Transcript Section 6-2

The Railroads

Pacific Railway Act- provided for the
construction of a transcontinental railroad by
two corporations (1862). It offered each
company land along its right-a-way to
encourage rapid construction.

Grenville Dodge-Former Union general.
Engineer of the Union Pacific that pushed
westward from Omaha, Nebraska (1865).

Leland Stanford- One of four owners of the
Central Pacific Railroad Company. Founder of
Stanford University. Hammered in the last
“golden spike,” linking the Union Pacific and
Central Pacific at Promontory, Utah (1869).

Cornelius Vanderbilt- One of the most
successful railroad consolidators. Offered the
first direct rail service between New York City
and Chicago.

Time Zones- American Railway Association
divided the country into four time zones in
1883. Prior to this each community set its
clocks by the sun’s position at noon. This
interfered with train scheduling. The time
zones made train travel more practical and
safe.


Land Grants- given to many railroad
companies to encourage railroad construction
across the Great Plains.
Jay Gould- most notoriously corrupt railroad
owner.

Credit Mobilier- Construction company set up
stockholders of the Union Pacific Railroad.
Center of corruption when they would
overcharge UPR, but UPR paid without
questioning, because same people were in
charge of both companies.

James J. Hill- Built and operated the Great
Northern Railroad.