Answer:
Government's role in building out the railroads was significant. Governments provided large amounts of money to finance the construction of the railroads, with some of the largest investments coming from the federal government in the United States. Governments also provided land grants to railroad companies, which allowed them to build the railroads on land that was owned or controlled by the government. Government officials were also involved in the decision-making process for the construction of the railroads, helping to determine which routes the railroads should take and what services they should offer. Finally, governments provided protection for the railroads, ensuring that they could operate safely and securely.