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Leiper Railroad

The Leiper Railroad was a 'family business–built' horse drawn railroad of 3⁄4 mile (1.2 km), constructed in 1810 after the quarry owner, Thomas Leiper, failed to obtain a charter with legal rights-of-way to instead build his desired canal along Crum Creek. The quarry man's 'make-do' railroad was the continent's first chartered railway, first operational non-temporary railway, first well-documented railroad, and first constructed railroad also meant to be permanent.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

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The Leiper Railroad was a 'family business–built' horse drawn railroad of 3⁄4 mile (1.2 km), constructed in 1810 after the quarry owner, Thomas Leiper, failed to obtain a charter with legal rights-of-way to instead build his desired canal along Crum Creek. The quarry man's 'make-do' railroad was the continent's first chartered railway, first operational non-temporary railway, first well-documented railroad, and first constructed railroad also meant to be permanent.2

Sources

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