During the 1800's, transportation in the form of railroads improved trading and selling of goods and services in the U.S. The railways created major cities along their route and allowed not only goods, but people to go west.
Farming in the west was important during this time period. Before railroad systems, people usually lived, worked, and farmed close to the coastal areas, so travel and shipment of goods was easier. Railroads changed that. Traveling via train was easy and cheaper.