The Young Engineers in Colorado; Or, At Railroad Building in Earnest

"The Young Engineers in Colorado; Or, At Railroad Building in Earnest" by H. Irving Hancock is a story about Tom Reade and Harry Hazelton, who are young, aspiring engineers plunging into their first big job building a railroad in the Colorado wilderness. The story kicks off with their arrival at a bustling mountain camp and their initial wonder quickly turns to a stark realization of the true grit needed for western life, especially after meeting a scary character nicknamed "Bad Pete." As former school athletes now entering the world of civil engineering, they face the difficult task of earning their stripes in a tough work environment, dealing with tense local encounters, and understanding the high stakes of laying down railroad tracks.