The early railroads of New York’s Capital District were among the most important in the country. The New York Central, born from the merging of the first railroads in the state, became the famous “Water Level Route” that transported goods and people in the most economical manner to the West. The Delaware and Hudson, running roughly south to north, became the famous “Bridge Line” to the Adirondacks and Canada in addition to providing much of New York State with anthracite coal used in manufacturing. The Boston and Albany became the primary outlet for the city of Boston, then one of the country’s most important cities. By the late 1800s, these systems were firmly established and served as vital transportation systems for the entire nation.