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