Pigtown in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Main Line Electrification of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) 1895

IEEE Milestone in Electrical Engineering and Computing

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 29, 2019

1. Main Line Electrification of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) 1895 Marker

Inscription. On 27 June 1895, at the nearby Howard Street Tunnel, the B&O demonstrated the first electrified main line railroad, and commercial operation began four days later. The electrification involved designing, engineering, and constructing electric locomotives far more powerful than any then existing and creating innovative electric power generation and distribution facilities. This pioneering achievement became a prototype for later main line railroad electrification.

Erected 2012 by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O), and the IEEE Milestones in Electrical Engineering and Computing series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 27, 1895.

Location. 39° 17.126′ N, 76° 37.997′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Pigtown. It can be reached from West Pratt Street east of South Schroeder Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 901 West Pratt Street, Baltimore MD 21223, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Connectivity: Street Art at the Intersection of Rail, Community, & Identity (here, next to this marker); B&O Railroad Museum (here, next

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to this marker); CSX Corporation (here, next to this marker); Luther G. Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); Pullman Troop Sleeper No. 7437 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Old Relay Station and Hotel (about 300 feet away); First Stone of the Balt. & Ohio Rail Road (about 300 feet away); Mount Clare Shops (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.

Other markers no longer nearby. Working for the Railroad: Women (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); B&O No. 908 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); First Commercial Railroad Right-of-Way in America (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Camp Carroll (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Working for the Railroad: African Americans (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 29, 2019

2. Main Line Electrification of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) 1895 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 526 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.