Budd's star rose quickly at the Great Northern railroad, and at 40, he became the youngest chief executive of a railroad when he was named its president.
The Burlington Historical Society in La Grange, Illinois is devoted to preserving the legacy of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. The following gallery of Zephyr images is a sampling of the society's collection.
The makers of Transcontinental Railroad traveled back and forth across the original route of the railroad, looking for locations, stories, and images. Explore the path of the original railroad through six Western states with producer Mark Zwonitzer as your guide.
Foreman James Harvey Strobridge grudgingly agreed to hire 50 Chinese men as wagon-fillers. Their work ethic impressed him, and he hired more Chinese workers for more difficult tasks.
Mileage meant money, power, and a fantastic business opportunity. Whichever line neared Salt Lake City, Utah first assured Mormon traffic on its route.
Thomas Durant hired himself to construct the railroad, paying Crédit Mobilier with money given to the Union Pacific by government bonds and risk-taking investors.
