Question

In 1860, how far west could a person travel by rail from New York?

only as far as Chicago
only as far as the Mississippi River
only as far as the Missouri River
all the way to the West Coast

Answer 1

In 1860, a person could travel only as far as the Missouri River by rail from New York. Option C is correct.

After the Transcontinental Railroad was completed, the train could go all the way to the west coast. Transcontinental railroad was a major development due to the fact that it allowed continuous railroad for more than 3000 km.

A transcontinental railroad constitutes a contiguous network of railroad trackage that crosses a continental land mass with terminals at different oceans or continental borders.

Answer 2

Correct answer choice is :

C) Only as far as the Missouri River

Step-by-step explanation:

Railroad improvements, however, generally directed on the speedy express trains. The appearance of the Transcontinental Express train in San Francisco on this day in 1876 was universally praised in the newspapers and magazines of the day. With this new express service, a businessman could leave New York City on Monday morning, give 83 hours in resting comfort, and arrive refreshed and ready for work in San Francisco by Thursday evening. The dominant agent of steam had completely recoiled a large nation to a flexible size.