Pennsylvania legislature charters the Meadville Railroad Company to build a railroad from Meadville, PA to Erie, PA.
Meadville Railroad Company is organized and William Reynolds is named president.
The Pittsburgh and Erie Railroad Company transfers its branching rights to the Meadville Railroad Company for $400,000. This legally entitles the Meadville Railroad to build branches connecting Erie Railroad, New York City Railroad, and the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad.
The Meadville Railroad ratifies purchase of the branching rights and enters into a contract with A.C. Morton for construction of the railroad.
A. C. Morton enters into a construction contract with the Erie and New York City Railroad. Morton and Henry Doolittle go to Europe to negotiate for iron and money. They return empty-handed and the construction contract with Morton is cancelled. A new construction contract is made with Henry Doolittle and W. S. Streator.