Which railway company opened the first public railway in the United States in 1830?

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad opened the first common-carrier railroad in the United States in 1830.

The company was chartered in Maryland in 1827 to connect Baltimore with the Ohio River and compete with canals and other ports for western trade. Its first regular passenger service began on the short line between Baltimore and Ellicott's Mills, now Ellicott City, on 24 May 1830.

The railroad experimented with different forms of motive power during its early years. Horse-drawn cars operated alongside steam locomotives before steam became dominant.

The Baltimore and Ohio is often described as the first railroad in the United States, but earlier short industrial and mine railways existed. Its importance lies in being the first major public railroad organised to carry passengers and freight over a growing regional network.