In a way, railroads built the country. In the mid 1800’s, the expansion of railroads and the industrial revolution began forming the country as we know it today. The young country was undergoing immense changes and was expanding. When railroads were built, the towns formed around them. People moved near the railroads so they could travel, ship goods, and as a way for farmers to ship their goods to market. This expansion eventually led to the creation of the transcontinental railroad. The transcontinental railroad was planned to be finished in Promontory Point, Utah. The transcontinental railroad was completed by the Union Pacific (UP) and the Central Pacific. The Central Pacific was contracted to built the railroad from California to Promontory Point, and the Union Pacific was contracted to built from the Missouri River, to Promontory Point. The two railroads met on May 10, 1869, and changed the way passengers traveled, and the way organizations shipped goods. The result of this great accomplishment was the immense amount of businesses and industries that opened along the rail line, which led to a vast expansion of business. Railroads played an important part in the industrial revolution, and continue to play an important part in the way companies ship goods all around the world.