• Preserve the physical legacy and experience of American railroading, and to interpret and present its history to the widest possible audience.
   
• Develop programs which broaden and deepen public appreciation of the past, present and future significance of the railroad industry in the development of American life, especially in the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland, and the region.
   

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum is dedicated to fulfilling its vision by:

• Collecting, preserving, documenting and presenting representative objects, skills, and communal records from all facets of the railroad industry.
   
• Collecting, preserving, and interpreting historical railroad documents, data, and research for public access.
   
• Presenting railroad history to a broad public audience in the context of American history research and interpretation.
   
• Developing educational outreach programs.
   
• Creating ongoing substantive interactions with the surrounding community, city and region.
   
• Striving to become a model of professionalism in railroad history and historic preservation, with emphasis on better integration of railroad museum activities with appropriate academic disciplines, railroad enthusiast organizations, and the larger historic preservation and museum communities.
   
• Pursuing prudent administrative & financial management to ensure short and long-term survival and growth.