In the first seven years of railroading in Michigan (1830–1837), the Michigan Territorial Council approved charters for 23 private railroad companies. Of these, only five completed and opened lines, and then for a total in-state (excluding Ohio) length of only .
In the initial period of railroading in Michigan (1830–1837), the Michigan Territorial Council authorized charters for 23 private railroad companies. Only five of these constructed and opened lines, with a total in-state (excluding Ohio) length of .