Facilitate a class discussion about the impact railroads have on your community today. What do students already know? What is their knowledge based on? Are they themselves, or a loved one, a train aficionado? Do they have a family member who works in the transportation industry? Do they have family who works in an industry heavily impacted by railroads including agriculture, energy, and tourism? Have they seen movies, television shows, or read books about trains? Using library or internet resources, have students research what kind of economic impact, if any, the railroad has on their community.