August 25, 2025: The Washington, D.C. Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, Inc. regrets to advise you that the Martin F. O’Rourke Memorial Railroad Library’s collection is currently closed for access until further notice. The physical library which was in Bowie, MD at the Huntington Railroad Museum site within the Bowie Railroad Tower hasContinue reading “DCNRHS Announces Temporary Closure of Library”
Author Archives: DOVER HARBOR (DCNRHS)
Train Spotting Day 2024
The Sunday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the busiest day of the year along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, which is located next to and clearly visible from Bowie Tower where our Library is located. Come on out this year December 1st and enjoy the parade of trains. The entire museum complex will be open 10:00 am –Continue reading “Train Spotting Day 2024”
Library Open House & Book Sale – 10/5/24
2024 Old Bowie Celebrates Festival will be held again this year on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM in Old Town Bowie. The library will be open and participating in this popular and well attended event. We will be having one of our “famous” book and railroadiana sale events as part of theContinue reading “Library Open House & Book Sale – 10/5/24”
Library Director Wanted
We are actively seeking a volunteer to Chair our Library Committee and be the Director of our Library. The duties are light and time commitment is a few hours a month, with an occasional committee meeting at the Library. No experience required, just an appreciation of books and railroads. On the job TRAINING will beContinue reading “Library Director Wanted”
Free 2024 Calendar
Our library is owned and operated by the National Railway Historical Society, Washington, D.C. Chapter, Inc. Each year we publish a calendar featuring our classic Pullman DOVER HARBOR. Feel free to download and share with all your friends our 2024 calendar. Happy Holidays. For more information about DCNRHS see our web site.
Historic Photo at Bowie Tower
At Bowie, MD, Penn Central diesel locomotive #7240, with Conrail caboose #23147 pointed north on the Pope’s Creek Secondary just short of where it joins the Northeast Corridor. The location is adjacent to the current Bowie Railroad Museum complex. Bowie Tower is visible on the right in this photo at its original trackside location. PCContinue reading “Historic Photo at Bowie Tower”
Train Spotting Day 2023
The Sunday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the busiest day of the year along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, which is located next to and clearly visible from Bowie Tower where our Library is located. Come on out this year November 26th and enjoy the parade of trains. The entire museum complex will be open 10:00 am –Continue reading “Train Spotting Day 2023”
DCNRHS Railroad Library Book Sale
The NRHS Washington, DC Chapter (DCNRHS) will host a RAILROAD BOOK SALE on Saturday and Sunday August 12-13, from noon to 4, at the Martin F. O’Rourke Memorial Railroad Library. To learn more about the library visit it’s web site at https://railroadlibrary.org/ . All sale proceeds will be used to benefit the Library. The booksContinue reading “DCNRHS Railroad Library Book Sale”
Join us November 27th, 2022 for Train Spotting Day
The Sunday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the busiest day of the year along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, which is located next to and clearly visible from Bowie Tower where our Library is located. Come on out this year November 27th and enjoy the parade of trains. The entire museum complex will be open 10:00 am –Continue reading “Join us November 27th, 2022 for Train Spotting Day”
Video of Train Day at the Library 11-28-2021
If you didn’t get to join us for Train Day this year, check out the video and see what you missed. Make plans to join us in November, 2022, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, November 27th. Special thanks to DCNRHS’ Guerin Goldsmith for pulling this together.
Railroad Library 