Promontory Point
Nov 29, 2022 11:31:16 #
2buckskin
Loc: Wyoming
I worked for the UPRR for 36 years and never had the opportunity to get to Promontory to see where the golden spike was driven back in 1869. The route was abandoned in the early 1900's when the SPRR built across the Great Salt Lake. I'm retired now but do a little railroad consulting work, and just happened to be in the Morgan Utah area working. So on a Sunday went over to this desolate and isolated historic area to see it, and was glad I did. The UPRR and the CPRR both sold the original engines to scrappers years ago, but the National Park service had a company in California build replicas back in the 1970's. They work with original photographs and what little specifications that were available to build these 2 units, with the UP's #119 being coal fired and the CP's being wood fired, I must say they did a wonderful job.
Nov 29, 2022 11:37:55 #
Very nice!! It's a shame the original engines are gone but the replicas are beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!!
Dodie
Dodie
Nov 29, 2022 11:51:07 #
Nov 29, 2022 14:13:50 #
Nov 29, 2022 14:24:15 #
2buckskin
Loc: Wyoming
luvmypets wrote:
Very nice!! It's a shame the original engines are gone but the replicas are beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!!
Dodie
Dodie
Yes it is a shame, thanks for looking
Nov 29, 2022 14:24:52 #
Nov 29, 2022 14:25:06 #
Nov 30, 2022 08:19:31 #
2buckskin wrote:
I worked for the UPRR for 36 years and never had t... (show quote)
Sad to see that the area is so desolate. It's surprising that your image shows no visible signs or markers to commemorate that historic event. I too am a retired rail worker (Pennsylvania, Penn Central, and eventually Conrail).
Oops! After zooming in, it does look like there may be a sign on the other side of the tracks. If that's correct, I assume it is what I would expect to see.
Nov 30, 2022 08:29:29 #
Nov 30, 2022 08:34:43 #
2buckskin
Loc: Wyoming
EJMcD wrote:
Sad to see that the area is so desolate. It's surprising that your image shows no visible signs or markers to commemorate that historic event. I too am a retired rail worker (Pennsylvania, Penn Central, and eventually Conrail).
Yes the area is desolate, and that was the intent of this shot. This area hasn't changed much since 1869, but in the picture you can see 2 markers that have descriptive information about the day of the connection. And behind where I took the photo, the National Park Service has a fairly large manned building with lots of historical photo's, artifacts, and a theater that plays a video of the construction.
In the summer they run those 2 locomotives on the original grade and re-enact the ceremony that happened May 10, 1869.
Nov 30, 2022 09:13:04 #
Nov 30, 2022 09:14:34 #
2buckskin wrote:
Yes the area is desolate, and that was the intent ... (show quote)
Thanks much. If you have any close ups of the sign, I would be interested in seeing.
Nov 30, 2022 09:41:32 #
2buckskin
Loc: Wyoming
EJMcD wrote:
Thanks much. If you have any close ups of the sign, I would be interested in seeing.
You are welcome, sorry I don't have any pic's of the signage.
Wish I would have taken a picture of the monument acknowledging the 10 miles of track laid in 1 day by the CPRR
Nov 30, 2022 10:54:23 #
Nov 30, 2022 17:05:59 #
2buckskin wrote:
I worked for the UPRR for 36 years and never had t... (show quote)
WOW! They are beautiful! Were these the original colors? Engine #60 seems to be missing the connecting rod from the piston to the first wheel. Am I missing something or was that just temporary? I would like to see some photos of the re-enactment.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.