Horses to Horsepower
Building the Transcontinental Railroad.
This FREE, one-hour program is available for 4th or 5th grades only. Reservations are required.
About Our Interactive Program
Explore how the Transcontinental Railroad transformed America through labor, innovation, and invention. This 45-minute interactive program takes students on a journey through the museum to learn about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. There is also a digital version of this program.
The Transcontinental Railroad changed life in America forever!
Spring 2027 schedule: Thursdays and from March 4 through May 13.
Reservations
Group sizes are limited to 45 total individuals. This includes teachers, students, and chaperones. If your group is larger than 45, you will need to reserve multiple slots. Please contact the Group Desk if you need assistance.
Get more out of your visit!
Already have a field trip booked?
View Teacher's Guide What do you need to know before you go?
About the Stations
Achieving the Impossible: Theodore Judah and the Big Four turned the vision of a transcontinental railroad into reality.
Overcoming Obstacles: Chinese workers made up 90% of the Central Pacific Railroad’s workforce. How did they build the railroad using only hand tools and explosives?
United at Last: What was it like to attend the Golden Spike Ceremony at Promontory Summit in 1869?
From Rails to Riches: The Agricultural Boom: The refrigerated railcar transformed agriculture, allowing fresh fruits and vegetables to travel across the country.
Field Trip Guidelines
A minimum of 1 adult chaperone should be present for every 10 students. Chaperones are responsible for the care, safety and actions of group members while visiting the Museum. Please remember, chaperones must remain with their groups for their entire visit to the Museum.
A brief, mandatory orientation by staff will help students and chaperones remember museum guidelines and enhance the learning experience.
Plan a time and place for your group to meet after the visit.
Your time in the Museum is unlimited until we close at 5:00 p.m. Keep in mind that once you enter the Museum Store or exit through any of the doors in the lobby, there is no re-entry.
