Chinese RR workers - Opium Use? - Wives?

From: belferj@earthlink.net

I would like to know if there is any information regarding the use of Opium by the Chinese Rail Road workers.

I also believe that the men were not allowed to bring their wives or any other females. Is there any information as to the female Chinese during the railroad building?

I do not mean to be insulting anyone, I am just curious if there has been any research in these two areas.

—Judith Belfer

Back To The Future

From: "Ron Bentley" lrv2@optusnet.com.au

I am looking to build a model railway layout of the fictional Hill Valley circa 1955. According to the Back To The Future 3 movie, the town was serviced by the Central Pacific Railway in 1885.

I live in Australia and have little access to information about the railway line. Please advise – is the Central Pacific Railway still in existence? Did it exist in 1955, if not, what rail service operated in Northern California in 1955?

—Ron A. Bentley