By connecting the existing eastern U.S. rail networks to the west coast, the Transcontinental Railroad (known originally as the “Pacific Railroad”) became the first continuous railroad line across the United States. It was constructed
between 1863 and 1869
.
When did the transcontinental railroad start?
On
May 10, 1869
, the presidents of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads meet in Promontory, Utah, and drive a ceremonial last spike into a rail line that connects their railroads. This made transcontinental railroad travel possible for the first time in U.S. history.
Where does the transcontinental railroad start and end?
It would
begin in Omaha, Nebraska and end up in Sacramento, California
.
How long did it take to build the transcontinental railroad?
On May 10, 1869, at Promontory Summit, Utah, a golden spike was hammered into the final tie. The transcontinental railroad was built in
six years
almost entirely by hand. Workers drove spikes into mountains, filled the holes with black powder, and blasted through the rock inch by inch.
Is the first transcontinental railroad still in use?
Today,
most of the transcontinental railroad line is still in operation by the Union Pacific
(yes, the same railroad that built it 150 years ago). The map at left shows sections of the transcon that have been abandoned throughout the years.
Does the Golden Spike still exist?
The rails from Promontory were recycled during World War II, but
the spike itself lives on at Stanford University’s Cantor Arts Center
. Promontory Summit is home to the Golden Spike National Historic Site, and the spike adorns Utah’s state quarter, unveiled in 2006.
Who was the most corrupt railroad owner?
Jay Gould
Infamous for manipulating stock, Jay Gould was the most notoriously corrupt railroad owner. He became involved in the budding railroad industry in New York during the Civil War, and in 1867 became a director of the Erie Railroad.
How were the railroad companies paid?
In most cases, a contract for construction of a given amount of mileage would be made between the railroad and some individual, who then assigned it to the construction company. Payment for completed sections of track went to the railroad, which used the
funds to pay its bills to the contractors
.
How many died building the transcontinental railroad?
Transcontinental Railroad:
1,200 deaths
.
Who was the first sitting US president to ride a train?
The 1896 presidential campaign between William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan was the first conducted by rail. Bryan logged 10,000 miles and gave 3,000 speeches.
Theodore Roosevelt
was the first president to use an entire train dedicated to campaign staff.
How much did a transcontinental railroad ticket cost?
In 1870 it took approximately seven days and cost as little as
$65
for a ticket on the transcontinental line from New York to San Francisco; $136 for first class in a Pullman sleeping car; $110 for second class; and $65 for a space on a third- or “emigrant”-class bench.
How much did train tickets cost in the 1800s?
As far as fare went, short trips charged 10 to 15 cents per mile. The cost for the 2,812-mile journey from Tipton, Missouri, to San Francisco, California, was $200, and that didn’t cover the $1 meals. Passenger train travel during the 1880s generally cost
two or three cents per mile
.
Who finished the railroad first?
One hundred and fifty years ago on May 10, 1869, university
founder Leland Stanford
drove the last spike that marked the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad.
What president drove the golden spike?
Ceremonial spikes were tapped by a special silver spike maul into the ceremonial laurel tie. Dignitaries and workers gathered around the locomotives to watch
Central Pacific President Leland Stanford
drive the ceremonial gold spike to officially join the two railroads.
What is the largest railroad in the US?
Union Pacific Railroad
— Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska
Founded in 1862, Union Pacific (UP) has been providing train transportation for 156 years. It’s the largest railroad in North America, operating 51,683 miles in 23 states.
Where is the real golden spike?
Where is the “real” golden spike? It is located in
Palo Alto, California
. Leland Stanford’s brother-in-law, David Hewes, had the spike commissioned for the Last Spike ceremony. Since it was privately owned it went back to California to David Hewes.
