This month, instead of a lead article or editorial, I'm going to offer a book report. I've recently finished reading Stephen E. Ambrose's book entitled "Nothing Like It in the World" which is the story of the men who built the Transcontinental railroad. It is one of the best, if not the best of the many histories of this great undertaking. While I was living in the Kansas City area, the Union Pacific Railroad ran a steam special using their Challenger #3985. The special was to run several trips in the Omaha, NE area and I, along with several other railfan friends, made the three hour trip up to Omaha / Council Bluffs to see and chase it. It was a great day and much fun was had. As the giant articulated was on exhibit in Golden Spike Park in Council Bluffs, Prior to the actual operation of the trips, folks were allowed to tour the cab and meet the crew. One person, in particular, seemed to be shown extra attention and we found out that it was the author, Stephen Ambrose who was researching an upcoming book. It was this book. The book has now been in print the better part of a decade, but I just saw and purchased it at the local Half Price Books. It has 382 pages plus 48 pages of notes and index but was a very quick and interesting read. The focus of the book is on the men who actually built the Transcontinental railroad. It details their actions, thoughts and brings out their personalities in such a way that you come to know them almost as if you were there in person. Theodore Judah, the founder of the Central Pacific Railroad was so passionate that he persuaded Congress to fund the railroad. Unfortunately, he didn't live to see even a single spike driven. He died of yellow fever in New York City where he was trying to get Commodore Vanderbilt to buy out the Big Four. General Grenville Dodge declined to give up his position with the Union Army during the War of Rebellion as the Civil War was then known. It was in a meeting with President Lincoln that Lincoln asked Dodge what was the best route for a railroad connecting both of the US coasts. Dodge told him instantly that the best route was from Council Bluffs west through the Platte River Valley. And so was born the first effort at completing the Transcontinental railroad. The Big Four of the Central Pacific were Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins, Charles Crocker and Collis P. Huntington. Each played a special role and had special talents which they used in a wise division of labor.