Fitz, W. S. (n.d.). A first-person account by Walter Scott Fitz of his remarkable 36-day transcontinental rail journey from Boston to San Francisco including a three-week, snowbound passage between Cheyenne & Bitter Creek in Wyoming via the UPRR, Jan. 14 to Feb. 19, 1872. Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum. http://cprr.org/Museum/Fitz_1872.html
STEM Connection: Railroads, Roads & the Rise of American Engineering Systems
Transportation in the 19th century was not just a means of movement—it was an evolving system of civil engineering, mechanical design, geospatial planning, and network optimization. This archive offers teachers a vivid opportunity to embed science, math, and engineering into historical study through hands-on inquiry and applied STEM problem-solving.
Civil & Mechanical Engineering: The construction of railroads through mountainous regions like Raton Pass demanded extraordinary feats of surveying, tunnel boring, bridge-building, and slope grading. Students can explore how engineers used the principles of trigonometry and geomechanics to carve out safe routes through complex terrain. Compare freight wagons and Pullman cars for their axle ratios, suspension systems, and stress distribution—then challenge students to redesign or model them using scale materials or CAD programs.
Energy & Velocity Calculations: Rail and horse-drawn carriage travel prompt inquiry into force, friction, and fuel efficiency. Students can calculate how much horsepower it would take to carry a load over various terrain types, or determine the energy output of steam locomotives. Compare average travel speeds by wagon, rail, and canal to understand logistical differences and how they impacted regional development.
Mapping & Spatial Data: Rand McNally’s and Watson’s railroad maps are early examples of what would evolve into Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Students can overlay historic rail networks with modern transportation maps, analyzing how infrastructure shaped migration, commerce, and urbanization. Teach latitude/longitude, map scales, and coordinate plotting using these historic cartographic sources.
Socioeconomic Systems & Technological Equity: Pullman luxury cars and sleeping compartments offer a lens into the engineering of comfort vs. necessity—what did design mean for class-based access? Who got to travel well, and who didn’t? Invite students to analyze the ergonomics and class implications of design choices, connecting STEM to social studies through transportation equity.
Together, these sources allow for immersive, project-based lessons in STEM history, where learners don’t just read about innovation—they model it, test it, and critique it.