Sierra Challenge

One of the most challenging engineering feats in railroad construction, Mexico's Chihuahua al Pacífico railroad was conceived in the mid-19th century and opened in 1961. Photo-journalist Glenn Burgess covered the final construction for newspapers in Texas, exploring the ​engineering challenges and the possibilities for commerce. His black and white photographs taken with a 4x5 Speed Graphic camera provide an important record of this engineering wonder. Don Burgess adds both historical and personal context for the articles through notes and interviews. The collection is illustrated with over 100 photographs and several maps. Glenn Burgess worked as a photo-journalist for the El Paso Times and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. At the time, he also taught journalism and photography at Sul Ross College in Alpine, Texas. Don Burgess, his son, has written numerous books for and about the Tarahumara of Chihuahua, Mexico. He is a linguist/translator and learned photography from Glenn.