How were the cowboys changed by the American railroad?

The American railroad transformed cowboys by providing a more efficient means of transporting cattle to markets, significantly increasing the scale and profitability of cattle drives. With railroads, cowboys could drive herds to railway stations instead of distant cities, reducing the time and danger involved in long drives. Additionally, the expansion of railroads contributed to the decline of the open range, as settled farming and ranching became more prevalent, ultimately changing the nature of cowboy life and work.