60 
Transactions Texas Academy of Science. 
were used to pull cars up inclines which they descended by gravity. An 
English engine was used on the Carbonsdale and Homesdale Tramroad 
in 1828; but not successfully. The first American locomotive that was 
successfully operated was built at West Point and placed on the South 
Carolina Railroad in 1830. This line was then ten miles long and was 
increased to 136 miles by 1833. 
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was perhaps the first railway in the 
United States to put into successful operation a system of transportation 
for freight and passengers. This line was begun in 1828 and 15 miles 
were open for traffic in 1830 It was operated by horse power till 1831 
when the use of steam power was inaugurated. This line reached a 
length of 67 miles in 1832. 
From 1830 dates the remarkable growth of railway building in xhe 
United States. At first short lines were chartered and built to promote 
the welfare of some special city or enterprise. For a time they were re- 
garded as properly feeders for canal systems. Gradually the length of 
the lines increased; and as their number multiplied; consolidations were 
effected and the foundations of our present gigantic railway systems laid. 
The discovery of gold in California and subsequent rapid growth and de- 
velopment of the western portion of our continent and the necessity for 
the establishment of some means of rapid communi cation and transpor- 
tation with the same; led to the conception of our immense transconti- 
nental systems which with liberal government aid were projected and 
carried to successful completion. 
The following table will indicate the rapid and remarkable growth of 
our railway systems in the United States after the successful inaugura- 
tion of locomotion by steam power in 1830. 
At End of Year. Miles in Operation. Increase Over Previous Year 
1830 
23 
.... 
1835 
1,098 
1,075 
1840 
2,818 
1,720 
1845 
4,633 
1,815 
1850 
9,021 
4,388 
1855 
18,374 
9,353 
1860 
30,626 
12,252 
1865 
35,085 
4,459 
1870 
52,922 
17,837 
1875 
74,096 
21,174 
1880 
93,296 
19,200 
1885 
128,296 
35,000 
1890 
166,817 
38,521 
1899 
192,398 (approximate) 
11„486 
1895 
180,912 
11,486 
