History of railroads in the US By tns0326 Mar 12, 1825 1st test track in Hoboken, NJ was developed Jan 20, 1828 Baltimore and Ohio railroad was the first railroad chartered in the United States Jun 20, 1830 The South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company was formed Oct 30, 1853 The first "Union Station" of the world was created in Indianapolis, IN May 10, 1869 The completion of Transcontinental Railroad Nov 12, 1887 Congress creates the Interstate Commerce Commision to regulate railroads Mar 12, 1901 The American Locomotive company was formed Apr 13, 1971 Congress created Amtrack Mar 12, 2012 President Woodrow Wilson orders nationalization of the railroads