Ep 5. The Race Underground

In season 29, episode 5 of American Experience, titled "The Race Underground," viewers are taken on a journey through the late 19th and early 20th centuries to witness the intense competition between two American cities, Boston and New York, to construct the first subway system in the United States.

The episode begins by painting a picture of overcrowded streets and the various modes of transportation available at the time, including horse-drawn carriages, omnibuses, and elevated trains. The narrator introduces the two men at the center of this race, Boston's Frank J. Sprague and New York's William Gibbs McAdoo, both of whom sought to solve the problem of urban congestion.

Sprague, a young and ambitious electrical engineer, believed that the solution was in electric-powered trains that could travel underground, while McAdoo, a wealthy lawyer with political connections, pushed for elevated rail lines.

The episode explores the many obstacles both men faced in their quest to bring their respective visions to life, from securing funding to convincing skeptical city officials and winning over the public. Along the way, viewers are introduced to a host of colorful characters, including Thomas Edison and his rival, George Westinghouse, who were engaged in a bitter battle over the future of electric power.

As the competition between Boston and New York intensifies, each city pulls out all the stops to gain an advantage. In Boston, workers labor around the clock to excavate tunnels and lay tracks, while in New York, McAdoo is forced to fend off accusations of corruption and navigate a complex web of political alliances.

Viewers also get a glimpse into the societal implications of this race, as the new subway lines will not only change the way people travel but also reshape the city landscape and the lives of those who depend on public transportation.

As the episode draws to a close, Sprague and McAdoo's visions finally become a reality, and viewers are left to ponder the impact of their achievements on the modern world. "The Race Underground" is a fascinating look at a pivotal moment in American history and the unlikely heroes who dared to dream big.