Film about the creation of the first Transcontinental railroad. Low angle shot of train moving towards the camera. Low angle shot of horse drawn wagon passing by. Man delivers package. Label says Philadelphia. Outline of United States over POV shot of railroad tracks. Pan across plains. Map of United states to show how distant the eastern settled areas are from California and Oregon. Men on horseback travel through plains. Map of United States, over men on horses, to show possible train routes. Man looks at map, points, rolls it up, and hands it to another man. Look at compass, collect rocks and plans, check the land. Two men look at map. Decision cannot be made about creating a route.