Answer :
The railroad companies 'hike up' their prices with the expansion of railroad track to the west because railroad companies knew people would pay a lot for a much faster and safer way to travel west. This is further explained below.
What is a railroad?
Generally, a railroad is simply defined as steel rail lines on which passenger and freight trains travel.
In conclusion, People were willing to pay a lot for a quicker and safer means to go west, so the railroad companies 'hiked up' their rates with the extension of train tracks to the west.
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