Steam locomotive crossing a tall trestle bridge near Buena Vista, a reminder of how railroads pushed through difficult terrain as the country expanded. The narrow bridge and steep drop below show the kind of engineering required to carry rail lines across canyons and ravines. Structures like this made it possible to move people, supplies, and resources into remote areas, supporting settlement and local industry. Scenes like this capture how railroads physically reshaped the landscape and helped link growing communities across the West.