In your opinion, what was the most important consequence of the Transcontinental Railroad?

In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed Pacific Rairoad Act to complete the construction of the Transcontinental Railway, which was supposed to connect California with the eastern states. Thus, another railway company was founded, the largest American company to date, which owns the largest rail network in the United States - Union Pacific Railroad, located west of the Missouri River.

An important result of railway construction was the accumulation of capital of joint-stock companies that took contracts for the construction of transcontinental roads.

Railway construction has had important consequences. Firstly, the infrastructure was created that finally connected the domestic market into a single whole. Secondly, railway construction contributed to the rise of metallurgy and transport engineering. This was especially evident when cast-iron rails began to be replaced by steel.