A rapid means of long-distance transportation became a necessity for the United States as settlement
（新拓居地）spread ever farther westward.The early trains were impractical curiosities,and for a long
time the railroad companies met with troublesome mechanical problems.The most serious ones were the
construction of rails able to bear the load,and the development of a safe,effective stopping system.
Once these were solved,the railroad was established as the best means of land transportation.By 1860
there were thousands of miles of railroads crossing the eastern mountain ranges westward to the
Mississippi.There were also regional southern and western lines.
The high point in railroad building came with the construction of the first transcontinental
system.
In 1862 Congress authorized two western railroad companies to build lines from Nebraska westward and
from California eastward to a meeting point,so as to complete a transcontinental crossing linking the
Atlantic seaboard with the Pacific.The Government helped the railroads generously with
money and
land.Actual work on this project began four years later.The Gentral Pacifie Company,starting from
California,used Chinese labor,while the Union Pacific employed
crews of Irish labourers.The two groups worked at remunkable speed,euch trying to cover a greater distance than the other.In 1869 tay
met at a place called Promontory in whut is now the state of Utah. Many visitors came there for the gea
oceasion.There were joyous celebratione all over the country,with parades and the ringing of chure
bells to honor the great achievement.
The railroad was very important in encouraging westward movement.It also helped build
industry and farming by moving raw materials and by distributing producets rapidly to distant markets.hn
linking towns and people to one another it helped unify the United States.
The major problems with America.s railroad system in the mid 19th century lay in
A.poor quality rails and unreliable stopping systems
B.lack of financial support for development
C.limited railroad lines
D.lack of a transcontinental railroad
The construction of the transcontinental railroad took
C.4 years
D.3years
A.9 years
B.7 years
|
