Transportation was a critical element of American development both politically and economically. While highway driven Trucks have replaced the Railroad for many transportation duties, today railroads still occupy a vital role in the countries economy as one of the cheapest and most economical methods of moving large quantities of bulk goods from one state to the next. The railroad created many new opportunities for the developing states and helped tie the nation together as one Country instead of just an amalgam of states. It was also a much more flexible form of transportation than steamers because steamers could only operate along rivers or along the coasts while a railroad track can be laid virtually anywhere. Railroads were also more efficient at moving bulk goods than Conestoga wagons since they could only be built so large and one could only fit so many horses on such a wagon.
A major example of how railroad influenced economy was how establishing railroads helped Texas recover from the ravages of the Civil War. The Chisholm Trail was a Cattle Driving route that stretched from the Red River in Texas to Abilene in Kansas. The route was harsh and only the durable Texas Longhorns could survive the trek. But the Longhorn was a lean animal with little meat they were only sold because Northerners were so desperate for beef and Texans were desperate for a way to earn money. When railroads reached Texas it became possible for Texas to raise Herford and Angus cattle which had more meat but were not as hardy as the Longhorn. But since the railroad was closer to the ranches it was possible for the fatter, less hardy cattle to be shipped north.