There is a book that I am using with my reading group regarding this orphan train...I never heard of it. Breaks my heart - I used a youtube to introduce it to the kids. We are in the process of reading it. Two of my three kids in group are very much enjoying learning about it.
Great lessons on story elements including a picture book, resources, and guided notes for each element. There is also a link on here to an online story mapping activities that can have info added by students and then printed out.