washington DC. If Obama puts coal out of business, the old main may also go.
The railroad suffered much in the Civil War and after the war the NYC and PRR eclipsed B&O as a "trunk line' between Chicago and the Eastern Seaboard, so for that reason it I would not consider it one of the best. The steam show between Grafton and Keyser was doubtless among the best, but that was because the route was such a collection of mountain grades. That show was a very high cost, low profit, operation. Which do you value raifan show or investor profit?
The B&O long had a sense of history, probably more than any other US railroad. I highly recommend a visit to Mount Claire in Baltimore. The old equipment will amaze you!
Mac
When the B & O celebrated its centenary in 1927, it had a cavalcade of locomotives, just like the London & North Eastern Railway in Britain had done two years previously to celebrate the centenary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
I dont know how many locos that were in the B & O cavalcade of 1927 survive to-day, but one that does is the former Great Western Railway (England) 4-6-0 #6000 "King George V". This loco was the latest British express passenger loco back then and is to-day preserved at the Swindon Steam Museum in Swindon, England. Two identical locos are also preserved in working order.
Tulyar15 When the B & O celebrated its centenary in 1927, it had a cavalcade of locomotives, just like the London & North Eastern Railway in Britain had done two years previously to celebrate the centenary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. I dont know how many locos that were in the B & O cavalcade of 1927 survive to-day, but one that does is the former Great Western Railway (England) 4-6-0 #6000 "King George V". This loco was the latest British express passenger loco back then and is to-day preserved at the Swindon Steam Museum in Swindon, England. Two identical locos are also preserved in working order.
Note this was scaned large...dial ups beware!
http://usera.ImageCave.com/mmi16/IMG_0002.jpg
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I think the reason the B&O is still famous is that every kid eventually sees it on the Monopoly board and needs to know what the letters B&O stand for. Once learned, never forgot.
For history fans, here's a link to download a 30-second silent film clip of 4 B&O steam engines
http://www.corbismotion.com/Popups/ViewClipDetail.aspx?clipID=7fffb707-0000-c8f9-2b02-162b20291941
wanswheel I think the reason the B&O is still famous is that every kid eventually sees it on the Monopoly board and needs to know what the letters B&O stand for. Once learned, never forgot. For history fans, here's a link to download a 30-second silent film clip of 4 B&O steam engines http://www.corbismotion.com/Popups/ViewClipDetail.aspx?clipID=7fffb707-0000-c8f9-2b02-162b20291941
Johnny
DeggestyI understand that a new edition of Monopoly does not have railroads; I do not know what is replacing them. To me, it would not be the same game, even though it is many years since I have played.
The new version has none of the "landmarks" from your old version of Monopoly - they did a survey and have included landmarks from around the country.
The railroads have been replaced by airports: JFK, Chicago's O'Hare, Los Angeles' LAX and Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson.
Well I suppose everyone's heard of Amtrak, if we count that as a railroad??
Union Pacific has the advantage of keeping it's name (and colors) through the mess o' mergers that railroading has gone through over the decades. Plus it's steam program keeps it in the news, there were many newspaper stories about 3985's recent trip up here to Minnesota for example.
It was noted by Ron Hollander in his book "All Aboard: The Story of Joshua Lionel Cowan and his Lionel Train Company" that when you say "electric train" to someone from the baby boomer generation, the image that pops into their head is a Lionel F3 in ATSF warbonnet paint under the Xmas tree. I don't know, given that ATSF has been gone for 13 years now, how true that would for younger folks today.
tree68The new version has none of the "landmarks" from your old version of Monopoly - they did a survey and have included landmarks from around the country
That kinda shows how much the railroads are not even recognized much at all on the current daily scene....Insignificant. Personally, I believe they are an important factor in this country's transportation system and do services that can't be done by other systems. Bulk movements come to mind....products that go into our daily food products. Coal haulage to power plants to supply daily requirements, and of course many other type of products. Not to mention people transportation in busy corridors on a daily routine.
tree68 DeggestyI understand that a new edition of Monopoly does not have railroads; I do not know what is replacing them. To me, it would not be the same game, even though it is many years since I have played. The new version has none of the "landmarks" from your old version of Monopoly - they did a survey and have included landmarks from around the country. The railroads have been replaced by airports: JFK, Chicago's O'Hare, Los Angeles' LAX and Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson.
What kept B&O going for so long? I thought C&O was the one with the coal traffic?
Murphy Siding What kept B&O going for so long? I thought C&O was the one with the coal traffic?
B&O lives forever in history for transporting Presidents from Jackson to Truman.
B&O station in 1872 (demolished 1907) photo Maryland Historical Society
http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3c10000/3c11000/3c11900/3c11965v.jpg
BaltACD Murphy Siding What kept B&O going for so long? I thought C&O was the one with the coal traffic?Before there was a Rust Belt, there were very active steel mills in Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Cleveland and Gary, IN. Raw materials and finished products were a big part of the B&O revenue stream. Additionly autos and parts were a signifigant part of revenues servicing GM assembly plants in Lordstown, Baltimore & Wilmington as well as a number of other GM facilities. Throw in coal to Great Lakes Piers in Lorain & Painesville as well as coal to the Curtis Bay Coal Pier for export and you have the cornerstones of the B&O revenues.
Well, for what it's worth Union Pacific has its own version of "Union Pacific-Opoly." - a.s.
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