Influence of Passenger Rail on the BosWash Megalopolis Corridor ...

<strong>Influence</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Passenger</strong> <strong>Rail</strong> on the BosWash Megalopolis Corridor
Figure 5- Rate <strong>of</strong> Growth <strong>of</strong> Major Central Cities in 1790-1950 (Gottmann, 1961)
In addition to population growth, the passenger rail service increased the Megalopolis job
market. Prior to the 1830’s, northeastern urbanized areas were suffering from periodic
unemployment, poverty, and continuous depression (Ward, 1986). The railroad improved the
morale <strong>of</strong> the growing urban poor. <strong>Rail</strong> enthusiasts promised that railways would raise the level
<strong>of</strong> national confidence and bring urbanized areas out <strong>of</strong> depression (Ward, 1986). Their promise
held true when employment rates rose due to the increased opportunities for jobs within the
railroad business. Careers ranging from railroad managers to construction workers helped to
decrease the unemployment rates and dispel the depressed regions (Sussman, 2000). Figure 6
displays the employment and economic characteristics <strong>of</strong> the Megalopolis corridor after the
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