3 ms·

I guess I sort of assumed that the revenue the railroad would receive from trains traversing its rails would be sufficient income, and wouldn't need any additio

I guess I sort of assumed that the revenue the railroad would receive from trains traversing its rails would be sufficient income, and wouldn't need any additional land. I mean, these railroads do have a captive customer base, since their customers can't just "choose" another railroad provider. (Hmm, this is beginning to sound like our cable-centric ISPs.) So, is all this (that is, the historically crazy high revenues that railroad companies have brought in) where the term "robber barons" comes from?

throw0101a 7y ago
Except that you couldn't get the revenue from the railroad until the railroad was built... which would be difficult without land. Connecting the entire country was probably considered a 'strategic' decision rather than just a commercial venture. See also interstate highway system. Governments often subsidize early efforts in areas that they deem are maybe important to have a lead in the future. See also ARPAnet / Internet.
- mxuribe 7y ago
  Oh, I'm not arguing against the need for land. The greater vision makes sense to me. Certainly, the need for land (for railroads, etc.) is essential, plus a little more land on the sides as a buffer - no argument there. Also, connecting the country - whether via rail or highway systems - is absolutely strategically essential. And, in fact, i happily pay reasonable taxes (yes, happily!) for such useful infrastructure like this (assuming this tax revenue is utilized appropriately without corruption)...Because everyone ideally wins in this kind of revenue. Furthermore, I also agree that government subsidizing efforts like rail, highway, post, and arpanet/internet systems are vital as a foundation for any country - either for gov. services or for businesses/economies to prosper upon...I'm just only nitpicking about that little extra, tiny bit of land that UP railroad company is getting tons of free revenue from (by leasing to datacenters). Oh well, this is all said and done anyway.
pjc50 7y ago
> So, is all this (that is, the historically crazy high revenues that railroad companies have brought in) where the term "robber barons" comes from? In the modern American sense, absolutely yes. Standard Oil and all that lot. Further back there were literal robber barons with castles on the Rhine charging illegal tolls to shipping.

throw0101a 7y ago

Except that you couldn't get the revenue from the railroad until the railroad was built... which would be difficult without land. Connecting the entire country was probably considered a 'strategic' decision rather than just a commercial venture. See also interstate highway system. Governments often subsidize early efforts in areas that they deem are maybe important to have a lead in the future. See also ARPAnet / Internet.

mxuribe 7y ago
Oh, I'm not arguing against the need for land. The greater vision makes sense to me. Certainly, the need for land (for railroads, etc.) is essential, plus a little more land on the sides as a buffer - no argument there. Also, connecting the country - whether via rail or highway systems - is absolutely strategically essential. And, in fact, i happily pay reasonable taxes (yes, happily!) for such useful infrastructure like this (assuming this tax revenue is utilized appropriately without corruption)...Because everyone ideally wins in this kind of revenue. Furthermore, I also agree that government subsidizing efforts like rail, highway, post, and arpanet/internet systems are vital as a foundation for any country - either for gov. services or for businesses/economies to prosper upon...I'm just only nitpicking about that little extra, tiny bit of land that UP railroad company is getting tons of free revenue from (by leasing to datacenters). Oh well, this is all said and done anyway.

pjc50 7y ago

> So, is all this (that is, the historically crazy high revenues that railroad companies have brought in) where the term "robber barons" comes from? In the modern American sense, absolutely yes. Standard Oil and all that lot. Further back there were literal robber barons with castles on the Rhine charging illegal tolls to shipping.