What food did they eat on the transcontinental?

Answer 1

On the transcontinental railroads, workers and travelers often consumed simple, portable foods such as canned goods, hardtack, dried meats, and beans. Fresh fruits and vegetables were scarce, but some were available at stations along the route. Coffee and tea were common beverages, and meals were typically hearty to sustain laborers during long journeys. The advent of dining cars eventually introduced more varied meals, though they remained basic compared to modern standards.