Civil War Railroads #3

                                                                           Civil War Railroads 

Miles of Track:

In 1861, there was  21,300 miles of track & 45,000 miles of telegraph wire in the North. By 1865 the North had the largest system in the world.

In the South, there was 8,947 miles of track & 5,000 miles of telegraph wire when the war began. Virtually the entire system was destroyed by war.

Railroad Act of 1861

Both North & south passed legislation allowing governments to take over control of railroads for military purposes.

Railroad Connections

N – In the North railroads connect all major cities and 88% of farmers were no more than five miles from a railroad.

S – In the South railroads were built to connect cotton centers to navigable rivers & ports. Pre-war private capital was invested in land & slaves not railroads.

N – All one track gauges were used.

S – Four tract gauges were used.