Summary

bravorock
This picture book is an animated impression of a family's 1869 journey from Omaha to Sacramento via the newly completed Transcontinental Railroad. The unnamed family is a launching point for this author’s exploration into everything about early rail travel. Brian touches on crew responsibilities and machinery specifics that were technological breakthroughs for time. The inside cover first offers the reader specific details, dates and events that made this marvel possible. The text describes the United States “Before The Transcontinental Railroad,” mentioning Lincoln signing into law the Pacific Railway Act and introducing the reader to the formation of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroad Companies. This two page spread offers the reader a map that helps the reader understand the text. Page by page, in chronological order, the journey is explicated point-by-point, station-by-station, scenic view-by-scenic view until the family finally reaches the end of the line, San Francisco, CA - the Pacific Coast.