BOSTON AND MAINE RAILROAD, THE, one of the principal systems in the North-eastern States of the United States, with important connections between New England and the South, the West and Canada, is the result of the gradual amal gamation of I I I separate railroads. Included are the former Boston and Lowell, first steam railroad projected in New England (incorporated June 5, 1830) ; the former Fitchburg railroad, the former Eastern railroad and the original Boston and Maine, an outgrowth of the Andover and Wilmington (chartered in 1833). The present system operates 4,062 m. of track in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and New York. It is admin istered from Boston, the principal terminal. Other terminals and important connection points are at Troy and Mechanicville Rotterdam, N.Y., on the west; Portland, Me., on the east ; Bel lows Falls, White River Junction and Wells River, Vt., and Woodsville, Groveton and Berlin, N.H., on the north; and at Wor cester, Lowell and Springfield, Mass., on the south. The Boston and Maine operates a fast freight service, bringing perishables, coal, raw materials and commodities into New England from the rest of the United States and Canada, and carrying manufactured and other products to the nation's markets. It is also one of the country's largest carriers of milk and potatoes. Serving a thickly populated section with local and commuting passenger service, the road also provides fast through service between Boston and Maine, and Canadian Maritime Provinces, Quebec and Montreal, and via the Mohawk trail and Hoosac tunnel to Chicago and the West ; as well as connecting services between its northern points and New York, Philadelphia and Washington. The Boston and Maine serves visitors to many historic shrines and scenic and recreation spots of New England. The capital of the road (capital stock and funded debt) was, in leased road capital, H.)