History of Railroads in the United States — In 1826, the first railway in the United
    States of America began operation. It ran from Milton to Quincy Massachusetts
    and the cars were drawn by horses.

Northern Pacific Railroad and Genealogy — "These pages offer links to more than
    one hundred pages of information about the Northern Pacific Railway. It also includes
    links to the railroad-related pages of agencies associations, corporations and individuals
    covering the Northwest, British Columbia,
    and Alaska." - web site quote.

Railroad Genealogical Society — "Railroads played a huge role in American history. This
    was especially true in the settlement of the west, where entire communities were
    established as "railroad towns". In some of these, nearly every family was engaged in
    some aspect of railroading, or in supplying the families who were." - web site quote.

Railroad Retirement Board — "The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is an independent agency in the executive branch of the Federal Government. The RRB's primary function is to administer comprehensive retirement -survivor and unemployment-sickness benefit programs for the nation's railroad workers and their families, under the Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment Insurance Acts. In connection with the retirement program, the RRB has administrative responsibilities under the Social Security Act for certain benefit payments and railroad workers' Medicare coverage. " — quoted from the web site.

Researching Old Railroads — "The westward growth in the United States was accelerated by the introduction and expansion of railroads. People no longer had to depend on moving exclusively by horse or wagon; they could travel more quickly by rail. Coincident with the westward population expansion was the growth in business of all types. Population growth demanded increases in products and services, and the increase in farming, mining, business, and other financial opportunities helped fuel the movement of people westward to seek a better life." — George G. Morgan, quoted from the web site.