The Road Builders

The Road Builders, written by Samuel Merwin in 1905, is a novel that delves into the challenges faced by a railroad construction crew in the Southwestern United States. The story follows chief engineer Paul Carhart as he navigates logistical issues and interpersonal dynamics among his diverse team amid harsh conditions. The narrative begins in Sherman, a growing town, where delays caused by a missing cook and labor tensions threaten the progress of the railway project. This work highlights the complexities of managing a workforce and the camaraderie that develops in the face of adversity.