The first transcontinental railroad was a wonder when it was built in 1869. Stretching 1,776 miles between Omaha, Neb., and Sacramento, Calif., it linked the nation. Join us for this look at the railroad that Abraham Lincoln launched; the difficult construction project through mountains and across plains that thousands of Chinese and Irish immigrants built; and the immense task that was marked on May 10, 1869 with a Golden Spike driven at a lonely place in the Utah desert called Promontory and celebrations around the country following a simple telegraph message - Done!
Run Time: 75 mins
Run Time: 75 mins
Customer Reviews
- 5 of 5
This recent 75 minute DVD features incredible detailed history of the most important job 150 years ago. Multiple interviews with the researchers are included especially magazine editor Jim Wrinn, and photographer Jim Ehrenberger. The vintage photographs look not only good but are also in restored quality. Of course the history of the most important job 150 ago was already spoken in schools, local museums and national documentaries, and films. Initially, there is a bunch of Present footages in this special. Which includes some replicas of the 2 American type 4-4-0 engines, a replica of Rio Grande 463 at Strasburg Colorado. You heard me right people! There is a Strasburg Colorado. As well as modern diesel powered freights. More vintage films are shown which includes the mighty Big Boys in regular service. Amazingly, if 4014 does return to operational condition in a matter of months or weeks, it�ll be a big celebration for America�s superpower railroads: the Union Pacific. The music in this special is excellent. While the documentary itself is shown for a full hour, there Are multiple bonus segments, which includes along the transcontinental line with mostly diesel powered freights, as well as Amtrak�s California Zephyr making a stop in Colfax California, and also leaving the station. Plus there is steaming up with 4-4-0 engines 60 and 119 at the golden spike national historic site doing some preparations in the morning. The story of 2 men and their mansions at Sacramento and council bluffs. And there�s is the photo montage from the 100th birthday in 1969, with Nickel Plate road 759 in the American railroads livery, as well as the 60 and 119.
Additional comments:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Definitely!
Image quality: Excellent!
Value: Seemed a little high.
Recommend? "Must Have"!
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