International Comparative Evolution of Railway Networks in the 19th Century: An Analysis of their Extent, Design, Financing, and International Connectivity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51743/cih.491Keywords:
Economic History, Railways, Railway Development, 19th century, Railway Networks, Transportation InfrastructureAbstract
This article conducts a comparative analysis of the development of railway networks in various countries during the 19th century, focusing on four key aspects: their geographical extent, structural design, sources of funding, and degree of international connectivity. A discernible pattern emerges in the evolution of these railway systems. In the initial stages, constructions were oriented towards meeting specific transportation demands, with lines erected to serve significant economic or administrative-political interests. Towards the end of the century, secondary importance branch lines began to be laid with the intention of extending the railway network to less economically developed peripheral regions. This model is replicated in both privately funded and state-involved railway systems, underscoring the influence of economic and political factors in the design of railway networks.
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