What is the iron horse and what did it do?

Answer 1

The iron horse is the 19th century term for train. As tracks were laid toward the west they crossed through Native American land. For lack of a better word, since many did not understand this new technology, they began calling it iron horse.

Answer 2

The term 'Iron Horse' means a steam engine locomotive. It became a term for steam engine trains around 1840 when a newspaper reporter used the term to describe what it looked like.