1841, "business of making or running railways;" 1842, "travel by rail," from railroad (n.).
Entries linking to railroading
railroad n.
1757, from rail (n.1) + road. Originally "road laid with rails for heavy wagons" in mining operations. The process itself (but not the word) seems to have been in use by late 17c. Application to passenger and freight trains dates from 1825, tending to be replaced in this sense in England by railway.