Opening of Richmond Union Passenger Railway

On August 6, 1888, Frank J. Sprague's Richmond Union Passenger Railway inaugurated service with 12 miles of track and 40 cars, marking the birth of modern electric traction. Overcoming steep grades and demonstrating reliable overhead power collection, the system quickly replaced horse-drawn cars and inspired cities worldwide to adopt electric streetcars. Key figures included Sprague, often called the father of electric traction, and local investors who financed the ambitious project. This innovation reduced operating costs dramatically and enabled urban expansion. Its success led to the rapid electrification of transit networks across North America and Europe, fundamentally shaping 20th-century city planning and mobility.