The modern street-railway for passenger service is distinctly an American
invention. The first in the world was operated in New York in 1831-1832,
when a horse-car, much like an old English stage-coach, was run on wooden
rails from Prince Street and the Bowery to Yorkville and Harlem,
following, for some distance, the route now taken by the present Madison
Avenue line, which still operates under the original charter of 1831.
This remained the only line in the world until 1852, when charters were
granted for the Second, Third, Sixth, and Eighth Avenue lines.
In 1856 a line was built in Boston, Massachusetts, and Philadelphia
established one in 1857.
In 1860, through the efforts of George Francis Train, the first line was
started in Birkenhead, England, but it was not until 1868 that one was
laid in Liverpool and in 1869-1871 in London.
The first line in Paris was built in 1875, though there had been one from
St. Cloud to Paris since 1856.