The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869, had a profound impact on traveling through Nebraska, its economy, and its place within the United States. Stretching from Omaha, Nebraska, in the east to Sacramento, California, in the west, this 1,912-mile rail line was the culmination of years of effort by thousands of workers, and represented the fulfillment of a long-held national dream to create a means of crossing the continent by rail. Constructed by Union Pacific Railroad from the east and Central Pacific Railroad from the west, it revolutionized the manner in which people and goods traveled throughout the country, especially through Nebraska, which happened to be situated right in the middle.

The railroad had a significant impact on the state's population, settlements, and economy. Before its construction, traveling through Nebraska was arduous and time-consuming, limiting its ability to attract immigrants and settlers. With the arrival of the railroad, settlement increased dramatically, and many new towns and cities grew up along its route, such as Sidney, North Platte, and Omaha. It also had a significant impact on the expansion of agriculture and commerce, enabling farmers and ranchers in Nebraska to transport their products across the country, generating enormous economic growth for the state. The construction of the transcontinental railroad even allowed for mail delivery via rail, boosting communication across the country.

Travelers using the railroad were able to cross the country in around seven days, representing a remarkable decrease from the four to six months required to complete the same journey by stagecoach before its construction. With the establishment of stations along the line, the state of Nebraska underwent significant development. The Union Pacific Railroad also hired many Chinese workers in their construction efforts who then established their own communities, like the one in Plum Creek, a suburb of North Platte. The establishment of these communities greatly diversified Nebraska's population, especially because they were predominantly homogeneous and were occupied primarily by white settlers.

Another interesting aspect of the transcontinental railroad is its ability to play host to communication. Telegraph lines followed the railroad route closely, thus revolutionizing communication, mainly via Morse Code. Communication greatly facilitated the quick relay of important information regarding rail traffic, ensuring that accidents could be minimized. An especially interesting example of how communication technology intertwined with the growth of the railroad can be found in the fact that Jay S. Fish, an engineer working on a construction site in Kimball, Nebraska, in 1869 discovered a technique whereby engineers were able to tap into a Morse code message concerning the location and velocity of their rival company train with the intent of beating their company to complete railroad construction first. By quickly sending Morse code to Jay, they could beat the rival company to claim access to nearby natural pass undercuts or valuable train routes.

Prior to the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, the trip from the East Coast to California by land would have involved a treacherous and unforgiving journey, with only two well-established routes, the famous Oregon Trail and the Mormon Trail. Completion of the railroad facilitated the journey through areas which were rich in natural resources, resulting in mining expansion and with it, expansion of industry in the local region, including mining districts established at nearby Saddle Rock, a region comprising Denver, Boulder, and areas nearby which all required quick reliable travel after construction facilities had established a fixed destination.

Until the advent of new competing transportation systems like airplanes and cars in the 20th century, the Transcontinental Railroad played a pivotal role in shaping the way people moved across the nation. However, despite the advent of air travel, the lasting impact of the Transcontinental Railroad can still be felt in its major contribution to the nation's unification. It was successful, in a sense, at spreading awareness of the United States as a unified nation. It united not only the geographic locations and regions of the United States but symbolically united American people as citizens of one common country.

The last remnants of construction which began dwindling in the last two decades caused the construction company faced many significant issues from locals throughout the construction journey and also from the locals of the different localities encountered along its respective routes, while its services were used by millions of potential settlers who made multiple efforts and sacrifices to travel, many of whom were primarily focused on becoming pioneers and establishing themselves, using state resources on major industrial pathways within and beyond to try setting a path forward.

As it stands today, the lasting effects of the Railroad encompass industries, people and even history that continues to captivate millions.