
Tough Trains
S01E04: American Transcontinental Railroad
We explore the rich history of railroads in the USA with a 3,000-mile journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific, passing through four time zones and twelve states. Starting at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum, the journey delves into the Transcontinental Railroad, a key engineering feat that united America. The adventure continues through New York’s Grand Central, Chicago, and Omaha, where the Union Pacific began, and highlights railroads’ role in the Civil War. In Denver, we learn about the impact of mining railroads on Native American communities. The route moves through the Rockies to Utah, where we visit the completion site of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. In Truckee, we reflect on the challenges faced by Chinese laborers, ending in Sacramento and taking a boat to San Francisco. This journey underscores the Transcontinental Railroad’s significance in shaping America.
Overview
World’s Toughest Train Rides is a documentary series that explores some of the most extreme and challenging railway journeys across the globe. Each episode features remarkable trains, facing harsh terrains, extreme weather conditions, and complex railway engineering. The series showcases the resilience of both the trains and the people who operate them. Along the way, viewers learn about the history, cultural significance, and technical ingenuity behind these extraordinary railways.
Episodes


S01E02 India: Overcrowded and Unstoppable

S01E03 Cuba's Sugar Trains

S01E04 American Transcontinental Railroad

S01E05 Siberia's Ice Trains
