At the age of fourteen, Van Horne began working on railroads serving in various capacities on the Illinois Central Railroad until 1864, then for the Chicago and Alton Railway for whom he served as the general superintendent from 1878-1879.
Van Horne began working on railroads for the Chicago and Alton Railway for whom he served as the general superintendent from 1878-1879. This was at the age of fourteen. This was then. These railroads were serving in various capacities on the Illinois Central Railroad until 1864.