<P> The western end of the line was simultaneously built from Pittsburgh east along the banks of the Allegheny and Conemaugh rivers to Johnstown . PRR was granted trackage rights over the Philadelphia and Columbia and gained control of the three short lines connecting Lancaster and Harrisburg , instituting an all - rail link between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh by 1854 . In 1857 , the PRR purchased the Main Line of Public Works from the state of Pennsylvania , and abandoned most of its canals and inclined planes . The line was double track from its inception , and by the end of the century a third and fourth track were added . Over the next 50 years , PRR expanded by gaining control of other railroads by stock purchases and 999 - year leases . </P>
when did the prr first begin its passenger service between pittsburgh and philadelphia
by 1854