Western Railroad Songs (American History Through Folksong)

Fifty songs that describe the planning and construction of the five transcontinental railroads, the builders, the railroaders, railroad events, characters, scandal and corruption, placed in historic context by historical narration. Three CD's plus Notes on the Songs. Playing time: 2 hours, 45 minutes. The Builders: Steam locomotives challenge the steamboats and canal boats. President Lincoln signs the Pacific Railroad Act. Chinese workers dominate the Central Pacific, Irish workers dominate the Union Pacific. The race begins. The Golden Spike: The "Hell On Wheels" towns follow the rails. Mormons join the Union Pacific and Central Pacific workforces. East and west rails join at Promontory. Train robbers and gamblers fleece railroads and passengers. The Railroaders: Railroad boomers, brakemen, switchmen, firemen, conductors and engineers worked the trains, the hoboes rode for free. Five Transcontinental Railroads: Railroad fever grips the West. Greed and scandal come to light. Pathos, sentiment and humor fill the song sheets. East, west, north and south, the rails span the continent.