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Railroads had a tremendous impact on the way people lived - particularly in rural areas. The influences of the Victorian Era on mid-nineteenth century life in America were mostly unknown to people in this region until the railroad arrived in 1888. Rail Express made catalogues such as Sears & Roebuck, and Montgomery Ward relative. For those with some cash, searching through the "wish books", placing orders and then anxiously awaiting for the goods to arrive, was one of the major events in the life of a family. Sewing machines, fabric and accessories, musical instruments, glassware, commercially made toys and lots of dreams became realities.