Worldwide development

Railroad construction spread rapidly from England throughout Europe. By 1870, most of Europe's major rail systems had been built. Other lines were laid in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Some of these lines required that tunnels be blasted through the Alps to connect France, Switzerland, and Italy. The Orient Express, one of the most famous European passenger trains, began operation between Paris, France, and Istanbul, Turkey, in 1883. Since 1982, the Venice Simplon Orient Express has offered luxury service only from Paris to Venice, Italy, and back. The nostalgic Istanbul Orient Express offers similar service once a year from Zurich, Switzerland, to Istanbul.

Canada's first steam-powered railway, the Champlain and St. Lawrence Railroad, was started in the province of Quebec. The line opened for business as a horse-powered railroad in July 1836, and began steam-powered service later that year. The railway operated between the towns of Laprairie and Saint-Jean, a distance of 16 miles (26 km). Other small railroads had been constructed in Canada since 1836.

The Canadian Pacific Railway (now CP Rail) completed the construction of Canada's first transcontinental line in 1885. It extended from Montreal, Quebec, to Vancouver, British Columbia. The building of this rail line opened vast regions of the country to settlement and trade.

Railroads promoted economic growth and prosperity of the South American continent, too. Brazil and Argentina were developing rapidly after they had built extensive rail networks in the late 1800's. Railroads were also constructed across South America's towering Andes Mountains. One such railroad, the Central Railway of Peru, was started in 1870. It is the world's highest standard-gauge line, climbing to 3 miles (5 km) above the sea level.

Also in the late 1800's, Britain, France, and Germany built railroads in their African and Asian colonies. Britain, for example, helped to construct almost 25, 000 miles (40, 200 km) of railway track in India during the late 1800's.

Russia started working on its 5, 600-mile (9, 010-km) Trans-Siberian Railroad in 1891. The line had been 25 years under construction and was completed in 1916. It has become the world's longest continuous railroad line.

Australia began extensive railroad construction in its southern plains in 1912. The main line, completed in 1917, extended 1, 108 miles (1, 783 km) from Port Pirie to Kalgoorlie.

Railroads caused great changes in economy, trade, and transportation systems. They affected every aspect of human life in all countries and on all continents. They really “have changed the face of the world”.

* It’s the essential word list. You can add any useful words and expressions while studying this unit

UNIT 2