How did the different groups of individuals get to the Albuquerque area throughout time? Objective Know: The first groups of people in New Mexico: Native American, European, and Spanish. The Transcontitental Railroad: What did it look like? What parts of the U.S. did it operate? The A.T.&S.F. Railroad and its significance to New Mexico. Understand: Westward expansion and the railroad: involving the significant changes in daily life of people living in New Mexico. Be able to do: Discuss what changes were involved with the introduction of the railroad in the Southwest. Background Focus Question: Duration: 60 Minutes.