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Steam locomotive is invented
The steam locomotive or "train" is built in England. It was built by George Stephenson and Richard Trevithick. -
Public Railroad is Built
The first public railway is built in England. It was called the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. It was authorised by the act of parliment in 1826. -
The first railroad in North America is built
The first railroad in North America was built. It was called the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. -
U.S. mail is carried on the rail for the first time
U.S. mail was carried on the rail for the first time on the South Carolina Railroad. -
More and more railroads are built
There are now 2,800 miles of rail in operation in the U.S. -
The golden age of railroads begin.
The golden age of railroads begin. For almost half a century, no other transportation challenged rail. -
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Rail is challenged
Other modes of transportation challenge rail. Automobiles eventually become the most popular form of transportation. This puts a dent in the profit that the rail industry once had. -
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Rail goes bankrupt
Penn Central Transportation Company declared bankruptcy on June 21, 1970. At the time, this was the largest bankruptcy in American history.