Baltimore City Passenger Railway Power House and Car Barn, Railway power station and tram depot in Baltimore, United States.
The Baltimore City Passenger Railway Power House and Car Barn is a railway power station and tram depot in Baltimore featuring two horizontal single-cylinder engines and specialized equipment for cable railway operations across multiple cities. The southern section houses the power generation operations, while the northern part functions as the storage and maintenance facility for cars.
Built in 1892 in the Romanesque Revival style, this facility served as Baltimore's primary cable traction system and transfer point for the Baltimore & Northern Railway. The building was essential to operating the city's modern streetcar network.
The building transformed from a transportation hub into a multi-purpose gathering space, now housing the Charles Theatre, a bowling alley, and the Famous Ballroom. These uses show how the facility continues to serve as a place where people come together.
Visitors should be aware that the site now contains multiple cultural venues best explored during daytime hours. The location near downtown Baltimore makes it easily accessible by public transportation.
The engineering firm Poole & Hunt manufactured specialized components for cable railway systems and supplied not only Baltimore but also Chicago and Philadelphia with this advanced equipment. This reveals how Baltimore was a hub for cutting-edge transportation technology in the late 1800s.
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