Railroads have played a critical part in the development and the
political, military, economic, and cultural history of America.
Daniel Ogden will discuss this connection between railroads and
American society including the various efforts to build a
transcontinental railroad, the role railroads served in the Civil War
and World Wars I and II, the challenge railroads played in
alternative means of transportation, and the unique cultural and
ongoing appeal of "riding the rails". Various forms of media will be
used to illustrate the nature and appeal of railroads.