American Experience: Scouting the Route
Sherman, Wyoming
Ames Monument. This is just off the interstate midway between Cheyenne and Laramie, at the ghost town of Sherman, Wyoming. Sherman is the highest point on the transcontinental railroad, at more than 8000 feet. But it was a slow easy climb and a walk in the park compared to what the Central Pacific had to cut through in the Sierras. Locals say that Sherman is also the windiest spot in the continental United States, and after a few visits, I'm in no position to argue. We needed sweaters... in July, and parkas in November. There is still considerable railroad traffic near Sherman and we spent a lot of hours filming trains there. But because of the wind, we had to rent an extra-sturdy tripod just to keep the camera steady.
Go West Go East

In the Sierra Nevada, California Donner Lake, California Western Nevada desert Western Nevada desert Eastern Nevada desert Eastern Nevada desert near the Great Salt Lake, Utah Promontory Summit, Utah Ogden, Utah Echo, Utah Piedmont, Wyoming Piedmont, Wyoming near Green River, Wyoming near Green River, Wyoming Point of Rocks, Wyoming Sherman, Wyoming Dale Creek, Wyoming Dix, Nebraska Julesburg, Colorado Roscoe, Nebraska North Platte, Nebraska Brady, Nebraska Shelton, Nebraska Omaha, Nebraska