How the Railroad Industrialized America a Track That Unified a Nation

¶ … 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.

Brown's scope surveys the development of the railroad from 1862 through 1869

The construction of the Railroad in the nineteenth century in America had its challenges, and competition between construction companies. The intersection also represents the era of intersection between the Central and Union Pacific. These were critical players in the construction of the railroads. There was competition from the two railroad companies. The Union Pacific company underwent several challenges. Some of the challenges in this route were spring and winter weather. The rail tracts were flooded during spring and replaced with ice debris during winter. The railroad also had to cross-rivers. The conflict between the two rail companies came forth particularly with the resignation of the chief Engineer of Union pacific over a border dispute. The company had to carry meals and supplies on specialized carriages, which was costly and needed sufficient workers. The other problem that the company faced was attacks from Indians. Small surveys parties were subject to Indian attacks, which made it necessary for a Calvary of troops to support constructions. The terrain, on the other hand, proved difficult for engineers and worker alike.

The Central pacific company, on the other hand, needed to construct a railroad on their route. This route had its strategy in building the railroad. The strategy employed by the Central Pacific Company involved, supplies, crewmembers and equipment. The work was in two divisions; the upper division and the lower division. There were engineers' assigned specific duties. Some took the task of constructing tunnels, bridges while they worked under special supervisors. The works at this route started at the end of the American civil war. These workers had their schedule of doing work some drilled holes while other collected debris after explosion. Their workers were faced with the challenge of high temperatures. These meant that worker needed to use ice to cool off in these temperatures that at time exceeded fifty degrees centigrade.

Like Union pacific challenges construction by the Central Pacific faced the challenge of traversing over natural features and constant attacks from diseases and attacks of opposing communities. With the possibility of a civil war and a movement of succession in California, the need of a Railroad became a necessity. Therefore, in the year 1861, a bill was introduced in favor of building a Railroad. However, the bill did not progress to its end, but it was not long that the House of Representatives approved it. The bill came because of succession plans, and Lincoln signed it on July 1, 1862 into law. The act established two main Railroad lines that were the Union Pacific and the Central pacific. The act further encouraged other rail line to construct feeder lines to the two lines. The act further ensured that the federal government relinquished ownership of land to the two Railroad companies (William 2011). The federal government provided land grants, bonds, and even sold tracks of land to settlers.

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.