This PBS presentation, on the building of the Trans-Continental Railroad, holds its own among the many documentaries made about this great engineering achievement. There is emphasis on the historical context - the need for, planning for, and realization - of the railroad. The geographical obstacles are put into perspective along with the money-grubbing humans involved. Of course there were the native Americans whose land and livelihood (the buffalo) were removed from them. The documentary claims the buffalo were already on the road to extinction and the railroad just speed-ed up the process. Let us not forget the death toll among the Chinese. It is all here with more in this magnificently produced documentary. Lief Ancker is the narrator.
Review of The Iron Road
