How the transcontinental railroad industrialized nineteenth-century America

¶ … railroad industrialized America, a Track That Unified a Nation

How the railroad industrialized America

In the nineteenth century, the railroad system of the United States of America came to life. The systems' sole purpose was to transport people and goods across the country. Railroad system in the country began on the East and moved westwards. The move to the west resulted in development of towns, which further made the system branch to meet other regions in the state. These resulted in a web like rail system over the country. These had an impact on the life, culture and the way of life for the people of America. The railroad system in America in the nineteenth century interconnected various societies. The railroad systems at that time decreased work time since people were able to travel easier. People were able to travel great distances with the invention of the railroad system.

In the nineteenth century between the years, 1863- 1869, the first transcontinental railroad came into operation in the United States of America. The system, whose original name was pacific Railroad, brought immense development in the country. The systems' intention was to connect all of the county's railroads. The system connected the pacific coast with existing eastern rail systems. The interconnection of these systems was at Iowa, Missouri river, and Council Bluffs. The film further brings into one's realization that 10th of 1869 was the point at which rails joined at the Utah territory. This event came into light with the "Promontory Summit." This was the birth of the Transcontinental Railroad, which extended the frontier for the purposes of movement of populations (Grant and Bohi 1978). This railroad system meant that the people of America had an opportunity to transform their place of living and way of life with ease.

Effect of Railroad System

The advent of the railroad system in America in the nineteenth century meant that people improved their way of life. Railroads made people move goods in bulk and travel with ease. Railroad network expanded markets for traders; this made the availability of goods and markets expand within the country. This made it easier for a product in New York to make it out to the western market in a quicker time. One comes to the realization that the railroad system made people obtain a wider variety of goods in almost every place (Jeff 2012). During the period before the construction of the Railroad system, individuals were unable to access new markets with ease, buy a large variety of goods, or even obtain foreign goods.

The railroad system's development in the land of America allowed settlement of people. Settlements thrived on the railroad network since people were able to move great distances and obtained products easily for survival. Families were able to move to distance places and make homes. These brought up towns and village like settlements as well as markets. The system did not only facilitate the development and settlement but further extended markets. This made people start up businesses providing an opportunity for sale and production of goods. In that situation where goods in a region overtook, demand the railroad system provided an opportunity for transportation to other markets. However, the Rail system had its negative or a positive influence on the American Civil War depending on one's focal point (Grant and Bohi 1978). The railroad system allowed the move of military equipment and soldiers to greater distances. The system had positive influence on the development on societies as well as their military strategies. This therefore, made further development of the Railroad a priority for all in the community. The influence of the railroad system was a crucial factor for winning wars for various war factions in the United States of America in the nineteenth century.

Ending the nineteenth century, there were five railroads interconnections in America. These contributions reflect on the positive transformation of the economy of the society at that time. This rail system came into realization with the assistance of the federal government through land grant. The obtaining of land by companies and the state ensured that there was enough land to construct the rail tracks and those companies could construct railroads with the help of federal funds. Railroad construction was not an easy task. It meant that workers had to endure uncomfortable environmental conditions. This crew had to lay tracks over natural features such as deserts, mountains, over rivers and through forests (Grant and Bohi 1978). The construction of the system attracted diverse character of people. Some of those who benefited from this construction dealt in illegal, legal or looked for a way to gain quick profit. Considering these aspects one has to realize that; however, much the railroad led to negative implications, the positive side of the system is worth mentioning. The system opened up settlement in the west, provided a base for development, and stimulated economic opportunities in the country.

Transcontinental Railroad Engineering and Technology (Golden Spike)

To proclaim the majestic structure of the Transcontinental Railroad in the United States of America, one has to refer to the importance of the Promontory Mountains. This is the place where the very first Transcontinental Railroad was completed. The date of completion was on May 10, 1869. The marvelous structure of the tract at this period moved through Sierra Nevada while moving towards the union pacific (Jeff 2012). The construction work with the help of workers, who included Chinese, came to a halt when the railroads met at the summit of the promontory mountain. Trained Chinese men laid the last stretch of the railroad in twelve hours before the beginning of the ceremony.

The event coded "golden Spike" signify the meeting point of two railheads. The occasion significance relates to the wedding of the two rail tracks. Engineering and technology of the railroad was crude at that period. The company used considerable finance and workforce to construct the railroad. Faced with the challenge of cutting rocks, making deep canyons and cutting through granite these companies made over fifteen tunnels. During construction, movement of materials was by way of wagons. The construction workers were mainly of Chinese origin. These groups of crewmembers succeeded to move through the desert, and showing a tremendous effort of human engineering (Jeff 2012). However, their involvement in these massive projects meant that the cost of construction had to go up and that a number of them were injured or even died. The accomplishment of the construction of the intercontinental railroads in America is the greatest accomplishment of engineers of its era.

While crossing the Sierra Nevada, the Central Pacific had constructed approximately fifteen tunnels. Activities of these workers revolved around sinking tunnels, workers labored over of time. The labor was so intensive that worker labored in almost every climatic condition. With these to consider, there is recorded history of where an entire crew during the construction died after being swept by snow. Because time was a factor in completing the task, members of the crew used heavier power, which proved dangerous and affected the clarity of lines. Boring machine usage was part of the technology, and these meant that workers worked in shifts. The means of transportation to the sites were sledges, locomotives, and ox teams. Explosives used in exploring rocks were made of nitroglycerine.

Boom and decline of Railroad

During the era of the nineteenth century, Railroads was the best mode of transportation through the great plain of America. People would assemble and travel to other regions while others welcome travelers. The railroad system was of great importance to the community. There was depot sites where goods and passengers could land. The railroads developed into a perfect business where travelling tickets came into use while passengers had to pay for all services. These led to the development of different building being set up to handle freight services. This boom meant that companies and innovations came into life. Some of these companies designed depots, where passengers could buy food and other services.

Railroads indeed led to the growth of towns; this meant that railroad companies and affiliated organizations had to comply with communities' regulations and its political elite. However, with the invention of other modes of transportation, Rail transports lost its glory. By the early twenties century, railroad depots were not in use, trains carrying passengers were abandoned for automotives. Another aspect that had a tremendous effect on Railroads' transport was the Great depression, which cut into its profits. It was more expensive to run railroad engines that used firewood. Steam locomotive were substituted to diesel powered locomotives a cheaper option. Further changes in communication technology limit the use of agents in every location (A&E 1995). These challenges and other factors led to the closure of several companies. Up to date, there are some depots open to the public but a majority of exact buildings and stations remain under the owners of private individuals. Some of these structures act as museums.

Growth, rejection and Rebirth of Railroads

Railroads have had an impact on the economy of United States of America. This mode of communication and transportation opened up local areas. Post cards letters and other modes of communication passed through Railroads. These drastically cut the cost of transportation and moving freight as well as transporting passengers (Albro 1992). The train network stimulated other industries like telegraphy and steel. They also increased the importance of towns. Railroads, on the other hand, encouraged invention of modern forms of businesses. This invention, on the other hand, encouraged the development of fields of study. These meant that various job opportunities came into existence for residence. Railroads became popular in the society that it became a huge business enterprise and thus created large corporations.

However, with the Great depression, the Railroad business suffered losses making some companies pull out of business. Nevertheless, with all of the negative sides of the Railroads, with large demographics and the creation of new businesses, the Railroad system still is crucial for the economy of America. The Railroad system has now transformed with technology changes. The rail transport remains the most important form of transport since it received many funds in the form of land grants that they hold to this moment (William 2011). This form of transportation has attracted many foreign and domestic investments making it a crucial part to the economy. With the discovery of precious metals as well as a commitment from private and public pockets, the country has industrialized (Albro 1992).

Regulations of the Railroads

Before the invention of the Railroads, Americans moved their goods and passengers using horse drawn wagons. The invention of the Railroads systems meant that the economy of the country was on the way to improvement. According to John (1997), the Railroad assisted the country in entering foreign markets. These called for the establishment of regulations and laws. Railroad of America improved the communication system of America, and goods and services moved with ease. Railroads had gained popularity in the nineteenth century but faced stiff challenges from trucks, jets, and Automobiles. These resulted in a decline of passenger and freight services. These meant that companies owning Railroad businesses had to restructure their strategies. Some of these companies closed shop while other merged to beat the competition. With this, legislations and Acts were necessary to ensure that these merging companies had their rights protected. These and other statutes relating to Railroad business came into effect with seconding from the United States Supreme Court.

Mergers saved these companies huge costs. These costs relate to labor costs and maintenance costs. Perhaps the most crucial merger of the era was that of Pennsylvania and New York Central Railroad companies. This merger got the approval of the Supreme Court however; it was soon to be one of the biggest business blunders after Penn Central filed for bankruptcy. After this business failure, the federal governments' response was to create a National Railroad Passenger Corporation to reprieve struggling corporations (John 1997). From this moment, the government had transformed its regulatory control on railroads. These further meant that operating companies had to seek permission from the state before increasing or altering rates.

The relationship between the state railroads companies drastically changed at the end of the century. This comes into light in the Staggers Act. Considering this act, one points out that the signing of the Act, loosened regulations on mergers, marketing, ratemaking, and abandonments (John 1997). This deregulation by the state was a delight from rail executives, but it would have been important if it were a century older. When one observes the current boom in the Railroad industry, considerations need to place importance of deregulation by the federal state. This deregulation resulted in cutting costs while the advancement of technology freight movement has reached a record high.

Social Effects of Railroads

The growth of the Railroad had economic effects on the economy as well as social influences on the people of the country. Fast movement of goods and people also meant that culture and other influences traversed borders. For over two hundred years, since its inception the system has created changes on the people. These road networks have an influence on the civilization of humankind. There has been an improvement in technology, which is a tool for social improvement. The railroads gave America an opportunity to interact with the rest of the world. It has had an influence on the behavior of individuals, changed working patterns of people, as well as living patterns. It acts a symbol of democracy to the American people where individuals change their notions on public space and interactions.

The system had an influence on the way people interacted and communicated. Talking on the train as a simple human activity improves interactions between individuals. These trains made accessibility of places easier. It was now easy for individuals to migrate to new places make new homes and friends. The future of the rail system opened up the whole world. From Europe, Asia, Africa and all the regions of the world the Railroad system has had an influence on individuals (William 2011). Culture perhaps has a base on Railroads. This also led to the biggest mistake that human ever did to the environment and social relationships of human beings. It was due to the growth of Railroads that slavery occurred an event that still bare future consequences, and it also opened up the world for industrialization a perfect remedy for global warming and eventual destruction on the earth for those with such doctrines.