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Meeting Of The Rails Celebration At Golden Spike National Historical Park

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By Compiled From N... - May 6th, 2022
The 153rd anniversary of the "meeting of the rails" will be celebrated at Golden Spike National Historical Park/NPS

The 153rd anniversary of the "meeting of the rails" will be celebrated at Golden Spike National Historical Park/NPS

Re-enactments of the "meeting of the rails" back in 1869 will be staged at Golden Spike National Historical Park in Utah on Saturday and next Tuesday.

On May 10, 1869, locomotives from the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroad Companies met at Promontory Summit completing the nation’s first transcontinental railroad. The railroad was built by tens of thousands of workers from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds including Chinese, Irish, Latter-day Saint, Civil War veterans, and African American laborers whose backbreaking efforts were vital to completing the line.

In towns and cities across the nation there were cheers of jubilation, bells rang, and cannons roared as a ceremonial golden spike was driven and a telegrapher sent a message to the nation that the railroad was D-O-N-E. Golden Spike National Historical Park was established in 1965 for the purpose of commemorating the completion of the railroad and the impact it had on the United States.

This year's commemoration will be celebrated over two days. Activities will include re-enactments of the original 1869 ceremony, steam locomotive demonstrations, re-creations of the historic “champagne photo,” displays of historic objects found along the railroad, performances by Irish musicians and Chinese Lion Dancers, and special Jr Ranger activities. The Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation will be providing cultural demonstrations about their traditional life ways.

“We are excited to commemorate May 10th and share the incredible stories of the people who built a railroad that many people at the time thought was unbuildable,” said Superintendent Brandon Flint. “This a great opportunity to step back in time and stand at the location where the golden spike was driven, learn about the cultures of the workers who made it happen, join in a re-creation of the historic “champagne photo,” and get an up-close view of steam locomotives as they chug past.” 

Between the special commemorative events, auto tours, and Big Fill Trail there is a full day of activities at the park. Visitors will also find the area around the park has many opportunities for recreation. To the west lies the world-famous Spiral Jetty and the Transcontinental Railroad Backcountry Byway, which is the longest contiguous stretch of original railroad grade remaining, or Northrup Grumman’s Rocket Garden and the Bear River Wildlife Refuge can make a great stop on your way to or from the park.

May 7th Schedule

  • 10 a.m. Locomotive Ranger Program - Arrival of the Locomotives Jupiter and No. 119
  • 11 a.m. Cultural Program - Honoring Irish Railroad Workers and Traditions
  • 11:30 a.m. Presentation by Darren Parry – Northwestern Band of the Shoshone
  • 12 p.m. Reenactment of the Last Spike Ceremony 
  • 1 p.m. Cultural Program - Honoring Irish Railroad Workers and Traditions
  • 2 p.m. Reenactment of the Last Spike Ceremony

"Champagne" photograph with visitors

  • 3 p.m. Cultural Program - Honoring Irish Railroad Workers and Traditions
  • 4:30 p.m. Locomotive Ranger Program - Depature of the Locomotives Jupiter and No. 119.
  • 5 p.m. Visitor Center Closes

Family Fun Activities Hosted Throughout the Day:

  • Spike 150 Foundation- Youth Activities
  • Northwestern Band of the Shoshone – Cultural Demonstration Area
  • Chinese Railroad Worker Descendants Association - Children’s Activities
  • Ogden Amateur Radio Club (ORAC) – Demonstrating History of Communication

May 10th Schedule

  • 9:30 a.m. Locomotive Ranger Program - Arrival of the Locomotives Jupiter and No. 119.
  • 10 a.m. Recreation of the Historic "Champagne" Photograph for Visitors in Period and Modern Dress
  • 10:30 a.m. Music by the Bear River High School Band
  • 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Commemorative Ceremony and Reenactment of the Last Spike Ceremony
  • 2 p.m. Reenactment of the Last Spike Ceremony
  • 3 p.m.- 4:15 p.m. Cab Tours of the Locomotives
  • 4:30 p.m. Locomotive Ranger Program - Depature of the Locomtives Jupiter and No. 119.
  • 5 p.m. Visitor Center Closes

Concurrent Activities Hosted Throughout the Day:

  • National Park Service -- Junior Ranger Table
  • Bureau of Land Management -Backcountry Byway Discovery Table and Fire Education
  • Ogden Amateur Radio Club (ORAC) – Demonstrating History of Communication

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