With loans from British investors, this 363-mile-long U.S. project was built from 1817 to 1825
[DOC] [TLE] Development of the American Railroad Network During the Early ... [PAR] Oct 12, 2001 ... directed economic development through state enterprises, loan guarantees, and 
direct .... That is, as numerous small projects, each one of which was justified on 
its ..... By 1856, 914 miles of railroad were built, at a cost of $33.4 million.