Railroads
Both the turnpike and the canal contributed to the emerging national economy, but the most significant development was the railroad. Railroads had advantages over both roads and canals. Not only were railroads faster and cheaper, but trains could carry more than wagons could, and the railroads wouldn't freeze up in the winter like canals did, allowing full year access.
In 1828, the first railroad project began in Baltimore, and developed over four years to form the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad, reaching 73 miles in length. Once again, like with the National Road, the Panic of 1837 slowed construction, but by 1840, the United States had over 30,000 miles of railroad tracks.
Trains traveled more than twice as fast as a stagecoach and four times as fast as a steamboat, and although water travel was normally much more comfortable, railway travel became more popular due to the speed, reliability, and economic advantages.
In 1828, the first railroad project began in Baltimore, and developed over four years to form the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad, reaching 73 miles in length. Once again, like with the National Road, the Panic of 1837 slowed construction, but by 1840, the United States had over 30,000 miles of railroad tracks.
Trains traveled more than twice as fast as a stagecoach and four times as fast as a steamboat, and although water travel was normally much more comfortable, railway travel became more popular due to the speed, reliability, and economic advantages.
Challenges
Early railroad pioneers faced several challenges:
- tracks with steep grades and sharp curves required more powerful locomotives
- sparks from wood-burning engines caused fires
- brakes were ineffective
- wooden rails topped with iron straps wore out quickly and broke loose, causing dangerous crashes
"[It] transformed the country, made possible the opening of the continent beyond the Mississippi River, invigorated agriculture, trade and industry...a modem industrial nation...would have been inconceivable without steam railroads." |
"The principal single determinant of the levels of investment, national income, and employment in the nineteenth century!" |
Sources used:
The Transportation Revolution Revisited: Towards a New Mapping of America's Transportation Network in the 19th Century (academic journal)
The American People Creating a Nation and a Society (Textbook)
The Transportation Revolution from APStudyNotes (website)
The Transportation Revolution Revisited: Towards a New Mapping of America's Transportation Network in the 19th Century (academic journal)
The American People Creating a Nation and a Society (Textbook)
The Transportation Revolution from APStudyNotes (website)