It is the story of the men who built the transcontinental railroad—the investors who risked their businesses and money; the enlightened politicians who understood its importance; the engineers and surveyors who risked, and sometimes lost, their lives; and the Irish and Chinese immigrants, the defeated Confederate soldiers, and the other laborers who did the backbreaking and dangerous work on the tracks.
Chapter 1. PICKING THE ROUTE 1830-1860
Chapter 2. GETTING TO CALIFORNIA 1848-1859
Chapter 3. THE BIRTH OF THE CENTRAL PACIFIC 1860-1862
Chapter 4. THE BIRTH OF THE UNION PACIFIC 1862-1864
Chapter 5. JUDAH AND THE ELEPHANT 1862-1864
Chapter 6. LAYING OUT THE UNION PACIFIC LINE 1864-1865
Chapter 7. THE CENTRAL PACIFIC ATTACKS THE SIERRA NEVADA 1865
Chapter 8. THE UNION PACIFIC ACROSS NEBRASKA 1866
Chapter 9. THE CENTRAL PACIFIC ASSAULTS THE SIERRA 1866
Chapter 10. THE UNION PACIFIC TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 1867
Chapter 11. THE CENTRAL PACIFIC PENETRATES THE SUMMIT 1867
Chapter 12. THE UNION PACIFIC ACROSS WYOMING 1868
Chapter 13. BRIGHAM YOUNG AND THE MORMONS MAKE THE GRADE 1868
Chapter 14. THE CENTRAL PACIFIC GOES THROUGH NEVADA 1868
Chapter 15. THE RAILROADS RACE INTO UTAH January 1-April 10, 1869
Chapter 16. TO THE SUMMIT April 11 - May 7, 1869
Chapter 17. DONE May 8 - 10, 1869