and its subsequent failure as a state bank, the consequent distress in
local financial circles--all conspired to shift the monetary center of
the country to New York.

It was at this time that Philadelphia capitalists began to bestir
themselves in an attempt to recover their lost opportunities.
Philadelphia must share in this trade with the Central West. The
designs of the Baltimore and Ohio Company must be defeated by bringing
Pittsburgh into contact with its natural Eastern market. To this end,
the Pennsylvania Railroad was incorporated on April 13, 1846, with a
franchise permitting the construction of a railroad across the State
from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh. An added incentive to constructive
expansion was given by an act of the Legislature authorizing the
Baltimore and Ohio to extend its line to Pittsburgh if the Pennsylvania
Company failed to avail itself of its franchise.

In order to avoid the heavy cost of constructing a road between
Philadelphia and Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania Railroad entered into
arrangements with the Philadelphia and Columbia--a railroad opened in
1834 and owned by the State--which ran through Chester and Lancaster to
Columbia. This road was primitive in the extreme and used both steam and
horse power. As late as 1842 a train was started only when sufficient
traffic was waiting along the road to warrant the use of the engine.
Belated trains were hunted up by horsemen. Yet the road was in those
days famous for the "rapidity and exceptional comforts of the train
service." Between Columbia and Harrisburg passengers westward bound had
to use the Pennsylvania Canal.

Construction of the main line westward to Pittsburgh began at once and
progressed rapidly. By making use of the Alleghany Portage Railroad from
Hollidaysburg, the Pennsylvania Railroad eventually secured a continuous
line from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh. But between Philadelphia
and Harrisburg passengers were for a long time subjected to many
inconveniences. Finally in 1857 the Pennsylvania Railroad bought the
Philadelphia and Columbia from the State, rebuilt it, and extended it
to Harrisburg. At the same time the Pennsylvania bought the main line of
the Public Works, which included the Alleghany Portage Railroad. On
July 18, 1858, the first through train passed over the entire line from
Philadelphia via Mount Joy to Pittsburgh without transfer of passengers.
At the same time the first smoking car ever attached to a passenger
tr