The federal government generally saw the railroads as very beneficial to the nation. In 1862, Congress approved the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, which was completed in 1869. From then on, Congress did not interfere with the private ownership of railroad companies, as long as they transported the government mail. In fact, they even sided with Pullman against the labor union strikers. It would not be until much later during the Progressive era that efforts were made to limit railroad power, such as the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 to break up Northern Securities, which monopolied railroads.
Railway Map