Welcome to Bedtime History. Hello, this is Brec.

Guess what, parents? Bedtime History is now available on StoryButton.

StoryButton is the easiest way to listen to our show without using screen devices like your phone

or a tablet. StoryButton is like a radio that's built for easy listening to your favorite kids'

podcasts like ours. And the best part is there's no subscriptions or fees to access the content.

This week save $10 and get free shipping when you go to StoryButton.com forward slash Bedtime

History. That's StoryButton.com forward slash Bedtime History. If you'd like to listen to our

250 plus episodes, add free, click the subscribe button using Apple podcasts or donate via

a link in the show notes with Patreon. Donors also get a shout out on the podcast and contribute

to a good cause helping kids all over the world further their education by hearing inspirational history.

You recognize that sound? That is the sound of a powerful train, also called a locomotive.

You may have seen a train when your car was stopped and had to wait to watch a pass.

Or maybe you've even taken a ride on a train. Trains are extremely important because they move goods

and people from one place to another and can do it very quickly. Railroads are one of the most

important parts of American history because the country is very big and they helped connect the east

and the west. Many years ago it took a very long time to travel from the east to the west.

Most people had to take a boat all the way around the continent which took months to do.

They could also take a wagon like the pioneers to cross the dangerous wilderness and tall mountains

to get from one side of the country to another. Either way it was a very difficult journey

and kept the country separated in many ways. But in the 1800s gold was discovered in the west

and many Americans moved there to try and strike it rich and some even did. But one problem is

how long it took to get there. One man, Aesah Whitney believed a railroad could be built right

...