Who what where when how why - transcontinental rail road?

The Transcontinental Railroad was a railway system that connected the eastern United States to the western territories, completed in 1869. It was built by two main companies: the Central Pacific Railroad, which started in California, and the Union Pacific Railroad, which began in Nebraska. Construction began in the 1860s, driven by the need for faster transportation of goods and people across the continent, particularly after the Gold Rush. This monumental project transformed the American economy and facilitated westward expansion, contributing to the growth of towns and industries along the route.