Seminar paper from the year 2001 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Culture and Applied Geography, grade: 2 (B), University of Bamberg (English and American Literature Studies), course: Proseminar The Geography, History, Folklore, and Literature of American Transportation, language: English, abstract: 1. Introduction The building of the first Transcontinental Railroad marks one of the highlights in American History. Nearly 20,000 workers, mostly immigrants or Chinese, especially engaged for this job, had build a line stretching from Omaha, Nebraska, to the eastern boundary of California within just six years. This largest project in the history of American transportation cost about $ 50 Mio., a number not reached ever before. Huge discussions preceded the project, even more were held afterwards. This termpaper will deal with the preparations for, the actual work and the consequences of this enormous construction. [...]