Dallas was officially incorporated as a city in 1856, but didn’t earn its status as a powerful city of commerce until the arrival of the railroad in 1872. Dallas' history is finely intertwined with the history of the Houston & Texas Central Railroad (H&TC), which approached from the south and redefined Northern Texas.

The railroad transformed this city into a bustling hub -- a bridge between the settled east and the still Wild West. As the H&TC continued North in the late 1800s, Dallas became not just a connection between East and West, but also North and South. Soon the Texas & Pacific Railroad intersected the H&TC and Dallas exploded in a few short years. Eastern venture capitalists and Northern industrialists flooded the town's gates.

Dallas became an American intersection, forever changing this city from a rural backwater to an international city of commerce. Although the heyday of rail has long since passed, Dallas' private freight trains still carry large quantities of cargo daily. Amtrak passenger trains were introduced to Dallas in 1971. In addition, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is a light rail and bus service and a popular form of intercity public transportation.

The Museum of the American Railroad preserves Dallas' rail history. Located in Dallas' Fair Park, the museum is the one of the largest and most extensive locomotive museums in the nation.

Visitors are welcome to board cargo and passenger trains and to visit the oldest train depot in Dallas. With over 30 historical items, both students and visitors can enjoy a hands-on experience while exploring the history of the railroad and its cultural and industrial impact on the city of Dallas.