1895
131 years ago
OpeningUnited States
Baltimore Belt Line opens
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Baltimore
May 25, 1895
Summary
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad completed its Belt Line, including the famous Howard Street Tunnel.
Full Story
The Baltimore Belt Line opened on May 25, 1895, providing the B&O Railroad with a direct route through Baltimore that eliminated the need for car ferries across the harbor. The centerpiece was the 1.4-mile Howard Street Tunnel, an engineering marvel bored through solid rock using innovative compressed-air drills. This project, driven by president Charles F. Mayer, connected the Philadelphia and Washington divisions and enabled seamless passenger service for trains like the Royal Blue. It dramatically improved efficiency and safety while symbolizing the peak of 19th-century urban rail engineering.
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Quick Facts
- Date
- May 25, 1895
- Event Type
- Opening
- Country
- United States
- Years Ago
- 131
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