Surveyors called the San Diego and Arizona Railway (SD&A) "The Impossible Railroad" because of its jagged, mountainous, and brutal desert route. The financier and driving force behind building this binational 148-mile rail connection to the east from San Diego, California, was businessman John D. Spreckels. Because of his perseverance, the jinxed 1907-1919 construction overcame a series of disasters, including the Mexican Revolution, a prolonged lawsuit, floods, World War I, labor shortages, a tunnel cave-in, and a lethal pandemic. Once up and running, the line was intermittently in and ou... Read More
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Surveyors called the San Diego and Arizona Railway (SD&A) "The Impossible Railroad" because of its jagged, mountainous, and brutal desert route. The financier and driving force behind building this binational 148-mile rail connection to the east from San Diego, California, was businessman John D. Spreckels. Because of his perseverance, the jinxed 1907-1919 construction overcame a series of disasters, including the Mexican Revolution, a prolonged lawsuit, floods, World War I, labor shortages, a tunnel cave-in, and a lethal pandemic. Once up and running, the line was intermittently in and ou... Read More
Surveyors called the San Diego and Arizona Railway (SD&A) "The Impossible Railroad" because of its jagged, mountainous, and brutal desert route. The financier and driving force behind building this binational 148-mile rail connection to the east from San Diego, California, was businessman John D. Spreckels. Because of his perseverance, the jinxed 1907-1919 construction overcame a series of disasters, including the Mexican Revolution, a prolonged lawsuit, floods, World War I, labor shortages, a tunnel cave-in, and a lethal pandemic. Once up and running, the line was intermittently in and out of service and later sold and renamed the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway. While "The Impossible Railroad" still faces constant challenges and partial closures, freight and trolley service currently operate on its right-of-way, and tourist excursions are offered at its Campo, California, depot.
Details
Pages: 128
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing Inc.
Imprint: Arcadia Publishing
Series: Images of Rail
Publication Date: 10th January 2011
State: California
Illustration Note: Black and White
ISBN: 9780738581484
Format: Paperback
BISACs: TRANSPORTATION / Railroads / History PHOTOGRAPHY / Subjects & Themes / Regional (see also TRAVEL / Pictorials) TRANSPORTATION / Railroads / Pictorial HISTORY / United States / State & Local / West (AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, UT, WY)
Author Bio
Author Reena Deutsch, Ph.D., became interested in the railroad after hiking in the desert and finding railroad tracks in the middle of nowhere. Curiosity led her to research the "The Impossible Railroad." Intrigued by its colorful history, she published several articles and presented numerous lectures and slide shows on the SD&A. Through her connections with regional museums, historical societies, and private collectors, a pictorial feast of more than 200 vintage photographs has been produced.
Surveyors called the San Diego and Arizona Railway (SD&A) "The Impossible Railroad" because of its jagged, mountainous, and brutal desert route. The financier and driving force behind building this binational 148-mile rail connection to the east from San Diego, California, was businessman John D. Spreckels. Because of his perseverance, the jinxed 1907-1919 construction overcame a series of disasters, including the Mexican Revolution, a prolonged lawsuit, floods, World War I, labor shortages, a tunnel cave-in, and a lethal pandemic. Once up and running, the line was intermittently in and out of service and later sold and renamed the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway. While "The Impossible Railroad" still faces constant challenges and partial closures, freight and trolley service currently operate on its right-of-way, and tourist excursions are offered at its Campo, California, depot.
Pages: 128
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing Inc.
Imprint: Arcadia Publishing
Series: Images of Rail
Publication Date: 10th January 2011
State: California
Illustrations Note: Black and White
ISBN: 9780738581484
Format: Paperback
BISACs: TRANSPORTATION / Railroads / History PHOTOGRAPHY / Subjects & Themes / Regional (see also TRAVEL / Pictorials) TRANSPORTATION / Railroads / Pictorial HISTORY / United States / State & Local / West (AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, UT, WY)
Author Reena Deutsch, Ph.D., became interested in the railroad after hiking in the desert and finding railroad tracks in the middle of nowhere. Curiosity led her to research the "The Impossible Railroad." Intrigued by its colorful history, she published several articles and presented numerous lectures and slide shows on the SD&A. Through her connections with regional museums, historical societies, and private collectors, a pictorial feast of more than 200 vintage photographs has been produced.
