Who Tore Up the Tracks? · Episode 1 of 24 · 18 min
The Web of Steel: America at Peak Rail
In 1916 the United States had about 254,000 miles of railroad, the largest network ever built, and roughly 98 percent of intercity passenger travel moved by train. The episode rebuilds that world through small-town depots, mail cars sorting at speed, interurban lifelines, and the streamliner age, then asks how it vanished within two generations.
Who's who
- James J. HillBuilt the Great Northern Railway; namesake of the Empire Builder
- Frank Sprague+1 more episodeEngineer whose 1888 Richmond system launched the electric streetcar era
- Franklin D. Roosevelt+28 more episodesDedicated the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point in 1943
Where it happens
- Promontory Summit, Utah+3 more episodesFirst transcontinental railroad completed here in 1869
- Richmond, Virginia+4 more episodesSprague's electric streetcar system proved the trolley in 1888
- Donner Pass, CaliforniaCity of San Francisco trapped by blizzard in 1952
- Kings Point, New York+3 more episodesSite of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Timeline
- 1888Sprague's electric streetcars succeed in Richmond; trolley era begins
- 1916Railroad network peaks near 254,000 route-miles
- 1918Streetcars and interurbans reach about 50,000 track-miles
- June 1929Great Northern launches the Empire Builder
- January 1952Streamliner trapped by blizzard near Donner Pass; all brought out safely
- May 1971Amtrak takes over passenger service
Still debated
The peak mileage figure depends on whether route-miles, main-track miles, or total track-miles are counted, and the 1916 versus 1917 year. The 98 percent figure covers intercity travel as then measured, not all travel.
Connected episodes in other series
As West Point Serves the Army: The Making of Kings PointThe Fourth Arm · Episode 4Also features Franklin D. Roosevelt
Standard Oil's Secret Cartel With Nazi GermanyBackyard Empire: The U.S. in Latin America · Episode 3Also features Franklin D. Roosevelt
The Good War's Fine Print: The WWII Draft's Forgotten LosersGreeting: America and the Draft · Episode 5Also features Franklin D. Roosevelt
FDR's Thousand-Mile Tree Wall: The Dust Bowl ShelterbeltGround Truth: Forest Service Research · Episode 5Also features Franklin D. Roosevelt