How did the railroads revolutionize industry and business in the late 1800s?

Prior to the building of railroads in the USA, starting in the 1830's with the Baltimore & Ohio railway, things such as letters, food, and goods would take months, or even a year, to be moved around the nation from the east coast to the west coast. However, railroads around Baltimore, New York City and along the east coast quickly proved that they were the way forward for the world. They moved goods much quicker, and once a connection from east to west was established transit time would only take 10 days. It was labour intensive, but it had good pay, and they benefited the USA greatly, as railroads also had throughout Europe. Hell in Europe railroads were even winning wars because they could quickly move troops and supplies. In the American Civil Warm, both sides utilized the railways to move troops and supplies and often would raid the enemy railway lines because they were vital for the war effort.

Railroads change the history of US transport and industrialism forever, as has been the case on almost every corner of the globe.