The Military Railway Service was created in the 1920s as a reserve force for the Quartermaster Division of the United States Army. It previously was around twice; first it was set up by President Lincoln during the American Civil War, and then a second time during the Great War or World War One. In the original documentation for the service, all Class I railroad companies were to create a battalion for the war effort. In doing so, a total of 11 Grand Divisions were formed and a total of 46 operating battalions were assigned; however, five were never activated.