America 250: B&O Unlocked
Celebrate America’s Story—One Railcar at a Time
The B&O Railroad Museum’s annual Unlocked series returns—this year with a special tribute to America’s 250th anniversary. Each month, step inside a different piece of rail history and experience the stories that helped build a nation. In honor of this milestone, American Freedom Train No. 1 will be opened twice in 2026—January and July—offering a rare chance to celebrate the spirit of freedom and innovation that defines America’s rail legacy.
You’ll also have the opportunity to step inside the newly restored B&O No. 3316 “Washington” Observation Tavern Car.
Become a B&O Member and receive free admission for each collection piece. Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock the doors on these historic pieces!
MARC No. 7100:
Wednesday 6/17, Saturday 6/20, Sunday 6/21 (10 am – 4 pm)
This June, we are unlocking the MARC No. 7100!
The MARC No. 7100 is unlike any other locomotive in the B&O Railroad Museum collection. Built by GM-EMD in 1951 and sold to the B&O Railroad that same year, the No. 7100 began its life as a model F7-A diesel locomotive. In 1980, the locomotive’s 1,5000 horsepower diesel engine was replaced with a “head-end power plant.” The No. 7100 was no longer considered a “real” locomotive, but rather an Auxiliary Power Control Unit (APCU). This means that the unit can control a train from the back end, but it lacks the power required to pull a train on its own.
The No. 7100 serviced the MARC commuter lines until the late 1990s. Today, the APCU is a symbol of technological development and modern commuter rail travel. Don’t miss your chance to step inside the cab and experience the modern railroad from an engineer’s perspective!
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