If I remember correctly, early on in the Thanalan storyline, the npcs near Papashan say that they're trying to rebuild and reconstruct the railway (after the Calamity) to provide more transit throughout Thanalan. The Sultana wants transit for all Thanalanians, but the Syndicate is blocking her progress. I can't remember specifics, but it's about the point when the Syndicate first gets presented to the player.