Answer:
Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Americans believed that a transcontinental railroad could fundamentally change transportation. Before the railroad, sending goods from coast to coast was a long, expensive process. The new rail line allowed Americans to travel and ship goods quickly and cheaply, which encouraged the growth of commerce. The railroad also helped American industries grow, as new transportation allowed Western resources to travel to Eastern cities. Mining, lumber, and cattle industries all benefited from these changes. You could also say: It's going to encourage interstate commerce. Commerce between states because it's going to be much easier to ship goods and services across state lines because of this railroad. It's going to provide for a faster and cheaper way of transportation than overland travel. And it's going to help economically by developing mining, farming, lumber, and cattle industries throughout the United States.
