GorkRailway network in the United States at the start of the US Civil War
I think a more recent map is more interesting:
Remember, America was not built for the car, as ignorant people often claim. It was demolished for the car.
Fair FairyCars are much more convenient than railroads
I’d take trains for long trips, but no way could I get by without a car. How would I carry our family’s crap to the beach, camp, lake? How would I get 15 sacks of groceries home? Forget hitting the hardware story for much of anything.
OTOH, I’d love to hop a train and roll to New Orleans or Mobile for a day trip.