a discount
rebate
a self-appointed enforcer of the law
vigilante
a system in which several railroad companies agreed to divide up the business in an area and set prices
pool
a land grant or other financial help from the government
subsidy
a railroad that stretches across a continent from coast to coast
transcontinental railroad
to combine
consolidate
a system of connected railroad lines
network
the width of a train track
gauge
a rich vein of gold, silver, or other valuable ore
lode