OMAHA RAIL METROPOLIS ON THE PLAINS

Year Published: 1953

Description:

"March of Time" presents a feature on Omaha, Nebraska -- a "rail metropolis on the plains". The March of Time TV show was a short-lived series sponsored by Time Inc. that was based on the newsreel series of the same name which played for the American public in theaters from 1935 to 1951. The TV series covered a wide array of topics including Hitler's rise to power and FDR's reelection campaign. It was produced by Louis and Richard de Rochemont and narrated by Westbrook van Voorhis. 

This episode displays the history of the railroad lines converging in Omaha, Nebraska and a state shaped by the railroad industry. The Union Pacific Line began in Omaha following the Railroad Act of 1862. Tracks ran west to connect with the Central Pacific Line. Viewers witness vintage rail cars of the Omaha line, tour the Omaha Union Stock Yard and Union Pacific repair shops. The series logo (:28) and Westbrook Van Voorhis (:37) open the episode. Westbrook's narration would be later known as the "voice of doom" and his catch phrase; "Time marches on" would remain in American ears for decades after. A rail car from the Omaha rail line appears (:55). History of the rail line began with the Tom Thumb locomotive. Passengers bounce within the interior of the passenger car (1:04).  Steam trains were replaced with diesel and electric beginning in 1917 (1:18). Westbrook peeks at an issue of ‘Modern Railroads’ magazine (1:40). Ten rail lines serve Omaha. One of 48 passenger trains drives into the Omaha harbor (3:02). Loudspeaker (3:08) announcements fuzz over gate number 3. Omaha Union Station (3:29) and Mormon Street follow (3:30). A statue marks Mormon pioneer cemetery (3:35). The silver view swings over city scrapers (3:40). The Durham museum (3:56) explaining the marriage between Union Pacific and Central Pacific (4:07). Arrowheads and the bloody battle for expansion (4:42). The two lines met on May 10th 1869 (5:02). A replica of the ‘golden spike’ (5:36). A gas turbine locomotive (6:09) was initially exclusively used by the Omaha rail line. Guests enjoy fine dining (6:29). Meals were so cheap; rail lines lost about 75 c. Aerial shots pass over the freight yard (7:07). Footage follows of rail cars pushing off from the freight classification yard (7:41). Destination tags are tacked on (7:44). A UP car moves out (8:02). The diesel switching agent bumps the freight car (8:06). The foreman throws the signal (7:54) and rail cars run from the classification yard. Overhead shots watch the Union Pacific freight car (8:04).  Steam engine 931 moves out from Council Bluffs Roadhouse (9:46). A rail line conductor discusses the transition from steam to diesel (10:02). A view follows the rail car through a covered bridge (12:29). The conductor checks the manifest (12:37). Two steamers cross paths (12:54). Cattle trains run east from Omaha over snowy tracks (13:09). Billboards boast of Omaha's large cattle market (13:20). The Union Pacific car arrives at the Union Stock Yard (13:31). Westbrook stands with Union Stockyard President; Harry B. Coffee (13:45). A commission man banters (14:55) with an order buyer. Buyers look over the livestock receipts (15:07). Union workers rebuild passenger coaches (15:40). Car seats are reupholstered (16:00). Wheels hang in the wheel pit (17:19). A roller bearing is inspected (17:39). Large locomotives are tended to in the heavy repair shops (17:47). Workers head to the Spare Time Cafe (18:14) still operating today as an amusement center and retro look into the past. Steaks are sliced (18:40). A streamliner runs through Omaha (19:49) in the night. Train 103 (20:04) runs for LA at three am. Service crews pass over and clean the 103 (20:26). A diesel runs in from Chicago (21:00). The Rocky Mountain Rocket (21:26) drives in. The porter slips the door shut (22:44) and the streamliner glides into the night (22:59). Westbrook bids viewers farewell (23:18).