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The Influence Of The Railroad On American Culture

958 Words4 Pages

The railroad has been a part of American culture for more than one hundred years. The ability to transport products is essential to every Americans everyday life. The railroad has always been a fascinating subject, full of childhood memories. It brought quick methods of transport that were previously limited to horses and waterways. The effected ranged from farmers, business owners, to consumers. The railway spread at such a quick speed it may have given a sense of false hope. Without a modern railway, America’s progression and ultimate place in the world would not have been so prominent. The invention of the railway was one of America’s greatest successes. 1.1? The sound of a train brings back memories of childhood. Hot Texas nights would lead to sitting under open windows. The sounds of crickets and the nightly trains in the distance would fill the air. The rails were always good for squashing pennies and making fond memories. A train ride also brought excitement of family reunions, new adventures and beautiful scenery. Family that spent years apart could always …show more content…

The ability to transport products at never before seen speeds brought new consumer goods to market quickly. People were rapidly buying up new products they had only before seen in magazines. With the spread of the transportation industry becoming more prevalent, the products themselves became cheaper and more common. Thus, leading to an industrial boom. The quick expansion of the railroad created an artificial sense of national growth, causing many Americans to have a false sense of security in their ability to prosper. This quick expansion and false sense of security came to a resounding stop as the stock market crashed in 1929 and the 10 year great depression resulted. …. This consumer based market is still in place today. Although products transported today are steal, coal, crude oil, agriculture, and building products. The railway industry is still an important part of American

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