What are 3 ways the Transcontinental Railroad affected westward expansion?

Question

I'm supposed to think of three reasons, for my essay, but I can only think of one, that it made it easier for people to travel west.

Answer 1

Why should someone else do your homework.  Use your own brain power.

Answer 2

made it easier for people to travel, sure but how about their goods and materials?

they had to have heavy equipment to build sawmills and factories, those got there by rail.

they had to have a way to get their products to markets in the east where the people lived, a farmer in Nebraska could not get his wheat and cattle to Chicago.

The country was able to expand because now armies and war equipment could be moved wherever there was a threat.