The Great Locomotive Chase is an account of Union soldiers stealing a Confederate locomotive. Kansas Pacific shows the building of a railroad on the frontier and North-South tensions before the Civil War. Cecil B. DeMille's Union Pacific can also be useful. All three can be used to teach history and geography as well as creating an interest in the railroad. Pupils would also enjoy learning about a nearby railroad through video.
Various companies have such videos available.
These are available at most newsstands. Pupils are able to read articles in these magazines - perhaps give a report to class on a particular article. Assignments can be given out of Trains Across the Continent by Rudolph Daniels. Pupils can easily relate events from railroad history and various aspects of U.S. history, economics, geography, and sociology. This book is an excellent addition to the school library.