Iron Tracks Worksheet
Cambridge Railroad News
Established 1853 • Historical Reading Series
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
The First Horsecar
In the mid-19th century, traveling between Cambridge and Boston was no easy feat. People relied on heavy stagecoaches that bumped along uneven dirt roads. Everything changed in 1853, when the Massachusetts General Court granted a charter to the Cambridge Railroad Company. This was the first step in creating the first street railway in New England.
Construction began shortly after the charter was issued. Workers laid iron tracks directly into the street surface, which allowed special cars to glide smoothly even when the roads were muddy or snow-covered. After three years of hard work, the line finally opened for public service on March 26, 1856.
These early "trains" didn't use steam engines. Instead, they were pulled by teams of strong horses. On opening day, thousands of curious residents lined the streets to see the brightly painted horsecars travel from Harvard Square into the heart of Boston. The trip was faster, smoother, and cheaper than the old stagecoaches.
The railroad was an instant success. By 1858, only two years after opening, the company reported carrying over two million passengers annually. Seeing this success, other cities began building their own street railways, modeled after the Cambridge system.
As the city grew, the horsecars struggled to keep up with the demand. In 1887, the Cambridge Railroad merged with several others to form the West End Street Railway. This new, larger company sought a more powerful way to move people. Finally, in 1889, they began replacing the horses with electric power, marking the end of the horsecar era and the beginning of the modern trolley system we recognize today.
Timeline Mastery
Harvard to Boston
Next Stop: Progress
Tracking the Events
1
Sequence the Rails
Read the events below from the history of the Cambridge Railroad. Number them from 1 to 6 in the order they occurred in the passage.
The Cambridge Railroad merges to form the West End Street Railway.
Electric power begins to replace the teams of horses.
The Massachusetts General Court grants a charter for the railroad.
The company carries over two million passengers in a single year.
Horsecars officially open for public service between Cambridge and Boston.
Construction begins as iron tracks are laid into the street surface.
2
Signal Word Scout
Authors use "signal words" to show the passage of time. Find three words or phrases from the text that help you know when things happened (Example: "After three years").
3
Cause and Effect
According to the passage, what specific event led to the "end of the horsecar era"? Why did this happen last in the sequence?
Iron Tracks Slides
Iron Tracks
The Story of the Cambridge Railroad
Before the Rails
Before 1856, traveling between Cambridge and Boston meant taking a stagecoach.
- Bumpy, uneven dirt roads
- Muddy in spring, snowy in winter
- Slow and expensive travel
A New Invention
1853
Charter granted to start New England's first street railway.
1856
Opening Day! Horsecars begin service on March 26.
1858
Success! Over 2 million passengers in one year.
Why were tracks better?
-
1
Smooth glides on iron rails
-
2
Horses could pull heavier loads
-
3
Independent of road conditions
FASTER • SMOOTHER • CHEAPER
Modern Motion
1887
Merger creates the West End Street Railway.
1889
Electricity begins to replace horses!
The Cambridge Railroad paved the way for the T system we use today.
Let's Sequence!
What happened first, middle, and last?
Stagecoach Travel
Horsecar Rails
Electric Trolleys
Turn to your neighbor: Why was this the order of events?
Iron Tracks Answer Key
Answer Key
Iron Tracks: Cambridge Railroad History
Teacher Resource
Task 1: Sequence the Rails
5
The Cambridge Railroad merges to form the West End Street Railway.
6
Electric power begins to replace the teams of horses.
1
The Massachusetts General Court grants a charter for the railroad.
4
The company carries over two million passengers in a single year.
3
Horsecars officially open for public service between Cambridge and Boston.
2
Construction begins as iron tracks are laid into the street surface.
Task 2: Signal Word Scout
Accept any three of the following or similar variations found in the text:
"After three years..."
"By 1858..."
"Finally, in 1889..."
"Shortly after..." or "In 1887..."
Task 3: Cause and Effect
Sample Answer:
The event that led to the "end of the horsecar era" was the replacement of horses with electric power in 1889. This happened last because the city grew so large that horsecars (pulled by animals) struggled to keep up with the demand for faster, more powerful transportation. It was the final technological step mentioned in the passage, following the merger into the larger West End Street Railway.
