Question: Piece of Rail (?1888)

From: CNFarrow@Cox.Net

... I have a piece of track 11" long where the two holes are for connecting two rails. I was told it was rail from the original line. To the right of the holes is what looks like 888. I thought that the one hole removed the 1 as if it was 1888, but the hole isn't in line, and is a little smaller and probably would show some of the #1 on the outside of the hole.

The rail is 3 1/4" high, the foot is 3 1/4" wide, top of rail is 1 3/4" wide. I'm into model RR and have a golden spike laying on it as a display, but I make no claims.

Thanks for any information you can give. ...

—Richard L. Baumer

Question: Golden Spike Ceremony paintings [other than Thomas Hill's]

From: "Peter J. McClosky" pmcclosky@earthlink.net

I understand that there were (at least) 4 major paintings done of the Golden Spike Ceremony. I know one ... but [what about] the others?

—Peter J. McClosky