Railroads

A History of Transportation
Moving Goods and People
Principles of TDL
c4A

The earliest systems in the history of rail

transport can be traced to wagonways in
Greece around 600 BC.
These wagonways consisted
of channels that guided the
wheels of the cart or wagon.

The first wagonway

was the Diolkos wagonway
which was used
for 650 years.

Other Early
Tracked Roads
German Hunds also known as tub rails used in
mining in the 1500s.

Key to Success of
Railroads
Railroads reduce friction which allow
greater loads to be moved with less
energy.

Bulk dense goods can be

moved more efficiently and
cost effectively.

First True Railways

Pre-1605 James Clifford used a funicular
in Shropshire, England to move coal.
George Stephenson in Great Britain
created the first successful steam
locomotive.

Economics of Early
Rail
Early railroads in England dropped the cost
of shipping by 60 70%
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad raised
$4,000,000 to fund construction in 12 days
in 1827.

Trans-Continental
Railroad
Pacific Railroad Act of 1862.
Central Pacific and Union Pacific Companies
build a transcontinental railroad to connect
the US from east to west.
Built in 7 years.
Joined in Promontory, Utah on May 10, 1869.

Effects of the
Transcontinental Rail
Opened the east coast markets to the west
coast and Asian trade.
$50 million dollars of freight shipped in first 10
years.
Connected the US people could travel the
length of the country in days.
Opened the mid-portion of the US to settlement.
Provided better postal service
to the west.
Provided resources for
mapping the west.

Golden Age of Railroad

1878-1945
1880 17,800 freight locomotives and 22,200
passenger locomotives in the US.
1883 Standard time Zones were adopted by
the railroad.
1916 US had 230,468.32 miles of track.
1917 Railroads nationalized during World War I
1940s World War II
brings highest ridership in
US History as trains are
used to transport soldiers.

Railroads of Today

$60 Billion industry

140,000 rail miles
221,000 jobs (2012)
Accounts for 40% of US freight transport

What do Trains
Move?
Agricultural products - grain, cooking oil, livestock
Energy products crude oil, coal, diesel
Automobiles and automobile components
Construction materials
Chemicals
Equipment
Food
Metals
Minerals
Paper
Manufactured Goods

The Future of Rail

Rail is more efficient for shipping goods.
Rail fuel efficiency has improved by 20% since
1990.
The ability to double-stack shipping containers
increases efficiency.
One double-stacked train can replace 300 trucks
and save over 75,289 gallons of fuel.
Computer technology and rail expansion will
enhance rail transport.


Texas Education Agency 2015

Principles of TDL 4A