The National Dream: Building the Impossible Railway - Season 1 (1974)

Sir John A. Macdonald, now back in power, reluctantly agrees to name Donald Smith, Jim Hall and George Stephen as heads of the syndicate that will build the railway. Though capable, resourceful capitalists, they are tainted by U.S. railway connections. After an exhausting marathon debate, the House passes the government's railway bill.

Intrigued by the project's immense challenge, American railway giant, Cornelius Van Horne, signs on to oversee the railway's construction.

Construction in B.C. is painstakingly slower than on the Prairies. Suave contractor Andrew Onderdonk lures thousands of workers from China to help hack and tunnel through the Rockies. As the CPR creeps over the continental spine, trouble looms on the horizon.

Slow, arduous construction in the mountains and north of Superior sends costs soaring as the CPR faces financial calamity. Sir John A. Macdonald is distracted by mounting troubles in the West as farmers, Indians and Métis cry for redress. In a desperate gamble, Van Horne offers to transport 9,000 troops from the East to quell the rebellion.

Eastern militiamen begin the cruellest journey in Canadian military history and the national crisis is averted. The CPR faces riots, strikes and bankruptcy before an 11th-hour government loan saves the day. In November 1885, Donald Smith drives the last spike in the CPR to link Canada from sea to sea.