MAP ACTIVITY Map 17.3 Federal Land Grants to Railroads and the Development of the West, 1850–1900 Railroads received more than 180 million acres, an area as large as Texas. Built well ahead of demand, the western railroads courted settlers, often onto land not fit for farming. READING THE MAP: Which mining cities and towns were located directly on railroad lines? Which towns were located at the junction of more than one railroad line or branch? CONNECTIONS: In what ways did the growth of the railroads affect the population of the West? What western goods and products did the railroads help bring east and to ports for shipping around the world?