Tough Trains (2014)

Episode Overview

Embarking on a captivating 3,000-mile journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific, we delve into the profound history of railroads in the United States, traversing four time zones and twelve states. Our adventure kicks off at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, exploring the monumental Transcontinental Railroad that connected the nation. We navigate through iconic locations like New York’s Grand Central, Chicago, and Omaha, birthplace of the Union Pacific, while examining the railroads’ crucial involvement in the Civil War. In Denver, we uncover the effects of mining railroads on Native American communities, then travel through the Rockies to Utah, visiting the site where the Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869. We also reflect on the hardships endured by Chinese laborers in Truckee, culminating our journey in Sacramento before taking a boat to San Francisco. This expedition highlights the pivotal role of the Transcontinental Railroad in shaping America’s history.