With the railway came a stable, waged workforce, a segment which was quite limited previously. Work on the railways was popular and became a stabilizing force in the economy, as well as a good tax income for the municipalities. Manny of the navvies working on the construction settled in the area and became the foundation of the workforce used in the growing industrialization. The postal service was prior to the railway walked by foot either from Elverum or Kongsvinger, and the railway allowed for rapid communication. The railway were sufficient efficient that the steamships went out of business.