From local to national markets
Before dependable long-distance transportation, distance and spoilage restricted many farmers. Railroads connected producing regions to mills, stockyards, ports, processors, and growing cities.
Grain
Grain elevators and rail lines made it possible to collect large harvests and move them efficiently. In the modern era, covered hoppers became one of the most recognizable cars in grain transportation.
Livestock and meat
Railroads once moved large numbers of live animals to stockyards. Refrigerated transportation and centralized meatpacking later changed the economics of moving meat and food.
Farm communities
Rail access influenced where elevators, mills, warehouses, implement dealers, and towns developed. Freight rates and railroad policies also became major political concerns for farmers.