Well, since money is no object, there are actually an "infinite" number of "possible" alternative transcon routes, right?

Are there other routes that were surveyed for possible transcon routes, and never used, yes. But, not that many, of the major 1840's US "gubmint" western RR transcon route surveys (Beale/Fremont), that weren't finally built, or used in some variation...

And, where are those potential "segments" of a transcon that were never built? How about Sonora Pass, via the Walker River Canyon, to Carson City, which was looked at as a "transcon" rail connection between the Sierra RR, the V&T, and the WP?

Or, how about the "northern" pass around the Sierra's where the McCloud was built in as 1897 as not only a "lumber road", but like the Sierra, was also promoted as a potential "trans Sierra" route that also looked at going "on to Ogden"?

So, there were many potential "transcon" segments that were surveyed and never built.

There are numerous rr's that were surveyed on never built. UP once looked at a connection from the Pasadena and Altadena RR (LA Terminal, UP Pasadena Branch) via the Arroyo Seco (Angeles Crest Highway)to "evil" Palmdale, and on to San Francisco, and Santa Fe looked at the Ridge Route from LA, and a Tejon line from Barstow to the Valley and, on to SF.

Then, as now, all it takes is money.....





Look at the transcon's that used to exist, and ask why they didn't make it, that's all about money.