Transcontinental Railroad | Work of Giants | 1

American History Tellers

Wondery

Society & Culture, Kids & Family, History, Education For Kids

4.7 • 18.3K Ratings

🗓️ 13 November 2024

⏱️ 46 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In October 1860, railroad engineer Theodore Judah looked out across California’s Sierra Nevada range, dreaming of a railroad that would connect the United States from coast to coast. It was the start of a decade-long endeavor to build the world’s first transcontinental railroad.

Two competing railroad companies would eventually begin construction, but laying nearly 2,000 miles of iron track across America’s expanse would require vast sums of money – and unimaginable feats of engineering.

Order your copy of the new American History Tellers book, The Hidden History of the White House, for behind-the-scenes stories of some of the most dramatic events in American history—set right inside the house where it happened.

Listen to American History Tellers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/american-history-tellers/ now.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Wonderly Plus subscribers can binge new seasons of American history tellers early and ad-free right now.
0:06.6	Join Wonderly Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.
0:28.7	Imagine it's October 1860 in California Sierra Nevada Mountains.
0:34.1	You step off your horse, your muscles aching from a long and difficult ascent.
0:39.1	You're a storekeeper from the isolated mining town of Dutch flat, and you've just escorted railroad engineer Theodore Judah up to the top of Donner Summit. The two of you
0:45.1	tie your reins around the trunk of a gnarled sugar pine, and Judah sighs and stretches his back.
0:51.0	Twenty-three trips off these mountains, and I still haven't found a workable pass.
0:55.7	Judah is intent on building a transcontinental railroad, but you know he's stuck on finding a way
1:01.6	across these mountains. You're hoping he'll see the potential in your newest hand-picked route,
1:06.8	and if he does, you know your little mining town will prosper. YouYou step up onto a boulder and beckoned him to follow.
1:13.6	"'Come on up here. I want to show you something.'
1:15.7	"'Juda steps up beside you, and together you stare out at the wide expanse to the east.
1:21.6	"'Far below where you stand, the blue waters of Donner Lake shimmer in the afternoon sun.
1:26.5	"'Do you see it?' "'That's beautiful.' "' afternoon sun. Do you see it? That's beautiful.
1:29.0	Yes, but do you see the possibility here?
1:31.9	Judah is silent, his eyes fixed on the view, and your anticipation grows.
1:36.8	Everywhere else in the Cierras, there are two parallel ridges to cross, but here there's just one summit.
1:42.3	Beyond the lake lies the Truckee River Canyon.
1:44.9	It's a natural corridor through the mountains ahead.
1:47.9	You can see the gears turning in his mind.
1:50.6	You rock back and forth, waiting for his verdict.
1:53.2	Well, what do you think?
	...

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