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Railroads Take the West

Monopolies and the Transcontinental
Train going to the west

On May 10, 1869, the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads united to create the Transcontinental Railroad, transforming coast-to-coast travel and shipping.

Connectivity Expansion and Westward Reach
The Transcontinental Railroad's impact extended with the construction of side tracks, linking previously unreachable areas in the West.
Railroad Network Growth: Side tracks proliferated, fostering economic and social development in remote regions.
Railroad Dominance and Economic Impact
Railroads dominated transportation, establishing a monopoly and increasing costs.

Economic Struggle for Farmers
The railroad monopoly hit farmers hardest, escalating shipping costs.
Farmers' Dilemma: Rising transportation expenses made it difficult for farmers to ship products, showcasing broader economic consequences.

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Why did the railroad companies increase their prices with the expansion of railroad track to the West?

The business expenses were very high compared to the number of train travelers.

Railroad companies knew people would pay a lot for a much faster and safer way to travel west.

The government regulated the prices of the railroads and taxed them to pay Civil War debt.

The railroad companies increased their prices with the expansion of railroad tracks to the West because they held a monopoly on transportation and were able to charge higher prices due to the lack of competition. Additionally, they faced high business expenses related to the construction and maintenance of the tracks, as well as the operation of the trains. The demand for faster and safer travel to the West also allowed the companies to raise prices, knowing that people were willing to pay for the convenience. Additionally, the government did not heavily regulate prices at the time, allowing the companies to set their own rates.