Golden Spike National Historical Park, Historical railroad site in Box Elder County, United States
Golden Spike National Historical Park is a railroad heritage site in Box Elder County, United States, marking the point where two rail lines joined together. The grounds include about three kilometers of reconstructed track on a high plateau, where replica steam locomotives from the mid-19th century stand.
Central Pacific Railroad and Union Pacific Railroad met here on May 10, 1869, completing the first rail connection between American coasts. The two companies had built from opposite sides of the continent and joined their tracks at this remote location in Utah.
The site takes its name from the golden spike workers drove into the rails to complete the transcontinental line. Visitors today watch daily demonstrations where replica locomotives meet on the tracks, recreating the moment when two companies joined their work.
The visit works well for families and school groups, as the level paths are easy to walk and several covered areas provide shade. During summer months, the locomotives run back and forth regularly, letting guests see the machines up close.
A crew from Central Pacific Railroad laid more than ten miles (16 km) of track here in a single day, a record never surpassed. The workers started at sunrise and finished after sunset, placing several tons of rail and thousands of ties.
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