Archives & Library

Hays T. Watkins Research Library 

Established in 1991, the B&O Railroad Museum’s Hays T. Watkins Research Library & Archives is dedicated to the history and preservation of American railroading, emphasizing the legacy of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and other significant railroads located in the region, such as the Western Maryland Railway, the Chessie System, and CSX Transportation. The bulk of the research library holdings document the history of the B&O Railroad from its beginnings in 1827 to the 1970s and place the history of the B&O in the broad context of social, cultural, political, and economic trends in the United States of America.  

Research

The Hays T. Watkins Research Library is dedicated to the history and preservation of American railroading.

Archives & Library Collections

The B&O Railroad Museum’s archives and library are dedicated to the history and preservation of American railroading, emphasizing the legacy of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and other significant railroads located in Maryland.

Employee Records Search

Have a relative who worked for the B&O Railroad during the 20th Century? Learn how you can access their records through this program.

African American Railroading Oral Archives

The African American Railroading Oral Archives, in partnership with Union Baptist Church, collects stories related to the experiences of African Americans around the railroad and the transportation industry.

B&O Railroad Relief Department Collection

The B&O Relief Department Collection contains the records of thousands of B&O employees who participated in the first employer-managed insurance program in the railroading industry.

Hours 

The Research Library is open Monday-Friday from 10 AM-3 PM by appointment only. Please complete the Researcher Registration Form to begin your research or to schedule a visit. 

Contact Information 

Email: Research@BORail.org 

Research & Donation Line: 443-627-2375