Transcontinental Railroad: The Challenge of

Bridging a Continent

Transcontinental Railroad: The Challenge of

Bridging a ContinentWhat key elements affected the construction

of the Transcontinental Railroad? What key elements affected the construction

of the Transcontinental Railroad?

By Jennifer Carroll and Marty GarrettBy Jennifer Carroll and Marty Garrett

Photo Credit: http://www.ambrosevideo.com/resources/docs/173.JPG

Rails in the EastRails in the East

• First rails were laid in the mid 1700’sFirst rails were laid in the mid 1700’s

• Better form of transportationBetter form of transportation

• By the mid 1800’s rails were all over the East CoastBy the mid 1800’s rails were all over the East Coast

Photo Credit: John Spragens, Jr http://www.enigmaterial.com/heartmt/tracks.html.Photo Credit: John Spragens, Jr http://www.enigmaterial.com/heartmt/tracks.html.

How to Get to California in mid 1800’s?

How to Get to California in mid 1800’s?

• By ship: 4 to 6 monthsBy ship: 4 to 6 months

• By covered wagon: 3 to 4 monthsBy covered wagon: 3 to 4 months

• By foot: Too long!By foot: Too long!

First Rails in California

First Rails in California

• Theodore Judah was the engineer of the Theodore Judah was the engineer of the Sacramento Valley Railroad CompanySacramento Valley Railroad Company

• His work allowed for the first railroad to beHis work allowed for the first railroad to be completed in 1856completed in 1856

Photo Credit: http://baytrail.abag.ca.gov/vtour/map3/access/BTAlviso/RRtracks.JPG

Contributors to the RailContributors to the Rail

Chinese laborers

The Big Four

Theodore Judah

Chinese laborers

The Big Four

Theodore Judah

The Challenge of Geography

The Challenge of Geography

The Sierra Nevada

The Rocky Mountains

The Great Basin

The Sierra Nevada

The Rocky Mountains

The Great Basin

Mid-19th Century United States

Mid-19th Century United States

Manifest Destiny

Industrial Revolution

Civil War

Manifest Destiny

Industrial Revolution

Civil War