During the middle of the nineteenth century steam railroads were introduced. Steam engines had the ability to do the work of a hundred horses, which was a huge advancement for them. The first railroads were designed for long distances, unlike to day its more of a short distance travel between different stations.
Commuter travel began in 1832 and by 1837 the New York and Harlem railroad had regular service to 125th street. Population began to grow along the tracks, by fifty percent. The value of property along the railroads also increased. By the 1860’s the long island railroad was introduced. Railroadsmade our city flourish, and made it more accesible for people to commute from places like Westchester and Long Island.
As Sheena states, railroads were a huge advancement for the peoples of the 1900th century. When they were first built the had the convenience of transporting goods from place to place in an extremely less time. Move over horses, the steam railroads a-coming through. The transfer of goods was in fact the railroads initial purpose. After some time of course they created trains that would take passengers and goods alike.
Not only did railroads effect how people would now travel, it also had an effect like Sheena mentions, on the property around the railroad and people themselves. People were now able to travel to other parts of the country much easier then before. They also would move close to the railroads so they would be more accessible to them. Eventually, the steam railroads would advance becoming more efficient then before. They would become larger and be able to move faster.