The First American Railroad - Essay Example

The first American Rail Road Introduction The world’s fastest train found in china and can reach top speed of almost 500 kilometers per hour. It is an electric train on modern railroad. However, railroad has a very long and interesting history. The first railroad is unimaginable and hard to conceive unless by viewing the historic pictures and illustrations. The first American railroad named “Granite Railway” is arguably the first railroad in U.S. This narrative shares the wonderful history of the first American railroad.

First American Rail RoadThe early 1800 presented an age of industrial revolution in America as well as the rest of the world. Mining and transport of mining products to factories and industries presented a very big challenge to the transport industry. This prompted engineers to think of a way to hold the wheels of horse drawn carts from sinking under the weight of mine ores. The first American railroad was inaugurated in 7 October 1826 in a small town called Quincy in Massachusetts. According to a report by Granite Railway Company (GRC), “On the morning of October 7, 1826, at Quincy, the first railroad in America was opened, and under the direction of a young engineer by the name of Gridley Bryant, the first cars drawn by horses passed over it, carrying huge blocks of granite from the Bunker Hill Quarry to a wharf on the Neponset River, a distance of two and three-quarters miles” (GRC 1).

This first rails were made of wood held together with wooden struts. After continued use, these wooden rails began to buckle under the weight of the cars thus strips of iron were added on top. Not all these developments would have been possible without the invaluable contribution of engineer Gridley Bryant. Without him, it would not have been possible to transport mined granite ore from Bunker Hill quarry. Although the iron strips could prolong the lifespan of the wooden rails, it greatly reduced the lifespan of the roller wheels.

In the middle of 18th century, iron wheels were introduced and hence the problem shifted to making stronger rails. By the end of 18th century, all iron rails became a reality. The completion of the railroad in Quincy just marked the beginning of robust development of railroads. Loco motions were later invented and this led to opening of new railroads. Baltimore-Ohio railroad opened on 1830 and was later extended to Maryland. Mohawk-Hudson opened in late 1828. Baltimore-Ohio railroad is arguably the first commercial railroad in America after Granite railways in Quincy.

Although it first used horse drawn commercial cars, the horses were later replaced with steam locomotives. Baltimore-Ohio railroad spanned approximately thirteen miles and it is believed to be the first common carrier railroad. It is claimed, “The first "official" passengers rode in horse-drawn carts from Mount Clair in Baltimore to the Carrollton Viaduct being constructed on January 7th 1830. On May 24th , the line was complete all the way to Ellicotts Mills” (Baltimore and Ohio 1).Conclusion Although it is difficult to determine with extreme certainty the first railroad in America, Granite Railway Railroad is believed to be the first railroad.

Later developments in rail technology led to construction of Baltimore-Ohio railroad, which was the first American common carrier railroad. Nevertheless, railroad has undergone a milestone development to its present status. Works CitedGRC. A History of the Origin and Development of the Granite Railway at Quincy, Massachusetts. 1926. Web 28 November 2011< http://thomascranelibrary.org/legacy/railway/firstrr1.htm> Baltimore and Ohio. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Web 28 November 2011