By Alex Mayes
More than 70 were on hand on August 22 to enjoy the Baltimore Chapter’s annual BBQ and celebrate the Chapter’s 90th anniversary.
In 1936, during the Great Depression, many railroads and streetcar companies were in financial trouble or being abandoned. A group of railfans in the Baltimore area banded together to preserve the history of Baltimore’s railroads, streetcars, and interurbans. They applied for and were accepted to become the 3rd chapter of the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) to help with their preservation efforts.
The idea of establishing an NRHS chapter grew out of the Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Electric Railway (WB&A) bankruptcy in 1935. George F. Nixon and Russell Wilcox led the effort to form the Baltimore chapter, which held its first charter trip was on the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad from Baltimore to York, Pa. , in September 1939. The Baltimore Chapter has been active for nine decades, preserving the rich railroading history of the Baltimore area, which includes the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The chapter maintains the Maryland Rail Heritage Library, the largest of its type in the country; hosts monthly meetings; and participates in preservation and educational activities.
The Chapter’s 90th anniversary celebration was acknowledged in conjunction with the Chapter’s annual BBQ at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum (BSM) on August 22, 2026. Attendees were treated to a whole roasted pig, BBQ chicken, potato salad, barbequed beef, coleslaw, corn on the cob, sliced watermelon and cantaloupe and mac and cheese. A huge birthday sheet cake was served as dessert along with chocolate layer cake and an assortment of cookies and bars. The BSM ran two vintage streetcars for this event: PCC No. 2168, built by the St. Louis Car Company (of St. Louis, Missouri), in 1948 for the Philadelphia Transportation Company; and openair car No. 1164, built by the J.G. Brill Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1902 for United Railways and Electric Company in Baltimore.
The Baltimore Streetcar Museum was founded as a non-profit organization on June 8, 1966, by several members of the Baltimore Chapter NRHS. The city of Baltimore agreed to build the museum and lease it to the nonprofit organization for one dollar per year. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 4, 1967. Opening day was August 30, 1968. The BSM has a diverse collection of vintage streetcars, several of which are in service and carry visitors on a 1¼ mile electrified line which was once the main line of the Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad.
The chapter’s 90th anniversary celebration was a very well-planned and run event. Many thanks to our Chapter Secretary and Programs Co-coordinator Cynthia Atwood who arranged the catering and cake, and to Charlie Plantholt for coordinating use of the BSM on behalf of the Chapter.
BBQ attendees line up at the buffet table to fill their plates with an assortment of outstanding choices as PCC No.2168, built by the St. Louis Car Company in 1948, looks on.
A special sheet cake celebrating the chapter’s 90th anniversary was ordered from a local bakery.
One of the highlights of the buffet table was a whole roasted pig.
Chapter members and guests socializing as they enjoy their meals.
Chapter members and guests socializing as they enjoy their meals.
Chapter members and guests socializing as they enjoy their meals.
Chapter Membership Chairman Tom Cook (right) presents the NRHS 50 Year Membership Certificate and Pin to Edwin Kraft.
Chapter Membership Chairman Tom Cook (right) presents the NRHS 60 Year Membership Certificate and Pin to John Amhrein. John is a Vice President of the Chapter and the Director of the Chapter’s Maryland Rail Heritage Library.
Chapter members and guests enjoy a ride aboard the BSM’s vintage open air car No. 1164, built by the J.G. Brill Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1902 for United Railways and Electric Company in Baltimore.
PCC No. 2168, built by the St. Louis Car Company (of St. Louis, Missouri), in 1948 for the Philadelphia Transportation Company poses for photos on the turning loop.
Chapter Secretary and Programs Co-coordinator Cynthia Atwood (left) takes a much-needed break during the Chapter’s 90th anniversary celebration.
Chapter President Garry Pace cuts the first slice of the 90th anniversary sheet cake.
The motorman of PCC No. 2168 provides an interesting history of this vintage streetcar to chapter members and guests.
President Garry Pace (center) presented a $5,000 check to BSM Executive Vice President Chris McNally. This is a Baltimore Chapter donation to BSM’s current work to restore the former Maryland and Pennsylvania Railroad roundhouse located along the track 1/2 mile from the BSM. Chris McNally thanked the Chapter for the check and expresses appreciation for the 60-year bond between the BSM and the Baltimore Chapter. The BSM is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
