Tough Trains

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.

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Created By

Zay Harding Ian Wright

Status

Ended

Original Name

Tough Trains

First Air Date

September 16, 2014

Last Air Date

October 21, 2014

Seasons

Episodes

Language

English

Production Companies

Networks

Travel Channel

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.

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