 The "Lost Spike" seen here on display at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. | It's Golden Spike Day!!! On may 10, 1869, the driving of the Golden Spike was ceremoniously celebrated in Promontory Summit, Utah. The Golden Spike, symbolized the completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad. The railroads that created the first Transcontinental route were as follows - The Western Pacific from Oakland to Sacramento The Central Pacific from Sacramento to Promontory The Union Pacific from Promontory to Council Bluffs Want to plan some TrainChasers adventures relating to the Golden Spike? Here are your TOP 3 Destinations! |
#1 - Golden Spike National Historic Site.
Promontory Summit, Utah, is home to a National Historic site at the very location where the Golden Spike was driven. Hike parts of the original right-of-way, and see full scale, operational replicas of the Jupiter and #119 Steam Locomotives, the locomotives that met at this site to pose for the iconic photograph in 1869.
Daily during the summer, the steam locomotives will operate on a short section of track for photos.
On Saturdays during the Summer, the driving of the Golden Spike is re-enacted for park visitors.
More info available at ----> https://www.nps.gov/gosp/index.htm
#2 - California State Railroad Museum.
In Sacramento California, The California State Railroad Museum is a must-see for any Train Chaser. Since Sacramento played an important part in the Transcontinental Railroad (it is where the Western Pacific, and Central Pacific met), several exhibits show off the surveying, construction, and operation of the Transcontinental Route in California. On permanent display is the "Lost Spike," a golden spike, almost identical to the "Last Spike" driven at Promontory Point. It was created by the same foundry, as part of the same invoice in 1869.
More info available at -----> http://www.csrmf.org/
#3 - Ride the California Zephyr.
Amtrak's California Zephyr operates daily from Chicago IL to Emeryville CA. The Zephyr travels through Council Bluffs Iowa, Salt Lake City UT (just a tad south of Promontory Summit), Sacramento CA, and terminating near San Francisco Bay at Emeryville CA. While not the original route, the Zephyr is still a true Transcontinental Train journey. The Zephyr does travel on the original Central Pacific line from Sacramento CA to Winnemucca NV, traveling through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and over Donner Pass.
More info available at -----> https://www.amtrak.com/home
Promontory Summit, Utah, is home to a National Historic site at the very location where the Golden Spike was driven. Hike parts of the original right-of-way, and see full scale, operational replicas of the Jupiter and #119 Steam Locomotives, the locomotives that met at this site to pose for the iconic photograph in 1869.
Daily during the summer, the steam locomotives will operate on a short section of track for photos.
On Saturdays during the Summer, the driving of the Golden Spike is re-enacted for park visitors.
More info available at ----> https://www.nps.gov/gosp/index.htm
#2 - California State Railroad Museum.
In Sacramento California, The California State Railroad Museum is a must-see for any Train Chaser. Since Sacramento played an important part in the Transcontinental Railroad (it is where the Western Pacific, and Central Pacific met), several exhibits show off the surveying, construction, and operation of the Transcontinental Route in California. On permanent display is the "Lost Spike," a golden spike, almost identical to the "Last Spike" driven at Promontory Point. It was created by the same foundry, as part of the same invoice in 1869.
More info available at -----> http://www.csrmf.org/
#3 - Ride the California Zephyr.
Amtrak's California Zephyr operates daily from Chicago IL to Emeryville CA. The Zephyr travels through Council Bluffs Iowa, Salt Lake City UT (just a tad south of Promontory Summit), Sacramento CA, and terminating near San Francisco Bay at Emeryville CA. While not the original route, the Zephyr is still a true Transcontinental Train journey. The Zephyr does travel on the original Central Pacific line from Sacramento CA to Winnemucca NV, traveling through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and over Donner Pass.
More info available at -----> https://www.amtrak.com/home
