When railroads were finished, the way of transportation changed dramatically. Expansion became possible and easier for businesses and families. By the year of 1856, railroads reached the Mississippi River. Three years later, they cross the Missouri River. The transcontinental railroad brought both sides of the nation together and made everyone feel united. When the Civil War started, more than 30,000 miles of tracks was completed. By 1890, the amount of tracks was multiplied by six.The two companies that started the project of laying railroads was Union Pacific and Central Pacific. The Union Pacific mainly hired Irish Immigrants to complete the work. There were very few, but some, Civil War Veterans that contributed to the process of laying track across the land. Many of the Union Pacific workers were attacked by Native Americans during work. The Central Pacific company hired thousands of Chinese Immigrants to complete the work. Accidents and diseases happened in both companies killed thousands of workers each year. By the year of 1888 the first railroad statistics were published. Results showed that more than 2,000 workers were killed and 20,000 were injured.
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