From Harper's magazine, Jan. 31, 1858 It's estimated over 7,000 people died in railroad accidents before the Civil War Railroads -- In the late 1830s and early 1840s, increasing numbers of wealthy men saw opportunity to join together to create a “rail road.”  The earliest long rail line ran from Wilmington, NC to Weldon, NC on the Virginia border. Later, Weldon became a major transshipping point to carry slaves from the East to new owners in the Deep South.  Early locomotives were little more than a steam engine set on a flat wood surface with wheels attached to the bottom. The freight and passenger cars were simply open top boxes. Speeds varied from 10 to 35 mph. “Riding the cars “or “taking the cars” was the phrase for “ride the train” or “take the train.” Smoke blew back on the engineer and passengers, sparks frequently burning holes in clothes. If it rained, let’s hope you brought your umbrella. Soon, these cars had canvas tops applied to them and a cover for the en...