In 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad was completed, but the American West was far from conquered. Unexplored territory demanded that thousands of miles of track be laid well into the late 1800s. Through rare photographs, spectacular re-creations and expert interviews, this telling program explores the whole story -- from the dramatic conflicts to the engineering triumphs that finally mastered a foreboding terrain -- of the Western railroads.

For many in 19th century America, the West offered seemingly limitless bounty - gold, silver, land - and immeasurable opportunity. In 1869, one of the greatest building achievements in history allowed a means of getting there: the Transcontinental Railroad.

Yet for the stalwart settlers willing to risk it all, the American West was far from conquered. Travel on the primitive railroad was dangerous and often deadly - bandits, renegades and hostile tribes threatened every trip. Millions of acres of territory were virtually unreachable. Thousands of miles of new rails would be laid in the late 1800's, opening the west to settlement, commerce, and civilization. Explore the comprehensive of the Western railroads through rare photographs, spectacular recreations, and expert interviews.

From the early gun battles to the engineering triumphs that finally mastered the hostile terrain, Modern Marvels® presents The Railroads That Tamed The West.