Lunchtime History Talk

Rival Rails

Friday, April 22 | 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Union Station

New! Denver & Rio Grande Railway Ticket Level: $25: lunch

Southern Pacific Ticket Prices: $45: A signed copy of the book and lunch

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe: $75: Tour of the Rail Experience with the author, lunch and a
signed copy of the book.

In the late 1860s, the transcontinental route was forged, meeting in Utah in 1868. However, a storm was brewing to create a second, southerly transcontinental railroad route to connect the rail hub of Chicago to the Southern Pacific city of Los Angeles.

From wagon ruts to a railroad empire, explore the battle to control the American Southwest rail corridor. Renowned author and historian Walter R. Borneman will explore the race to build America’s most significant transcontinental railroad through his new book Rival Rails: The Race to Build America's Greatest Transcontinental Railroad.

Tour guides and Borneman will lead select visitors on a tour of the KC Rail Experience at 11 a.m. Items from Union Station/Kansas City Museum’s extensive railroad collection will be exhibited. From noon-1 p.m., attendees will enjoy lunch and listen to Borneman read excerpts and discuss Rival Rails in the Arthur Stilwell Room.Borneman will autograph books after lunch from 1-1:30 p.m. This is a ticketed event. Produced in partnership with the National Archives at Kansas City.

Click here to register for tickets

Click here to learn more about the book and author