First known railroad in England was built in Newcastle mine area on XV century. Loads were moved on these roads of course using human or horse power. In XVII century began overcoming manufacturing to mechanized industry. More and more machines were invented and taken in use, most important of them certainly universal steam machine, constructed by James Watt in 1765. To it he received on 25th of April 1769 famous patent number 913.
Big factories rise instead of handcraft manufactures.
It was not possible with horse transportation. True, in 1769 French artillery officer Nicolas Joseph Cugnot built first steam chariot, made first ride and first traffic accident, too. Vehicle with weight almost five tons, which, of course, did not have power steering, lost maneuverability, rammed stone wall and pushed it down. James Watt Richard Trevithick Thanks to efforts of inventors James Watt, William Murdock and especially to Richard Trevithick chars using steam machine became more perfect so much, that in the beginning of XIX century had England pretty lively steam-bus traffic, long distance lines were working and even traffic plans were in use. Still steam char did not satisfy passengers, especially big manufacturers, for price for travel was high and roads were really bad.