ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of rail transport in the United States

Rail transport in the United States is one of the oldest modes of transportation in the country. It dates back to the early 1800's when steam locomotives were first being used to transport passengers and goods. In the early days of rail transportation, the rails were mainly built in the East and ran from major cities like New York and Philadelphia to smaller towns across the country. As the rail lines expanded, factories, towns and businesses grew alongside them, making it easier for people to travel further distances. By the late 1800's, the country had a large network of railroads running across it, transporting people and goods between all parts of the United States.

Over the years, railroads played an important role in the development of the country. As the industrial revolution took off in the United States, more efficient railways were being built to transport large amounts of goods. During this time, railroads also became major employers, with hundreds of thousands of people working on them. During WWII, the railways were used to transport troops and supplies all over the country, playing an important role in the war effort.

Today, rail transport in the United States is used primarily to transport freight and passengers, but is still an important part of our transportation system. Although there are fewer railroads today than in the past, it is still an important mode of transport for many parts of the country and the world.