Private company

Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad

Railway company, later part of the Pennsylvania Railroad

The Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad (PW&B) was an American railroad, headquartered in Philadelphia, that operated in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland from 1836 to 1902. It merged with three other state-chartered railroads in 1838 to create a single line between Philadelphia and Baltimore.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

Grays Ferry Inn PW&B flatcars 1870s
Photo: Robert Newell, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons3

The Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad (PW&B) was an American railroad, headquartered in Philadelphia, that operated in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland from 1836 to 1902. It merged with three other state-chartered railroads in 1838 to create a single line between Philadelphia and Baltimore.2

Acquisitions

  1. Succeeded Baltimore and Potomac Railroad1
  2. Succeeded Columbia and Port Deposit Railroad1
  3. Succeeded New Castle and Frenchtown Turnpike and Railroad Company1
  4. Succeeded by Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington Railroad1