How Railroads effected the Civil War

   Railroads played a central  role in deciding how the unit would assail their enemy.  In the Civil War, the North had an upper hand on the South for several key reasons; first off, the country's main industrial base was centered in the North East, and they had a majority of the railroads that went through the midwest ending near the South. This meant that a lot of destruction was caused in order to reach the location of the South.  When fighting broke out between the North and South in 1861 the country had a rail network stretching over 30,000 miles. Unfortunately for the South over 21,000 miles of this network was concentrated in the Northeast and Midwest, which left the region just around 9,000 miles to transport goods, material and people. This glaring statistic left the South at a tactical disadvantage that would prove appease their progress.  The rail network was built of light construction, which was not beneficial to the heavy transport(groups of men, and equipment).
While southern railroads tried to keep the trains moving during the war, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, a Northern system received critical damage during the attack as well. With its main line and a number of other branches positioned right on the edge of the border between the North and South in Maryland and Virginia; this caused it to constantly remain under  attack by either the Confederate army or Southern supporters.  To try and deal with the damage that transpired, the South built the first-ever armored rail car that looking very similar to the South's famous Merrimack ironclad warship...accept on wheels!

What have the railways done for our nation?

   Lastly, I believe that as we work to approve our nation’s transportation policies, we also must take this opportunity to ensure that the bill gives the Department of Transportation the resources that it needs to decrease our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions by reducing congestion and providing better access to alternative transportation.

   With all the information at hand, it is clear that ability of railroads has overpowered all means of transportation.  The efficiency that rails provide for the day to day market and the foundation to a steady economy deserves the recognition that it is still one of the significant methods of transporting, and has earned the right not to be maligned, because of the disadvantage that to ensures tense competition.  The competitive economy has recently ended the large industry of railroads.  The animosity instilled in other modes of transport has negatively effected the promotion of railways, and the performance of the system as a whole has been impeded  the advancement of it's well-being.  

   Rebuilding and expanding our train system would bring about extremely productive construction projects. The new routes would add assorted levels of service to meet the standards of what could become a revolutionary number of customers.  And could not only count on speed, but also rely on the scenic experience that is much more likely when one is not driving.  It would also get us away from the gasoline pump that has overturned the American economy for the worst.  

   I have researched the possibilities that will have the most positive outcome on the rebuilding of America's economy, and the reliable service that will change our nation.  The drawbacks that are  hindering the future development, have been caused by the competitors desire to malign the foundation of the railways in todays society. 

Should railroads be considered the main channel of transportation

   I believe that the expanded use of our railroads is a critical component to the continued economic well-being of the United States and the preservation of our energy and natural resources.  This system is the epitome of all means of transportation, concerning fuel emissions, cost effective strategies, safety of products, and the advancement in human transportation.  Railroads provide more than 40 percent of intercity freight transportation, which is more than any other mode of transportation, and employ over 164,000 people. Freight rail is now and should continue to be the more suitable option for shipping.  

   However, the current lack of competition resulting in discontinuation for many companies, which is why a consolidation in the railroad industry occurred.  This leaves 4 major Class 1 railroads to carry 90 percent of our nations freight.  And is the reason for such a vulnerable, and unreliable system at times.  

   Utilities, paper mills and the agricultural indusrty, among others, have been subject to the rail carriers' rising service costs, yet these groups have not seen a increase in the service and reliability of their shipments.   This is a result of the minimal railroad organizations.  Furthermore, the increased costs are passed along to consumers through the costs of products, electricity, and services.  

      Repealing the railroads antitrust exemptions, would permit the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to review railroad mergers under antitrust law and it would eliminate anti-competitive exemptions for mergers, purchaces, collective percentage and coordination among railroads. This bill will not fix all of the problems with the railroad industry. But, it will be a starting point for a foundation of rational negotiations between the railroads and shippers. And, it will restore some of the public interest responsibilities to our nation’s rail system.

Are these means of transportation as valuable as air and other ground transport.portation

   The only disputes of usefulness and effectiveness come from the antagonists that are in a constant clash of  interest.  A large portion of businesses would rather use the railroads for transportation, because of the safety and convenience that it provides.  The amount of trust that is instilled with this system has proven to be the most innovative type of technology, when it comes to coping with such a demanding market and the eccentric flow of our economy.  
 
    Compared to road transportation and air travel, the efficiency of fuel outshines them in many aspects.  Trains have come a long way with improving fuel emissions, and are still becoming more green as time goes on.  The confidence and assurance that is expected from corporations is on such a high level of demand, only systems such as trains can deal with the pressure and difficulty that is presented in our society.

   The rail transportation network in the United States included about 120,000 miles of major rail lines in the late 1990s, on which carriers transported an estimated 1.3 million tons of freight annually. Trains are ideally suited for shipping bulk products, and can be adapted to meet specific product needs through the use of specialized cars.  Tankers are used for liquids, refrigerated cars for perishables, cars fitted with ramps for automobiles, and military transportation. It exceeds the speed of cargo ships, and is cheaper than road transport, while still having a smaller effect on the gas emissions.  Because they are so fuel efficient, some people think that trains are the transportation of the future. For example, Japan has a high speed train powered by magnetic force, and France has a high-speed train powered by electricity. Others think that railroads are dying as the tracks and trains are being replaced by airplanes and trucks.


   If railroads are overruned by transportation via air and truck, it will still stand as the most innovative discovery concerning our economy and means of communication.  And will still stand as America's  lifeline if all else fails.  
  

Results of Poll: Impact on Today's Economy

 

   A variety of resources rely on the assistance of railroads for many different reasons.  One, being the profit that is associated  with the  existence of these systems.  In addition now people from all over the country could enjoy goods from other places in the country. One industry that greatly prospered from the construction of the railroad was the cattle or beef industry. Before the railroads, cows had to be raised slaughtered and sold all within close proximity this was becoming more and more difficult because many urban and suburban areas were growing rapidly leaving less and less land for farming.  Now there is no sign of financial struggle, or any regulation on the distance that there products can be transported.  
   
   There is still greed that is present with competing organizations, which is why there is a regulation on the the quantity and distance, when signs of excessive gain arise.  In order to be absolved from any sort of regualtion, there needs to be clear evidence supporting the organization's reasoning for their means of trade.As long as there is no indication of any amoral actions.     
   
   The railroad systems have helped make our present industrial development possible.  The amount of destruction that the economy would  encounter if these means of transportation were diminished  is implausible to comprehend.  All businesses that rely on such efficient transportation, such as produce and other products that need delivered on a certain schedule.  


   There are many different paths that the tracks lead to, concerning the future of the economy, and the advancements of the trains themselves in order to cope with the rapidly increasing demand for efficient transporting. There are still great potentials in expanding the assortment of businesses, effecting all areas of trade and means of transportation.  

Chart of Resources transported by Freight Trains

Type of Freight Carried by Class 1 Railroads for 2003 and 2005:

Commodity Group	2003 Tons Originated	2003 Percent of Total	2005 Tons Originated	2005 Percent of Total
Coal	784,042	43.6	804,139	42.4
Chemicals & allied products	163,018	9.1	167,199	8.8
Farm products	141,324	7.9	140,441	7.4
Non-metalic minerals	132,552	7.4	145,697	7.7
Misc. mixed shipments*	103,875	5.8	119,835	6.3
Food & kindred products	102,114	5.7	102,191	5.4
Metals & products	55,166	3.1	57,851	3.0
Stone, clay & glass products	51,046	2.8	55,231	2.9
Petroleum & coke	47,968	2.7	55,611	2.9
Lumber & wood products	47,466	2.6	47,603	2.5
Waste & scrap materials	41,497	2.3	47,345	2.5
Pulp, paper & allied products	38,543	2.1	38,242	2.0
Motor vehicles & equipment	34,314	1.9	35,585	1.9
Metalic ores	32,693	1.8	59,941	3.2
All other commodities	23,448	1.3	21,810	1.1
Total	1,799,066	100	1,898,721	100

   This particular chart, shows the magnitude of trade that freight trains bring alone.  Each one of the commoidieties is profiting and benefiting from the cheap costs of transportation, exceeding the standards of any other method of transportation.  The economy would be in an even worse situation than stands right now.  result of providing a needed and valuable service to millions of customers in an unregulated market economy.   It is what is sometimes referred to by economists as "economy of scale". In , if you have 100 million customers, and you make an extra penny of profit off of each of them, you make a million dollars, small pricing differences which the market can easily bear can mean huge profit margins.

   The  intricate system that has developed from railroads has boosted the economy to a point where maximum potential has been identified.  The steady stream of financial gain has sufficed the desire for a perfect system. 

Modern day Railroad Development

    Near the beginning of the 19th century in the United States, the development of such a vast system of railroads was what drove the market up and provided transportation  for people, as well as how essential it is to have an advantage during war.  Aided and advanced the settlement of country's, cities and unified a nation.  Without these advancements, the population that would be vunerable  to a dreadful downfall and collapse of civilization.  The impact that these systems have on our world today is substantial.  The technology that the development of trains has brought to modern day technology remains to be the basis for many automotive vehicles, and other  creations that were inspired by the steam engine and scrutiny of the locomotive engine.
  
    Railroads are fast. Accordingly, framers can speedily transport high-value produce like fresh vegetables and fruits to the marketplace, without worrying that it might rot on the way. Modern-day farmers can also take advantage of refrigerated railroad-cars, giving farmers from developing countries like India or South Africa an opportunity to transport fresh produce to supermarkets in Europe, North America, Japan and Australia.  today's freight railroads are considered faster, safer, and more efficient than ever.   They are still being used in America as a primary source of transportation for many goods, and the advancement in railroads that transport people in remarkable.  
   
   The different Railroad companies deliver a cost effective system that is practical for our economy today.  Each organization, some bigger than others, tie local businesses together to form a unified economy that is recognized nationwide.  From farmers and manufactures, to e-commerce companies that need fast delivery. Over the past decades the railroad industry has continued to invest in new tracks, modern locomotives, freight cars and new communication systems to make the rail system "cleaner, greener and safer."