B&O Railroad Museum Unveils Restored Luxury Observation Tavern Car B&O No. 3316 in Honor of Black History Month
Lounge car represents height of luxury rail travel and the legacy of African American workers who made it possible
Baltimore, MD — In honor of Black History Month, the B&O Railroad Museum will unveil the newly restored Baltimore & Ohio Railroad No. 3316 “Washington” on Saturday, February 21, from 11 am to 3 pm. Built in 1949 by the Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company, the No. 3316 is an observation tavern car that represents both the height of luxury rail travel and the enduring legacy of African American railroad workers who made that experience possible.
The unveiling is a celebration of how the railroads provided meaningful opportunities for African Americans. It will feature a presentation by Chief Curator Jon Goldman, exploring the history of the car and its connection to the Pullman porters, as well as insights from B&O Restoration Expert Jamie Partridge, who spent the last two years overseeing the car’s comprehensive interior and exterior restoration. Together, these perspectives will highlight the human stories at the heart of the No. 3316’s legacy and the craftsmanship behind its the restoration. The program will also include a musical element curated by award-winning musician, performer, and B&O Board Member Wordsmith. He has assembled a trio of outstanding jazz musicians—Troy Long, bandleader and pianist; Devron Dennis, drums; and Will Hazlehurst, bass—who will perform a selection of jazz standards and original-inspired arrangements spanning the 1920s through the 1970s, reflecting the eras when railroads were central to American industry, travel, and cultural exchange.
The No. 3316 operated on the B&O’s premier passenger trains, including the Columbian, Ambassador, and Capitol Limited. The car’s streamlined Art Deco design have been carefully restored to reflect its historic appearance and ambiance. The luxurious interior features a 17-seat observation lounge and a 24-seat tavern with a semi-circular bar and a mural of DC’s famous cherry blossoms. The exterior exemplifies Streamline Moderne design with smooth, aerodynamic lines, stainless-steel finishes, and expansive rear-facing windows, creating a sleek, modern profile intended to signal speed, progress, and elegance at the end of the train.
That luxury was made possible by Black porters, waiters, and stewardesses. The Pullman Porters, as they were known, gained steady employment, nationwide mobility, and access to income and information that allowed many to educate their children and invest in their communities. The job of the Pullman Porter is frequently credited with paving a pathway to the middle class for African Americans; the Pullman company from approximately the 1860s to the 1920s was the largest employer of African Americans in the United States following the civil war. The first African American labor union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, was formed by Pullman Porters and played a critical role in advancing labor rights and the broader Civil Rights Movement.
“The No. 3316 is a show piece both in terms of the incredible art deco interior featuring a beautiful bar and mural and the more significant story it conveys about Pullman Porters,” said Kris Hoellen, Executive Director of the B&O Railroad Museum. “Our restoration staff are true craftsmen, and everyone who steps inside the car will feel they have been transported back in time.”
Now on permanent display at the B&O Railroad Museum, the restored No. 3316 “Washington” offers visitors an immersive look at both luxury rail travel and the stories of the workers who powered it. The car will also be available for rental for special events, providing a one-of-a-kind historic setting.
The unveiling celebration is included with general admission to the Museum, which is $12-$20. The Museum is located at 901 W. Pratt St, Baltimore, MD, and offers free on-site parking.
The cosmetic restoration of the B&O #3316 Washington Observation Tavern Car was supported in part by funding from a Federal Save America’s Treasures grant administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Baltimore National Heritage Area through the City of Baltimore general obligation bond program, and a Heritage Grant from the National Railway Historical Society.
About the B&O Railroad Museum
The B&O Railroad Museum, located in Baltimore, Md., is the birthplace of American railroading, a National Historic Landmark, a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate, and a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site. It is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American railroading and its impact on American life, socially, culturally and economically. The Museum is home to the oldest, most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Western Hemisphere, including an unparalleled roster of 19th and 20th century railroad equipment, over 30 million archival documents, the 1851 Mt. Clare Station, the 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse as well as the first mile of commercial railroad track ever laid in America. The Museum welcomes guests annually from all 50 states and 40 countries. For more information about the Museum, please call 410- 752-2490 or visit www.BORail.org. For more information on the 200th anniversary of American railroading in 2027, please visit www.americanrail200.org.
Media Contact:
Stephanie Jayakanthan
B&O Railroad Museum
sjayakanthan@borail.org
520-233-3947 (cell)
