Trying to find info on the development of railways in the 1800s, specifically railroads between countries, to the extent that such things existed at all. Basically if you've got two countries that historically have not like each other, but they're currently at peace, how much of a liability would it be for a railway between them? Would it be a big enough deal that neither would allow a railway to be built to the edge of their borders, or would it be not much of a big deal? Trying to wrap my head around the logistics of the situation.
I think rational actors would acknowledge it as a very limited threat during wartime and a great boon during peacetime. Trains that move on predetermined tracks and can be seen from many miles away seem basically useless as a vehicle for war (score another point for trains!), and the track could easily be "disabled" during wartime anyway by just picking up some of the track near the border.
Now, our leaders are often very irrational actors, but I just don't see a good argument against international railways.