Many Iowans traveled by passenger train in the early 1900s. Let's learn what it was like to travel on a passenger train.

When Sherri was a child, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad had a depot in Eldon, Iowa.  Let's listen to some of her memories from those days.

Small towns had train depots when the railroad was thriving. These depots were where passengers bought tickets and waited for the train.

You might think "online" is a word you use when you're on the internet, but did you know that "online" was first used by the railroads for a different reason?

The caboose was the red car at the end of the train and housed the crew. Today, advancements in technology have replaced the caboose with an end-of-train device.

Mile Zero was the starting point for the westward expansion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

Iowan, Grenville Dodge, is one of the great railroad engineers in history. President Abraham Lincoln asked him to share his knowledge and expertise on the best route for the Transcontinental Railroad.

The Missouri River was a connection for Iowans and others traveling west. However, the Missouri River was strong, dangerous and caused many boats to sink.

Steamboats transported goods to and from Iowa before railroads were built. 

Steamboats on the Mississippi River connected Iowa to other parts of the country, but not without challenges. Learn how engineers overcame problems faced by the Des Moines Rapids.