US Railways: History and Description

American railways have a rich history and played a very important role in the development of the state. Currently, this transport in the country does not enjoy such great popularity as aviation and automobile types. Many trains are rather exhibits. They travel only romantics and people who are afraid to fly on an airplane. And the ticket price here is usually not much different from the cost of the flight.

Brief comparison with Russian railways

отличается. The railroad between Russia and the US is different. If the total length of the domestic highway is 87 thousand kilometers, then the Americans this figure is 220 thousand kilometers. The track gauge in Russia is 1520 mm, and in the USA - 1435 mm, as well as in Europe. In our country, the industry employs 1.2 million workers, while the American mainline serves only 180 thousand people. Approximately the same is only the share of turnover of the industry, which in both countries is 40%.

Origin

началась в 1815 году. The history of the US railways began in 1815. Their development looked very promising due to the fact that at that time in the country there was no developed cheap and fast land transport. Then Colonel John Stevens founded the railway company of New Jersey. Initially, industrial branches began to be created for the transport of goods for short distances, for example, for the export of minerals from mines. The Pennsylvania Railway, which began operations in 1846, was the first company in the industry. Eight years later, it officially launched its first route, which connected Philadelphia and Harrisburg.

The first locomotives

, стало обеспечение тяги. If no serious problems arose with the construction of the canvas, the main problem faced by the first US railways was the provision of traction. In 1826, John Stevenson mentioned above designed and built his own steam locomotive. To test his brainchild engineer has built in New Jersey own circular track. Testing machines were successful. Three years later, Gortario Alain, being the chief engineer of a large shipping company, proposed the use of a simple English locomotive. After successful testing, it began to be used on a branch between Carbonvale and Honesdale in Pennsylvania. In 1830, according to the project of American Peter Cooper in New York, the first locomotive intended for passenger transportation was built. Over time, it has established itself as a very reliable machine.

Interesting fact

In the fifties of the nineteenth century, the so-called underground or underground railway developed its activities . так себя называли представители одного тайного общества. In the US, the so-called representatives of one secret society called themselves. It engaged in the promotion of runaway slaves of African descent from the southern states to the north. At the same time, the organization's activities were not connected with transportation and transportation. Members of the organization simply used railroad terminology, which became popular throughout American society.

The beginning of rapid development

It was after the appearance of the first diesel locomotives that the railways in the USA began to develop actively . новый вид транспорта уже составлял серьезную конкуренцию судоходным компаниям. In the 19th century, a new type of transport already constituted a serious competition for shipping companies. A special impetus to its development was given by several experiments, which proved that the locomotive can overcome the distance approximately three to four times faster than the steamer.

In 1830 there was a landmark event for the American railway transport. Then, between the cities of Ohio and Baltimore in Maryland, the first passenger train was launched and started on a regular basis. Initially, the public was extremely negative about locomotives, calling them diabolical cars, but eventually the majority of citizens became more and more clear that this transport lies with the future.

составляла 2755 миль, то двадцать лет спустя этот показатель перешагнул через отметку в 30 тысяч миль. If, as of 1840, the length of the US railways was 2,755 miles, then twenty years later this figure crossed the 30,000 miles mark. The construction of new routes was also greatly facilitated by the development of agriculture. Since the farmers were working for the market, they needed transport, capable of quickly and in large volumes to take out the harvest.

Construction of a transcontinental railway

In 1861, the Civil War broke out between the North and the South. . Despite this, a year after its inception, President Abraham Lincoln decided that the US transcontinental railroad should have been built. It was assumed that the length of the highway would be almost three thousand kilometers. Contractors were immediately two companies: Central Pacific (laying the canvas from west to east) and Union Pacific Railroad (led construction from east to west). The center of the route was supposed to be the so-called meeting point. Each of the companies tried to finish its own plot first and win this kind of competition, so the work was not always carried out according to plan. Many officials appropriated funds allocated for construction. If there were settlements on the way of the railway, their inhabitants were offered scanty amounts for land plots. Moreover, for bribes from mayors of some cities (it was beneficial for them to have a highway), companies repeatedly changed routes.

About 10 thousand workers from China and 4 thousand from Ireland were involved in the construction. This was done to reduce the cost of work, because the Americans did not agree to work for the proposed amount (at best, $ 1.5 per day). Due to difficult working conditions, many builders perished.

As a result, Union Pacific Railroad managed to build 1749 kilometers of canvas, and their opponents - 1,100 kilometers. This later had a favorable effect on the further development of the "winners", which today have become one of the most powerful railway enterprises in the country. When the workers of two contractors met in 1869, a gold nail was hammered into the sleeper, symbolizing the connection of the two oceans.

The effect of the construction of the transcontinental railway

тогда стала бесполезной и бессмысленной затеей президента. Many skeptics argue that the US transcontinental railroad then became a useless and senseless venture of the president. However, later it played a very significant role for the state, having created a real revolution in the country's economy and the migration of its inhabitants. In a short period of time, a large number of Americans who want to develop agriculture have moved to the fertile western lands.

At the end of the nineteenth century, several more branches appeared, connecting the two oceans directly. They were better thought out, and in the erection fewer violations were allowed. , проложенная от востока до запада страны, считается тёмным пятном американской истории. The first railway in the US , paved from east to west of the country, is considered a dark spot of American history. This is not surprising, because the feat of the two companies can not overshadow the number of dead workers and left homeless families.

The development of railways after the Civil War

Civil war showed how important and effective is rail transport in the transportation of people, food and weapons. стало приоритетным. Not surprisingly, in the future, the development of railways in the US has become a priority. The companies operating in the industry were provided with subsidies even before construction began. In particular, the government allocated from 16 to 48 thousand dollars for each mile of the canvas. In addition, the territory for 10 miles on both sides of the road became the property of companies. Eloquent can be called the fact that, beginning in 1870, over 10 years, corporations were distributed 242 thousand square miles of land.

производилось в грандиозных масштабах. Between 1865 and 1916, the construction of US railways was carried out on a grand scale. The total length of roads during this time has grown from 35 to 254 thousand miles. Moreover, at the beginning of the twentieth century, both passenger and freight traffic in the country were almost completely carried out by rail.

Reducing the role of railways

During the First World War, the railway sector came under the control of the American government. Since that time, the industry has gradually begun to lose its leading position. In 1920, the railroads were returned to private ownership. However, at this time, their condition significantly deteriorated. In combination with the development of technical progress and other forms of transport, this has begun to lead to a gradual reduction in the role of the industry for the state economy.

But we also do not need to minimize the importance that the industry played. First, a transport network was created that linked the entire domestic market of the state into a single whole. Secondly, the construction of the canvas contributed to a strong rise in such industries as transport engineering and metallurgy, due to the high demand for rails, wagons and locomotives. Whatever it was, if before 1920 the development of railways was called the "golden age", then we can say with certainty that since this time it has at least ended.

Today's state

Currently, few people in the US travel by rail. This is due primarily to the good development of aviation communications. And the cost of tickets for a train and a plane is often about the same. In this regard, it is not surprising that a large share of the revenues of this industry is related to freight traffic. имеет протяжённость, составляющую более 220 тысяч километров. The US rail network has an area of more than 220,000 kilometers. They serve all sectors of the country's economy. The share of rail transport accounts for about 40% of the national freight turnover.

Company Profile

All American railway companies are privately owned. In total, there are almost 600. At the same time, the 7 largest of them account for more than half of the volume of freight turnover in the industry. State companies are guaranteed the right to independently make decisions on transportation tariffs. Together with this, this process is controlled by the federal body, which is called the Land Transport Council. Privatization of American railways is irrelevant. Companies are interested in the effective functioning and coordination of absolutely all systems. This is due to high competition with road transport. Principal decisions regarding the activities of railway companies are taken by their shareholders. Recently, the total income of these companies averages about $ 54 billion a year.

Freight transportation

могут похвастаться довольно развитой и эффективной системой грузовых перевозок. The US railways boast a rather developed and efficient system of freight traffic. Experts believe that the guarantee of its successful work is primarily related to their relative freedom from state regulation.

As already noted above, about 40% of freight traffic in the country is provided by railway workers. This value has been growing for the last fifteen years. уступают своему главному конкуренту – автомобильному транспорту. At the same time, in this indicator , the US railways are inferior to their main competitor - automobile transport. In the context of the struggle for the client, companies in every way accentuate the attention of potential customers on their economic and environmental advantages. According to their leaders, in the near future this will still improve the current indicators.

Classification of freight companies

, согласно действующей в стране системе классификации, делятся на следующие классы: компании первого класса, региональные компании, линейные локальные операторы и S&T перевозчики. Carriers that serve US railways , according to the country's classification system, are divided into the following classes: first-class companies, regional companies, linear local operators and S & T carriers.

Only seven operators belong to the first-class railway companies. They account for about 67% of cargo turnover, and the average annual income of each exceeds the mark of 350 million dollars. Transportation, as a rule, is carried out over long distances. Statistics show that 9 out of 10 American railway workers work in these firms.

Regional companies have an average annual income of at least $ 40 million. They usually transport a distance of 350 to 650 miles (within a few states). According to the latest information, there are 33 such enterprises in the country, and the number of personnel of each of them varies within the limits of 500 workers.

Local operators perform transportation for a distance of up to 350 miles and receive an annual income of up to $ 40 million. In the state there are 323 firms of this class, which usually transport goods through the territory of one state.

S & T companies do not only transport cargoes, but also deal with their handling and sorting. In addition, they specialize in delivery within a certain area by order of a particular carrier. According to the latest data, there are 196 such companies operating in the country, earning several tens of millions of dollars each year.

Passenger Transportation

Railway passenger transport does not enjoy great popularity in the USA. The fact is that the distances between cities are usually very large, and not everyone is able to spend 24 hours in a chair, despite its comfort. It is much faster to travel by plane, the ticket price for which is not much higher than the cost of a train ride.

In the US, there are two types of passenger trains: short-haul and long-distance (night). In the first of them, cars of sedentary type are used. They ply only during the day. In the second type there are both sleeping and sessile two-story cars. At the same time passengers are located on the upper tier, and the lower one is intended for carrying luggage. Night trains serve mainly the western part of the country.

In addition, suburban transportation is also provided for servicing passengers. The trains that provide them belong to local operators who independently form a tariff system.

Completion

в своё время сыграли революционную роль в экономике страны. The US railways played a revolutionary role in the country's economy. Their appearance contributed to a number of positive changes, as well as the development of many industries and agriculture. The evolution of American rail transport before the outbreak of World War I even went down in history as the "golden age" of railways. Whatever it was, the development of technological progress, combined with the availability of alternative modes of transport, led to a gradual decrease in the role of the industry.