Product Details

• Directors: Marianne Gerdes
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• VHS Release Date: October 20, 1999
• Run Time: 57 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 1891716158
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #211,645 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

In the middle of the 19th century, when railroads defined cities, San Diego was just another dusty little town at the end of the desert. No one but John D. Spreckels would succeed in waking sleepy San Diego to the roar of trains and commerce. But what began as a simple rail link east grew into an ordeal that challenged the city's dignity, a region's destiny and one man's determination to succeed where all others had failed.

The Impossible Railroad chronicles the 13-year struggle of the San Diego & Arizona Railroad construction. Using archival footage and interviews with local historians and train enthusiasts, this one-hour documentary evokes the heart-breaking passion that went into linking San Diego to the rest of the nation. Could San Diego's railroad have come too late to attract big business? Or did the obstacles that plagued its construction help to preserve the character and quality of life in our city? Filmed on location along the actual San Diego & Arizona Railroad line, The Impossible Railroad captures San Diego's spectacular backcountry and gives new life to Spreckels' dream by connecting San Diegans with a critical period in the city's development.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impossible Indeed!, March 16, 2000

By 

Dan (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Impossible Railroad [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Never before have I seen such a combination of amazing camerawork and informative dialogue in a documentary such as this! Will be waitung for the next one.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for train buffs, September 28, 2005

By 

Robert F. Semonious (Portland,Or.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Impossible Railroad [VHS] (VHS Tape)

An exellent video looking at the history of the railroad that connected San Diego with the east. Good vintage views mixed with video shot recently in the same locations. The story of Mr Spreckel's impact on the city he loved is interesting and inspireing.