Some questions from the article...
"…nearly every rail line built east of the Mississippi River and south of the Mason-Dixon line before the Civil War was constructed
or run at least partly by slaves.”[1]
'Constructed' I understand but 'run'? Exactly what role did slaves provide in the operations of Southern RRs? When I think of 'run' I guess I'm envisioning leadership, admin, crewman. Someone that has input into operations. By 'run' is it meant down to the individuals repairing tracks and cutting / hauling wood? Did they have black porters then?
"From explosions to cholera to frostbite, owners who rented out slaves knew they might not get them back, which prompted them to take out insurance policies.[10]"
Was that the ONLY compensation owners received - whatever insurance they took out? Was the RR responsible for any damage to the hands hired if not returned in the same shape in which they were sent?
@DaveBrt or anyone else who knows, what was the level / rate / % of Euro investment in antebellum Southern RRs? Most of what I have read about that was Northern and post-war.
Thanks for the help,
USS ALASKA