Railroad trusts

Railroad trusts were large, powerful companies formed in the late 19th century that controlled significant sections of the railway industry in the United States. These trusts aimed to reduce competition, stabilize prices, and increase profits by consolidating control over various railroads. They often engaged in practices like price-fixing and pooling resources. While they helped to standardize and expand railway services, they also led to monopolistic practices that prompted government regulation, ultimately resulting in legislation like the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 to ensure fair competition and protect consumers.