Between 1860 and 1900 railroads opened many doors in American civilization, and also helped to settled the West. Railroads provide Americans new economic opportunities, by having people
working on the railroads helping with the building of more tracks, engines, and to fill other jobs was one of the most common ways of new labor opportunities. Another function that contribute in the rise of United States was the liberation - increasing mobility and speed across the continent - as well as confining: they held the power of economic life, and death over many communities, often abusing that power. The railroad helped people as well. Railroads could deliver supplies quickly and fairly inexpensively. This was crucial for some towns in more rural areas, because it meant they could get any good they needed. Railroads as well were of crucial importance in stimulating economic expansion, but their influence reached beyond the economy and was pervasive in American society at large.
In conclusion Railroads eventually became the nation's number one transportation system, and remained so until twentieth century