What industry was the railways in?

Answer 1

With the cooperation of the US Government, railways became a large part of the USA's transportation industry. Railway systems had existed before & after the American Revolution. However, to expand the country and transport goods, services and people, railway systems between the west & east coast of the USA were a large & ongoing task. The US Government owned allot of the territory between the Mississippi River & the west coast. Railways sought government loans and borrowed money from the US Government. Land grants were made to the railway companies to facilitate this expansion. The steel industry benefited greatly due to the need for steel to make rails and train cars & locomotives.

The US Military also benefited from the expanded railway construction. It allowed troops to reach areas in the West that previously were only available by horse travel.