How would life have been different in the 1800s if the steam locomotive had not been invented? products would have been more expensive.  locomotives would have used wood or coal. most goods would have been transported by wagon.  most goods would have been transported by steamboat.

The answer is Products would have been more expensive.
The invention of locomotive allow companies to deliver their products in a far distance with little time and money.
Without this, the distribution cost that must be paid by the companies will significantly higher and they're force to increase the price of the product to balance it.

Ain the free market economic system the government is hands off from all supply and demand rates