American Railroad Company of Puerto Rico

Company History: The American Railroad Company of Puerto Rico was established in 1902 by New York investors to acquire and expand the former government owned 3’ gauge line on the island. By 1907, the line ran from San Juan on the north coast of the island, west to Aguadilla then turned south along the coast to Cabo Rojo then east along the south coast to Ponce – covering a bit over half the circumference of the island. The development of highways on the island doomed the railroad. It slipped into bankruptcy in 1947. Employees banded together and formed Puerto Rico Railroad & Transport Company to resume operations but problems persisted. Passenger service ended in 1953. The sugar industry continued to use the railroad until 1957 when the line was abandoned. Local sugar companies continued to operate short segments of line until the 1990s.

Brief History: The U.S. is a country of 50 states covering a vast swath of North America, with Alaska in the northwest and Hawaii extending the nation’s presence into the Pacific Ocean. Major Atlantic Coast cities are New York, a global finance and culture center, and capital Washington, DC. Midwestern metropolis Chicago is known for influential architecture and on the west coast, Los Angeles' Hollywood is famed for filmmaking.