American Railroads

# Take a Trip through America’s Rail History

Journey back in time to witness the birth of American Railroad! Discover how the first 100 years of rail transport in America shaped the nation, and how its impact and legacy are still evident today.

## Key Learning Outcomes:

1. Provide a brief chronological overview of railway advances and events from the early 1800s to the 1900s
2. Describe how natural landscapes were changed to build railroads
3. Analyse and conclude the effects of railroads on modern-day North America

## How to Use This Playlist:

This playlist includes a range of resources designed to inspire your students to learn more about the birth of American rail transport. From horse-drawn rail to the eventual demise of passenger rail, discover how landscapes were irrevocably changed to build railroads.

Here are some suggestions on how to use the resources:

***American Railroads Explorable Scene*** – Students can journey along an immersive timeline, stopping at four fictional railroad stations, each depicting a different period in the first 100 years of the US rail system. Along with historical examples of the locomotives, students can explore maps to see how the networks expanded over time. Ask students to use this scene to determine any key events or advances that helped the railroad system develop.

- [American Railroads](https://edvr.se/TC1-D91-Vfp/history-american-railroads)

***360 Images*** – Students can use these images to examine how landscapes were changed or altered to build railroad networks and should consider how this affected the people and animals living there.

- [Dry Canyon Trestle](https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/cvr360-hotlum)

- [NF-200 railroad ties](https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/cvr360-rrties)

- [NF-200 railroad ties 2](https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/cvr360-kli4)

- [Belt Creek Gorge and Abandoned Railroad Tunnel](https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/cvr360-belt-creek-gorge-and-abandoned-railroad-tunnel)

- [Kearsarge Station California](https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/cvr360-kearsarge)

***360 Image Abandoned Ore Car*** - Ask students to consider how this abandoned ore car would have functioned in its heyday, and what it would have transported. How did it advance and speed up transportation?

- [Abandoned Ore Car](https://scene.link/PZH-f7s/cvr360-abandoned-ore-car)

***3D model Steam Locomotive*** – Students can examine a replica 1894 American steam train engine from a Pittsburgh Locomotive and Car Works advert. They should consider why the Pittsburgh Locomotive was important and how such rail advancements contributed to the growth of the US economy.

- [Steam Locomotive Model](https://edvr.se/lLC-Q7t-fxf/3dm-steam-locomotive)