Legends of the Old West Episode: HELL ON WHEELS Ep. 5 | “Last Mountain, Last Battle” Release Date: June 18, 2025 Host: Chris Wimmer

Overview

In Episode 5 of Legends of the Old West, titled “Last Mountain, Last Battle,” host Chris Wimmer delves into the tumultuous final stages of constructing the Transcontinental Railroad. This episode chronicles the intense competition between the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads, the rise and fall of Hell on Wheels towns, and the pivotal battles that shaped the completion of this monumental project. Wimmer provides a gripping narrative filled with personal accounts, dramatic confrontations, and strategic maneuvers that highlight the human and engineering challenges encountered during this era.

Bear River City: The Last Stand of a Hell on Wheels Town

Chris Wimmer begins by recounting the tragic saga of Bear River City, a nascent settlement that swiftly transformed into a battleground. Founded years earlier as a strategic stop along the Overland and immigrant trails, Bear River City attracted a surge of opportunists eager to exploit the influx of Union Pacific workers.

Key Events:

• Violence Erupts: The murder of an unidentified railroad worker triggers a mob vigilante response. (02:15)
  “The mob strung the man up from a pole and a crowd watched as the man jerked and spasmed until he was dead.”
• Marshal Thomas Smith’s Valor: Newly appointed Marshal Smith, a seasoned Civil War veteran, attempts to quell the violence but is ultimately drawn into the fray. (05:30)
  “He wasn’t out of the fight. He rose up and continued to fire like a madman in a stand that earned him the nickname Bear River Smith.”

The ensuing 12-hour battle sees the town decimated, culminating in the Union Pacific’s decisive move to exclude Bear River City from their route. This strategic withdrawal leads to the town’s rapid decline into ghost town status.

Significant Quote:

“With the town dissolving, there was no need for a marshal. Marshal Thomas Bear River Smith headed east to Kansas and became Marshal of Abilene.”
(07:50)

The Engineering Feat: Conquering Echo and Weber Canyons

Transitioning from conflict to construction, Wimmer highlights the Union Pacific’s arduous journey through Echo and Weber Canyons in the Wasatch Mountains. These sections represent some of the most formidable engineering challenges faced during the railroad’s construction.

Challenges Faced:

• Narrow Passages and Harsh Conditions: The canyons' tight confines and unpredictable weather posed significant obstacles.
• Innovative Solutions: Engineers had to constantly adapt, employing temporary timber supports and blasting new grades to maintain progress.

Notable Insight:

“Every hammer blow echoed off the canyon walls like a gunshot.”
(15:45)

Grenville Dodge, the Chief Engineer, played a crucial role, personally overseeing the relentless efforts of the Mormon laborers led by John Sharp. Their disciplined approach contrasted sharply with other crews, significantly accelerating progress through the difficult terrain.

Quote with Attribution:

“I have been constantly on the work, watching every detail and pushing it as no work was ever pushed before.” – Grenville Dodge
(19:10)

Strategic Decisions and the Final Push to Promontory Summit

As construction nears completion, strategic decisions become paramount. The pivotal choice of Promontory Summit as the meeting point for the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads marks the culmination of years of labor and rivalry.

Key Developments:

• Promontory Summit Selection: Negotiated in Washington, D.C., this site symbolizes the unification of the railroads and the nation.
• Race to Completion: Both railroads accelerate their efforts, often compromising on track quality to ensure they receive maximum government mileage credits.

Conflict Highlight:

“The Union Pacific felt like it was on the verge of reaching the summit first.”
(22:50)

Despite setbacks, including the Central Pacific’s record-setting track-laying day, the Union Pacific maintains relentless momentum. The final stretch involves intense labor and the establishment of Corinne, the last Hell on Wheels town, envisioned as a pivotal freight hub.

Significant Quote:

“Their pace never slowed. As construction continued to push toward Promontory Summit, the line swelled to something surreal.”
(24:30)

Conclusion and Teaser for the Season Finale

The episode concludes with the Union Pacific nearing the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, setting the stage for the season finale. The narrative teases the impending ceremony at Promontory Summit and the looming Credit Mobilier scandal, promising a dramatic culmination to this epic saga.

Final Thoughts:

“Just four years after the United States nearly tore itself apart through civil war, the nation would connect itself through nearly 2,000 miles of iron rail.”
(32:50)

Upcoming Episode Teaser:

“The Union Pacific and the Central Pacific railroads finally meet at Promontory Summit with a golden spike ceremony. But no sooner is the railroad declared complete than the fallout from the Credit Mobilier scandal begins.”
(33:10)

Notable Quotes Recap

1. About Bear River City’s Lynching:

   “The mob strung the man up from a pole and a crowd watched as the man jerked and spasmed until he was dead.”
   (02:15)

2. Marshal Tom Smith’s Bravery:

   “He wasn’t out of the fight. He rose up and continued to fire like a madman in a stand that earned him the nickname Bear River Smith.”
   (05:30)

3. Engineering Challenge in Echo Canyon:

   “Every hammer blow echoed off the canyon walls like a gunshot.”
   (15:45)

4. Grenville Dodge on Leadership:

   “I have been constantly on the work, watching every detail and pushing it as no work was ever pushed before.”
   (19:10)

5. Race to Promontory Summit:

   “The Union Pacific felt like it was on the verge of reaching the summit first.”
   (22:50)

6. Final Push Narrative:

   “Their pace never slowed. As construction continued to push toward Promontory Summit, the line swelled to something surreal.”
   (24:30)

7. Historical Reflection:

   “Just four years after the United States nearly tore itself apart through civil war, the nation would connect itself through nearly 2,000 miles of iron rail.”
   (32:50)

Key Takeaways

• Human Resilience and Conflict: The episode underscores the fierce determination of railroad workers and the extreme measures taken to overcome both human and natural obstacles.

• Strategic Decision-Making: The Union Pacific’s strategic exclusion of Bear River City and the relentless push through challenging terrains highlight critical decision-making processes in large-scale infrastructure projects.

• Legacy of the Railroad: The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad not only unified a nation but also left enduring marks on its social and economic landscape, setting the stage for future developments and scandals.

Legends of the Old West continues to provide an in-depth exploration of pivotal moments that shaped American history. Episode 5 masterfully captures the chaos, ambition, and heroism that defined the final leg of building the Transcontinental Railroad.