Baltimore And Ohio Railroad Flashcards, test questions and answers

Discover flashcards, test exam answers, and assignments to help you learn more about Baltimore And Ohio Railroad and other subjects. Don’t miss the chance to use them for more effective college education. Use our database of questions and answers on Baltimore And Ohio Railroad and get quick solutions for your test.

What is Baltimore And Ohio Railroad?

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is one of the most iconic and historically significant railroads in American history. Established in 1827, it is the oldest continuously operated railroad in the United States. The original mission of the B was to compete with other railroads for freight traffic between Baltimore and Ohio, though it eventually grew to become a major transportation route between the Midwest and Eastern Seaboard. Throughout its storied history, the B has been responsible for a number of innovations that revolutionized American railroads, including being among the first lines to adopt standard-gauge track, introduce air brakes, electric signals, rotary snow plows, sleeping cars with reclining seats (Pullman sleepers), and diesel-electric locomotives.In addition to its significance as an early innovator in railway technology and operations, the B also played an important role in American political history. It became known as the Freedom Railroad during its use by slaves escaping from Maryland via Ohio into Canada after passage of The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. By transporting escaped slaves on so-called Underground Railroad trains at night without any passenger manifests or paperwork for their safety ensured they were not detected by authorities on either side of state borders until they had safely crossed into Canada beyond reach of U.S. law enforcement agencies.