The main reason for failure occurred because the road competed with an existing steam railroad and was never able to garner enough lucrative freight business.

The FJ&G was formed in 1867 as a steam railroad.

Only after the advent of the steam railroad did the train finally arrive in Syracuse.

Although some steam railroads were very annoyed by the competition, the interurban could be a good source of business.

Charles City's primary revenue business was freight with its connecting steam railroads.

NJI&I was a steam railroad until the late 1940s.

The railroad, which went through the middle of the county, was the first steam railroad in the world.

A steam railroad up the canyon would have been expensive and created a fire hazard as well.

Only after the advent of the steam railroad did that mode of transportation finally arrive in Syracuse.

The Morris Canal, early steam railroads, and the development of the harbor stimulated further growth.