railroads

Did you know that the idea for trains started in Germany? In 1550, some roads in Germany had wooden rails. They ran along the road. They were called “wagon ways.” These roads were used for wagons pulled by horses. They were easier than traveling on dirt roads.

In 1776, metal rails were made. The rails were made of iron. They were called “tramways.” They were very popular. They went all over Europe. A man named William Jesse had an idea. He made wheels with a groove, or cutout edge. These wheels helped the wagons move faster on the iron rails. The wagons were still pulled by horses.

The steam engine came next. A man named Richard Trevithick wanted to move people and things from place to place without using animals. He made the first steam engine. It could carry 10 tons of iron, 70 men, and five wagons for 9 miles in two hours.

A man named John Stevens put all of these ideas together. He is called the “father of the American railroad.” He showed how steam trains would work. He got the first charter railroad.

Each new idea has made traveling easier and faster.