Pigtown in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
B&O No. 908
"John T. Collinson"
Railroads built office cars for officials directors, stockholders, and other wealthy patrons as early as the 1840s. Used for right-of-way inspection trips and other business travel, these rolling offices provided an observation platform, lounge/office space, bedrooms with wash areas, dining room, and kitchen. Generally, officials traveled with a male secretary and small service crew. Originally a wooden office car, the B&O No. 908 received a steel underframe and sheathing in 1926. It was assigned to various B&O officials, including Chief Engineer (and later President) John T. Collinson.
[Caption:]
Private and office cars were frequently called "mansions on rails" because of their extravagant amenities. Many politicians, like Herbert Hoover, traveled the nation on their private office cars.
[Aside:]
Served B&O officials for 50 years
Built by Chicago & Alton Railroad Shops, c. 1917
B&O Railroad Heavyweight Office Car
Erected by The North American Railway Foundation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Railroads & Streetcars. In
this page online
Location. 39° 17.103′ N, 76° 37.984′ 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 W Pratt St, 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, in the Chesapeake Bay Region, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: American Freedom Train No. 1 (here, next to this marker); Luther G. Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); Connectivity: Street Art
Other markers no longer nearby. First Commercial Railroad Right-of-Way in America (was here, next to 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); Working for the Railroad: Women (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 427 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 23, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on June 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on August 23, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on June 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
