Why was lincolns nickname the rail candidate?

Abraham Lincoln earned the nickname "the rail candidate" due to his early career as a rail-splitter, where he worked in Illinois splitting logs for fences and railroads. This nickname became emblematic of his humble beginnings and connection to the common man, especially during his 1860 presidential campaign. It was also a nod to his advocacy for infrastructure development, such as railroads, which were crucial for economic growth in the United States. The term highlighted both his personal history and his political platform.