CPRR Discussion Group

MEC and B&ML trains at Burnham Jct., 1955 image

2012-01-25T13:19:00.000-08:00

From: "Kent Loudon" nkloudon@verizon.net

... I was the photographer of the 1955 image of MEC and B&ML trains at Burnham Jct. ...

I was 15 years old at the time! My parents had a summer home in Tenants Harbor, near Rockland. On that day I hitchhiked (a kid could do that back then!) to Belfast to ride the B&ML train. I continued on a MEC train to Bangor, and returned to Rockland by bus. The photo was taken on Kodachrome ASA/ISO 10 film using a (completely manual) Kodak “Pony” camera.

N Kent Loudon
142 1/2 West End Av
Somerville, NJ 08876

Chuck Sweet R.I.P.

2012-01-25T11:57:00.000-08:00

From: "Chris Graves" caliron@cwnet.com

Sorry to report that Chuck Sweet, age 62, passed away in Ogden, Utah on Friday, January 20, 2012.

Chuck was the volunteer fireman on the 119 and Jupiter at Golden Spike, he participated in two History Channels and was also involved with the American Experience re: the Transcontinental Railroad.

Chuck was a good historian, his collection of railroad memoribilia was second to none.

He will be missed.

—gjg

How did bad weather affect workers?

2012-01-23T18:59:00.000-08:00

How did bad weather affect workers?

How fast did the first train travel?

2012-01-23T18:47:00.001-08:00

How fast did the first train travel?

Timeline of the first transcontinental railroad

2012-01-23T18:41:00.000-08:00

Where can I find a timeline of the transcontinental railroad?

Largest obstacle faced in building the first transcontinental railroad?

2012-01-23T18:37:00.000-08:00

What was the largest obstacle faced in building the first transcontinental railroad?

Plans for Common Standard No. 18 Combination Depot

2012-01-20T18:50:00.000-08:00

From: "Randy Ruiz" randy@aaaarch.com

An acquaintance owns the Esparto depot. It is a Common Standard No. 18 combination depot similar to depots in Livermore, Danville, Walnut Creek, Benicia, etc. Does anyone have any drawings of this, or similar No. 18 depots that they might be willing to share? Mountain View had reconstructed one such depot some time ago. They must have had some drawings upon which to base their work?

AAA
Randolph R. Ruiz, San Francisco, CA

Two Story Combination Depot #18

One Story Combination Depot #23
Courtesy of the Southern Pacific Engineering collection at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland.

Romanian translation of Eastward to Promontory

2012-01-18T03:29:00.000-08:00

Our thanks to Alexander Ovsov of Web Geek Science for volunteering to do for us a Romanian translation of our web page Eastward to Promontory by Becky Winter.

Chinese and Charles Savage

2012-01-15T12:06:00.001-08:00

From: "Todd Shallat" tshalla@boisestate.edu

Thank you for the opportunity to ask a question.

In Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler's Photographing the Frontier and again in Bradely Richard's biography of Charles Savage, historian say that the Chinese workers were spooked by Savage's camera. As the Chinese workers were position the rail, according to this story, someone yelled, "Now's the time, Charlie! Take a shot!" Allegedly the workers dropped their tools and scattered.

Could this possibly have any basis in fact? ...

—Todd Shallat, Center for Idaho History and Politics

Makeup of a CPRR express train around 1885

2012-01-10T17:12:00.001-08:00

From: "Malcolm Easton" mceaston@sbcglobal.net

I am researching the makeup of a CPRR express train around 1885. Would there be a place on the train for a passenger to write into a diary? ...

—Malcolm

Photos from J. B. Silvis of my family (Burton)

2012-01-08T12:31:00.000-08:00

From: "Steve Burton" steve@reunionplanner.com

I found these photos about my family photos. I thought you might like to add them to your website. You can see I have front and back scans.

Lolla Burton was born 1870
Sadie Burton was born 1873 both in Indiana.

This family lived in Elkhorn, Douglas County, Nebraska in 1875. Elkhorn is close to Omaha so I think these photos were taken in Nebraska [by photographer J. B. Silvis, the Union Pacific's nomadic photographer, in his photo rail car].

Any comments will be welcome.

—Steve Burton

Emigrant Gap Hotel/Allen Hotel/Woodmen Lodge/Bright Lodge

2012-01-05T21:50:00.000-08:00

From: "Carol Guida" jguida@pacbell.net

My husband and I recently purchased the Emigrant Gap Hotel – Annex as our family lodge. Since we purchased the property from the bank we are still trying to piece it's history together. We have been in contact with a friend of Leona Bright (an owner from the 60's we believe) and have a bit of the history.

What we are trying to find out is – was our site (not our annex of course since it was built in the early 1900's) on the Dutch Flat/Donner Lake Wagon Road? And - if so, should we be able to locate some kind of marker? Emigrant Gap has been changed so many times - the railroad, highway 40, highway 80 – there is little left here.

If you can help us find out if we were on the wagon road and how to look for signs of it - that would be great. Also – we have only been able to locate a very few historic photos of our town. If you can refer us to someplace to look for more – that would be great. ...

—Carol Guida

"Queen Victoria and Queen Anne leave their mark in Sonoma"

2012-01-05T09:06:00.000-08:00

"Queen Victoria and Queen Anne leave their mark in Sonoma" by George McKale, © Sonoma Valley Sun, January 5, 2012. (Article – architecture)

" ... While on a river boat in Sacramento in 1855, Ida Pfeiffer writes in A Lady’s Journal Round the World, 'The men, one and all, showed the utmost attention and politeness to our sex. Old or young, rich or poor, well or ill-dressed, every women was treated with respect and kindness. ... '
... The architecture of the Victorian era became very popular as people were tired of simplistic residential designs and intrigued by the new highly decorative features of this period. ... A consumer economy was created by the Industrial Revolution ... The First Transcontinental Railroad ... accelerated west coast desires for Victorian era architecture. Pre-cut architectural pieces manufactured in the east were now available en masse in the west. Consumers no longer had to wait for boats to make the long journey by sea. ... " [More]

[Courtesy Google Alerts.]

African American transcontinental railroad workers

2012-01-03T13:51:00.000-08:00

Where can I find out about black Union Pacific Railroad workers?

Grandpa built the relica of UPRR Locomotive #119

2012-01-02T22:58:00.000-08:00

From: "Dale Johnson" dalerjohnson@cox.net, dale@bejconsultinggroup.com

My grand father, Charles D. Russell, worked for the UP for some 40 years. He started as a boiler maker back in the early 1900's. He was asked to come and help build the replica of #119. I was wondering if you may have a roster of volunteers that worked on the building of [the replica of UPRR locomotive] #119.

Thank you for any help or direction you can point me to.

Locomotive #23

Verso: "1969
Chuck built the proud end of engine to the first gold ring. Also the stack and the fancy stuff around the bell."

Rock drill

2012-01-02T18:42:00.000-08:00

From: "Bill Oudegeest" bill@donnersummithistoricalsociety.org

I am working on some articles about the CPRR particularly Tunnel 6, the San Mateo (first locomotive over the Summit), the Sacramento (the engine for the shaft house), etc.

I would like to locate a star drill bit such as used by the Chinese to bore holes for black powder while building the Sierra tunnels.

Does anyone have any where I can look? ...

—Bill Oudegeest, Donner Summit Historical Society, Donner Summit, CA

Number of railyard workers?

2012-01-01T15:03:00.000-08:00

What was the number of railyard workers at the railroad's height of operation?

CPRR Discussion Group

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the CPRR Discussion Group at the Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum.

See HOW TO POST to the CPRR Discussion Group.

© 2012 CPRR.org. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the User Agreement which permits personal use web viewing only; no copying; arbitration; no warranty. Only send content intended for publication. Links are not merchant endorsements – caveat emptor. If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate.

CPRR Museum Category Tags:
Transcontinental Railroad
Central Pacific Railroad, Union Pacific Railroad
Railroads, Trains, Locomotives
History of the American West, Chinese railroad workers
Photography, Photographs, Stereoviews, Stereographs
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum

Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum.
Copyright © 2012, CPRR.org

Correction: David Porter Mansion in San Francisco

2011-12-30T19:55:00.000-08:00

From: "Thomas Carey" tcarey@sfpl.org

I love your site, and find it very helpful when responding to our [library] patrons. I wanted to point out a small error (and, a common one) in the key to the large Muybridge photograph.

General (Commodore?) David Porter never owned this mansion; David Porter, a San Francisco liquor merchant, did. See a few lines on Porter here, left page, bottom.

Again, thanks for your good work, and for making your collections available to us "out there."

Tom Carey
Librarian, San Francisco History Center
San Francisco Public Library

"Rocklin once had its own Chinatown"

2011-12-30T11:46:00.000-08:00

"Rocklin once had its own Chinatown" by Gary Day, © Placer Herald, 12/21/11. (Article)

" ... By 1870, U.S. Census records show that 21 of the railroad’s 14,000 Chinese construction workers had settled in Rocklin [California]. In 1876, Rocklin’s Chinatown consisted of 25 shanties located northwest of Rocklin’s railroad roundhouse at the corner of Granite Street (now Rocklin Road) and Front Street. Some Chinese grew and sold vegetables ... Some worked at the roundhouse, while others worked as domestics ... " [More]

[Courtesy Google Alerts.]

"The Iron Horse," a classic 1924 John Ford silent film

2011-12-28T22:58:00.000-08:00

"The Iron Horse, a classic 1924 John Ford film with important scenes shot in the Santa Clarita Valley, was added ... to the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress. ... tells the story of an Illinois man who must find a short route over a mountain range to unite the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads at Promontory ... "

Available on DVD.

Old brass railroad keys

2011-12-24T08:59:00.000-08:00

From: "Michael Orange" michael_orange@bellsouth.net

I wanted to see if you had a place to put a link. railroadkeys.com is a site for buying and selling vintage railroad antiques. ...

—Michael

First locomotive over Donner Summit

2011-12-24T08:53:00.000-08:00

From: "Bill Oudegeest" bill@donnersummithistoricalsociety.org

I am doing an article about the first locomotive over Donner Summit and would like to know if anyone knows where I can find a picture of the Baldwin locomotive, the San Mateo or a picture of a like locomotive. ...

—Bill Oudegeest

CP snowplow #9

2011-12-23T01:27:00.000-08:00

From: "Kyle Wyatt" kylekwyatt@gmail.com

I tripped across this drawing of Central Pacific snowplow #9 on line, from a French book from 1907 [on the subject of railroad engineering, Exploitation Technique des Chemins de Fer by Louis Galine, Paris, Vve C. Dunod] – matched the drawing to an original CP drawing in the CSRM collection. I added the feet and inches conversions of the French metric.

The book link is here, drawing on page 666 (680 in the PDF).

This is a good source for old books on railroading:
www.archive.org

—Kyle K Wyatt

Snowplow CP #9 - Exploitation Technique des Chemins de Fer, Galine, 1907, p.666

"Little workshop produces a Leviathan"

2011-12-21T10:04:00.000-08:00

"Little workshop produces a Leviathan" by Dave Gathman, © Courier News, December 20, 2011. (News Article)

" ... earth-moving contractor Dave Kloke decided to combine his ironworking ability with his longtime fascination for Abraham Lincoln. So he began to build an almost-exact copy of an 1860s locomotive named the Leviathan ... Forty-five feet long and weighing 88,000 pounds (including its bright-red fuel-and water-carrying tender), this is “Leviathan 63,” a reproduction of a Central Pacific Railroad locomotive of the same name that was built in 1868. The Leviathan was a sister of the historic steam engine Jupiter ... " [More]

[Courtesy Google Alerts.]

"Transportation History of the Transcontinental Railroad"

2011-12-21T09:57:00.000-08:00

"Transportation History of the Transcontinental Railroad" by Freight Capital. (Article)

"Before the Transcontinental Railroad system was built, it cost $1,000 to travel from one end of the country to the other. Compared to 2002 U.S. dollars, the value of that would be $19,380. After the railroad was built, that would drop to $100, or $1,940. ... " [More]

[Courtesy Google Alerts.]

DVD: "The Hidden Wonder of the World"

2011-12-20T00:39:00.000-08:00

"The Hidden Wonder of the World." Produced by Bill George, Nimbus Films, 2011. (American train Video Reviews evaluation of 35 minute Video DVD)

" ... the level of cinematography is very high quality. Fantastic aerial photography gives some spectacular overviews of different areas. From the Sacramento cityscape, to the wilds of the Sierra Nevada Mountains ... Chris Graves is a Transcontinental historian. Knowledgeable and congenial, he acts as a guide. Mr. Graves knows the former railroad well. We will walk the old roadbed with him, and Bill George. Together, they explore some sections of the original roadbed, and tunnels, on the former Central Pacific Railroad. ... " [More]

DVD is $15.95 from Nimbus Films, 4520 Shari Way, Granite Bay, CA 95746.

[Courtesy G. J. "Chris" Graves.]

"Pacific Railroad Surveys" - Stabilization/Restoration

2011-12-18T09:03:00.000-08:00

From: "Craig Kent" ckent323@verizon.net

I am seeking information about stabilization/restoration of the map volume for the Pacific Railroad Surveys.

I have collected a complete Congress set (as well as a few Senate volumes) of the Reports of Explorations and Surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean, Volumes I-XII.

Some of the volumes are in very good shape others are not. Unfortunately, the volume in worst condition is the map volume.

I know very little about manuscript conservation/restoration and am trying to understand if the map volume can be stabilized/restored and what cost might be involved.

Many of the maps are brittle and torn; all are suffering from the poor paper used. I have read that deacidification is at least one step required.

While I am sure an accurate assessment would require examination of the manuscript, I would appreciate it if there is any advice or references you can offer to companies or persons who can competently do stabilization/restoration work on this volume it would be appreciated.

—Craig Kent

Grandpa Thomas Flinders

2011-12-13T09:20:00.000-08:00

From: "Launa Herrmann" marlin@xmission.com

I have a question I do not know how to find out if this is true, or where I might find lists of people that worked on the rail.

Did they take the rail through the lake or do they mean that the rail went from Wyoming to Salt Lake?

Below you see what was written about my grandfather, now I would like to know if this is really how it worked.

Dad left for Green River, Wyoming to work with the Rail Road. He wrote he wanted her to marry her while he was still 23 years old. He worked on the Rail Road from Wyoming through the Great Salt Lake to Tooele. Carrie's father said Tom Flinders walked through the lake just for Carrie.

When it was written I am not sure it is just in the family story I would think most likely 50 plus years ago or more. Grandpa is Thomas Flinders born 17 Dec 1878 in England died 31 Jan 1947 in Salt Lake City. He married in 1901 so he must of worked like 1899 or 1900 because he didn't work the railroad after they were married. They said he walked through the lake as is written below. It seemed to me at one time a rr did go through the Great SL, would this of been what they ment that he worked on that. I'm sorry I do not know more about the rr. I would love any thing about what he did or when or where I could find more information about his life at this time.

Is there anyplace to find list of workers, what they did, etc.?

Thank you for any direction you can give me.

—Launa Herrmann

CPRR Shareholders

2011-12-12T17:51:00.000-08:00

Who were the original owners of the Central Pacific Railroad Company?

Land Grants: "Huge swath of Nevada desert targeted for minerals"

2011-12-11T10:49:00.000-08:00

"Huge swath of Nevada desert targeted for minerals" by MARTIN GRIFFITH, © Associated Press, 12/10/2011. (News Article)

"A huge swath of northern Nevada high desert, a non-contiguous stretch about the size of Rhode Island ... purchased 483,000 acres of land, as well as mineral rights to another 800,000 acres, for $31 million from Pico Holdings Inc. of La Jolla, Calif. With 85 percent of Nevada owned by the government, the 1.28 million acres—stretching along Interstate 80 from Reno to the Utah line—involved in the transaction represents 12 percent of privately-owned land in the state ... " [More]

[Courtesy Google Alerts.]

USGS Contour Maps

2011-12-04T05:18:00.000-08:00

From: jimvincent1@yahoo.com

Can I get a topographic map of the first transcontinental railroad with latitude and longitude marks?

Union Pacific Railroad’s 150th anniversary, 2012

2011-12-02T02:03:00.000-08:00

"Union Pacific steam locomotive [on] a nine-state tour to celebrate Union Pacific Railroad’s 150th anniversary, which is being marked in 2012."

CPRR Discussion Group

2011-12-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the CPRR Discussion Group at the Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum.

See HOW TO POST to the CPRR Discussion Group.

© 2011 CPRR.org. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the User Agreement which permits personal use web viewing only; no copying; arbitration; no warranty. Only send content intended for publication. Links are not merchant endorsements – caveat emptor. If you are under 13 years of age you may read this message board, but you may not participate.

Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum.
Copyright © 2011, CPRR.org

Historical Photographs - Earliest railroad photo/photographer?

2011-11-29T22:21:00.000-08:00

From: Two23@aol.com

For the past year I've been using historical lenses (e.g. pre-Civil War) and a c.1885 tailboard camera [i.e. "1885 Watson & Son tailboard camera and 1855 George Wood meniscus lens using ISO 25 film"]. I shoot mostly railroad photos with this gear. I'm a member of Center for Railroad Photography & Art. I've been trying to figure out two things:

(1) What was the first railroad photo?

(2) Who was the first railroad photographer?

I think the answer to the second question is Edouard Baldus, who began photographing railroads in 1855. If you have any insight, I'd appreciate hearing it.

I'm also interested in buying a book of the photos in the Lightfoot Collection. I like these very much and find them interesting. If such a book exists, do you sell it?

—Kent Staubus, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Visiting Historical CPRR sites

2011-11-29T14:01:00.000-08:00

From: "Karl Moellmer" karlmoellmer@frontier.com
cc: "John Moellmer" jmoellmer@q.com

My brother and I are considering a road trip from Ogden to Sacramento next summer. The purpose of the trip will be to visit as many transcontinental railroad sites as possible. We'll visit Promontory and the museums in Ogden, Carson City and Sacramento, but we also want to visit all the fills, cuts, tunnels and trestles sites to which we can gain access. Do you know of a "tour guide" or any similar document(s) that would help us plan our trip? Please reply to both me and my brother.

—Karl Moellmer

Buffalo Hunting

2011-11-24T21:45:00.001-08:00

Did passengers on the Central Pacific Railroad shoot buffalo out the windows of the train?

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

Thursday, November 26, 2009

To understand the history and significance of the first Thanksgiving in November, 1623 read the journal of Pilgrim Governor William Bradford. The Mayflower Compact set up a commune at the Plymouth Bay Colony with equal collective ownership, hence destroyed all incentive and half the Pilgrims starved to death. This disastrous socialist experiment was successfully replaced with capitalist individual farm plots on their plantation according to Bradford so that the Pilgrims would be incentivized by benefiting from their own individual efforts, and with farming knowledge learned from the local Indians, food became abundant leading to the first Thanksgiving celebration and subsequent success of the colony.

Southern Railway is not the Southern Pacific Railroad

2011-11-23T08:32:00.000-08:00

From: "pswanson" zeropen@comcast.net

I have several vintage photos of steam engines labeled "Southern" with several different numbers ranging from 325 to 1349. Is this the same railway company as Southern Pacific? Other photos I have seen of "Southern Pacific" engines have both Southern and Pacific written on them. Are they two separate entities? ...

—P. Swanson

Nitroglycerin bottles

2011-11-21T12:45:00.000-08:00

From: "Montgomery Pollack" Monty@hpr.com

I own a motion picture prop house in Los Angeles, CA. and we are working on a film right now that takes place in 1872 and there is a scene where some nitroglycerin bottles are being delivered and unpacked. It is our job to supply the period correct bottles for this scene. Do you have any pictures of what a nitroglycerin bottle looked like or if it even came in a bottle when they were using it to build the railroads. ...

—Montgomery Pollack, Vice President, The Hand Prop Room LP

Questions

2011-11-20T12:55:00.000-08:00

From: "Tonya Dooley" dtdooley@frontiernet.net

1. How much would a train ride cost in the 1870's, and what would be included with that price of ticket?

2. How would the people eat and sleep on a train in the 1870's?

3. In the 1870's what land would be for sale along the train ride, and what would be the advantages for settling on this land?

4. What exciting towns and cities would have been seen on a train ride from Omaha, Nebraska to California?

5. What landscape and animals would people see along the train ride starting from Omaha, Nebraska and ending in California?

6. What would be some significant places on a train ride starting in Omaha, Nebraska, and ending in California?

7. How long would it take to get from Omaha, Nebraska to California without the train? ...

"Donner Pass Route Gets Added to Train Simulator 2012"

2011-11-19T07:08:00.000-08:00

"Donner Pass Route Gets Added to Train Simulator 2012." © Gamers Daily News, 11/18/2011. (News Article – Windows Software)

"Railsimulator.com Ltd is pleased to announce the Donner Pass: Southern Pacific add-on for RailWorks 3: Train Simulator 2012 will be available Thursday, November 24 [2011] ... This challenging route puts you at the controls of Southern Pacific diesels in the early-1990s ... " [More]

[Courtesy Google Alerts.]

News from Transcontinental Chautauqua

2011-11-16T13:08:00.000-08:00

From: "Chris Graves" caliron@cwnet.com

Being the rail/historical fans you are, the following most likely will be of interest. As to the film, the historical challenges in the first draft have been corrected. I do think you will like it!

—GJ Chris Graves, NewCastle, MP32, AltaCal'a

Click to see Transcontinental Railroad Chautauqua News and Information about ... the documentary film, "The Hidden Wonder of the World; the Transcontinental Railroad Today from Sacramento to Donner Summit."

Artwork of John MacQuarrie courtesy of Chris Graves.

"On October 7, 1867, after Tunnel 6 was holed through and before the first locomotive went through, Federal Rail Inspectors reported the following:"

... The crest of the Sierra is pierced by a tunnel 1659 feet in length, 16 by 20 feet, through the hardest kind of blue granite, and the line opens on the slope facing the east upon the precipitous side of a high granite peak, ... and is a wonderful achievement in Railroad Engineering. ... The laborers on the tunnel have been principally Chinese. They worked in gangs of three shifts of eight hours each per day laboring steadily day and night during the storms of one of the severest winters ever known in California, upon the summit of the highest mountain range in the United States and at an elevation greater by several hundred feet than the top of Mount Washington. The drilling is done entirely by hand laborer. Drilling machines were tried, but proved a failure.

A trip West before the railroad

2011-11-14T18:11:00.000-08:00

Where can I find information about a trip West before the railroad?

UPRR yellow passenger cars

2011-11-11T19:00:00.000-08:00

From: "Robert Anderson" rha90272@mac.com

I am involved with model railroading, and have passenger cars like the one shown below. Where can I get more information about the years these cars were used, and the routes they were used on? ...

—Bob Anderson

UP Madison passenger car

USGS California Historic Topo Maps Online

2011-11-10T11:09:00.000-08:00

"More than 13,000 online maps provide historic view of state" by Agustin Armendariz, © California Watch, November 9, 2011. (News Article)

"This week, the U.S. Geological Survey added 13,688 historical California topographic maps to its online archive, hundreds of which date back to the 1800s. ... " [More]

[Courtesy Google Alerts.]

Railroad ties per mile

2011-11-08T12:35:00.000-08:00

From: "Donna Munro" creationsbydonna@shaw.ca

How many rail ties are in an average mile of standard gauge (4' 8 1/2") track?

—Donna Munro

"Hell on Wheels" TV show

2011-11-01T13:36:00.000-07:00

The new fictional "Hell on Wheels" TV series about building the Union Pacific Railroad premieres Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 10/9c on AMC.

CPRR Discussion Group

2011-11-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

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See HOW TO POST to the CPRR Discussion Group.

Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum.
Copyright © 2011, CPRR.org

Food on the transcontinental railroad

2011-10-27T21:37:00.000-07:00

From: "Madi Wickens" madi.wickens@yahoo.com

What kind of meals were served on the transcontinental railroad in the mid-1880's?

Deaths during railroad construction

2011-10-27T21:10:00.000-07:00

From: "Karen Zahm" thezahmmer@yahoo.com

I'm looking for information on deaths that occurred during the construction of the railroad. Numbers, causes, safety hazards that were ignored, any narrative information would be great.

Workplace fatalities since 1933. Courtesy Peter Risdon's Weblog.

Charles Faxon Densel, CPRR locomotive engineer, 1870's

2011-10-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

From: "Terri Hildreth" tleeh1@aol.com

I am researching my great-grandfather, Charles Faxon DENSEL, who was an engineer for Central Pacific. I have four logs (or diaries) of his that are dated 1873, 1874, 1877, and 1878. The small, 4” x 5” leather bound booklets that are pre-printed with the following information: Engineer [name]; Month of _____, 187__; From; To; Miles Run; No. of Engine; No. of Cars; Kind of Train; Fireman [name]; Cords of Wood; boxes of Coal; and [a blank column for notes].

In these logs, he detailed his runs in Utah from Ogden to Toano, Promontory, Bovine, Terrace, Kelton, Blue Creek, and occasionally as far as Wells, NV. He also makes a series of notes in the back of the logs of names of various men and dollar amounts. Sometime in 1870-80, he moved to Tracy Minnesota where he continued his railroading career making runs from Winona to Mankato SD. There he was the secretary and/or treasurer for his local Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, so I’m guessing the names & amounts in the Utah logs were related to similar activities there.

Because I am compiling a family history, I am trying to find out how one became an Engineer during the 1870s and about how long it might have taken. My g-grandfather was originally from Marshalltown, Iowa and somehow ended up in Ogden, and I’m trying to make the connection. What kind of skills or daily activities were involved in being and Engineer? Was there an average pay scale for the position?

CF notes at least three types of trains he drove during the Utah time-period: Yard, Freight, and something he calls ‘lite’. I not sure what ‘lite’ indicates unless it means something like truckers who ‘dead-head’ empty from one place to another. I’m assuming a ‘Yard’ engine is some kind of switching engine at the round house – can someone confirm that? Are there specific types of engines that would be recognizable during this time period? I have a picture of one of his engines in Minnesota later on (maybe 1895-1900 or so), but I’d like to include photos or drawings of the type of equipment he might have been using at this time period as well. What kind of freight would he have been hauling? I think there would have been items such as building supplies and, given the area, mining supplies, but would there have also been luxury items being shipped to the West Coast on these trains as well?

Finally, can anyone recommend sources I might access to further help in my research? I found a nice article, Rails East to Promontory – The Utah Stations at nps.gov that gives a listing of the stations along the Ogden – Wells route and photos of several of those site locations, but anything else (print or on-line) that anyone could suggest would be nice. ... —Terri Hildreth

How long did it take to get across the country on the transcontinental railroad?

2011-10-23T17:54:00.000-07:00

From: "Daniella Lujambio" dannyvanilla@optonline.net

How long did it take to get across the country on the transcontinental railroad?

When was the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad unionized?

2011-10-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

From: "Tricia Rankin" xangel82x@gmail.com

... My great grandfather started working for the railroad around 1900 (give or take a few years), my grandmother refers to it as the Northwest Railroad in Chicago Illinois. I could not find anything on the Northwest rail, but found a lot of information on Transcontinental railroad. Is this the same railroad? If so, I was curious to know when the workers became Unionized. My grandmother told me that he fought for the Union and did become a part of it, so I was hoping you had some information on that. ...

—Tricia Rankin

Oakland mole: Were trains transported from the Oakland pier across the bay to the SF Ferry Building?

2011-10-18T18:37:00.000-07:00

From: "Michael Grace" mlpgrace@gmail.com

Great site ... but you have a major fact wrong regarding the Oakland mole. The trains were not transported from the Oakland pier across the bay to the San Francisco Ferry Building. The trains terminated in Oakland and the passengers were transported by ferry to San Francisco.. Has anyone been to the ferry building? The trains would have been sticking through it and going about two blocks into San Francisco?

This is incorrect ...

"Oakland Mole" California Railroad Terminal Postcard
"A rare glimpse of the busy Southern Pacific Railroad's busy waterfront terminal in Oakland, Calif., where trains [sic] would be loaded onto giant railroad-operated ferries for a short trip across San Francisco Bay and into the San Francisco Ferry Building. Prior to the construction of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in the late 1930s, this was the way train passengers (and freight trains) [sic] got from one side of the bay to the other. Use of the facility actually traces back to the late 1860s when the Central Pacific Railroad began transporting freight cars across the bay from what was then known as the Oakland Long Wharf, located at the western end of Seventh Street. The area around the pier was filled in in the early 1880s, and the Southern Pacific Railroad, which had taken over the Central Pacific Railroad, expanded and enclosed the facility into the scene pictured here. Use of the Oakland Mole declined after completion of the Bay Bridge, but some service continued there until about 1957. The Oakland Mole was demolished in the mid-1960s to allow for an expansion of the Port of Oakland cargo facilities. This postcard was published by the Newman Post Card Co. of Los Angeles, although it says it was printed in Germany. It features the longtime Southern Pacific slogan of being 'On the Road of a Thousand Wonders.' " Caption courtesy Jeffrey Aberbach.

—Michael Grace, Editor, Cruising the Past

Length of transcontinental railroad?

2011-10-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

What is the length of the first transcontinental railroad?

Question about passenger train travel in 1880

2011-10-15T21:07:00.001-07:00

From: "Vandi Williams" vw6704404@yahoo.com

... I am writing a piece of fiction set in 1880. Part of the story involves characters riding a passenger train from Denver to Kansas City. I am looking for information about what that would have been like (as a passenger) to provide atmosphere for the story. Most of the information I have been able to find online discuss the history of building railways without much in the way of what the passenger experience would have been like. Any information you can provide or can point me to would be greatly appreciated.

My specific questions include:

How long would the journey have taken? How many stops would it have made?

How many cars were on a typical train? What was the typcial composition (i.e., number of passenger / sleeping / dining / cargo / other cars and in what order would they have been strung together?).

What kind of food would have been available on the train (or did people get off at certain stops to eat instead)?

Were there bathrooms on the train? What were they like?

How big were the different kinds of cars and how were they laid out?

What kinds of security precautions were taken (were there security guards on trains)?

Assuming that passenger trains also had cargo cars, what were the typical types of cargo that were carried? ...

—Vandi Williams

Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper 02-09-1878, p. 389.

Railroads become legal persons

2011-10-12T14:59:00.000-07:00

A political article, Corporate Citizenship: How Public Dissent in Paris Sparked Creation of the Corporate Person with no references to primary sources talks about the history of the Central and Southern Pacific Railroads and the birth of the legal notion of corporations as persons.

What in that article discussing legal history is true and what is false?

[Courtesy Google Alerts.]

Locating CPRR land records

2011-10-10T13:21:00.001-07:00

From: "Sue Silver" ssilver1951@sbcglobal.net

Would you know where the old CPRR land records are held? I am researching a property in which a 1904 deed states the seller paid CPRR for the land. She apparently failed to file the deed in the County Recorder's office as it is not there. ...

The property in question is located within the S1/2 of the SW1/4 of Section 1, in T9N R8E. CPRR acquired the federal patent on the land on December 6, 1898 (Doc. No. 94, BLM Serial No. CACAA 048728). This is located in the area of Clarksville, El Dorado County, California.

... it would seem that some institution must have received these records unless when ... Southern Pacific took it over, they would have the land records. These would certainly fall under their real estate division if they retained the old CPRR records.

Thanks for any ... insight you might be able to provide.

—Sue

Employee records

2011-10-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

Where can I find information about railroad employee records?

Passenger guide for transcontinental railroad

2011-10-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

Where can I find a passenger guide for the first transcontinental railroad?

Train wreck - ?AT&SF

2011-10-04T16:07:00.000-07:00

From: "Helen Wyers" genbug2@verizon.net

Is there a list of railroad employees who were killed in train wrecks. George Sypher was a engineer and was killed in a train wreck sometime between 1880 and 1900. Most likely it was 1880-1882 because he was alive in 1880, a child was born that year and there were no other children. He lived in East Las Vegas, New Mexico in 1880. ...

—Helen Wyers

Cost to build a train?

2011-10-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

How much did it cost to construct the train?

Mistaken: "JAMES SUROWIECKI: PLAYING WITH OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY"

2011-10-03T13:28:00.000-07:00

"JAMES SUROWIECKI: PLAYING WITH OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY" Posted by Matthew McKnight, © THE NEW YORKER – New Yorker Festival, OCTOBER 2, 2011. (Comment)

"What do the Central Pacific Railroad company, Enron, and auto dealers all have in common? The incentive to score big with other people’s money ... " [More]

[Courtesy Google Alerts.]

CPRR Discussion Group

2011-10-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the CPRR Discussion Group at the Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum.

See HOW TO POST to the CPRR Discussion Group.

Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum.
Copyright © 2011, CPRR.org

Train schedule question- early 1900's

2011-09-30T19:38:00.000-07:00

From: "Amanda D." joyintherain8@gmail.com

I'm working on a piece of writing that takes place in 1903, and was wondering if you could tell me what time a train would have departed from San Francisco and arrived in Truckee during that time period, and what time a train would have departed from Truckee and arrived in Reno?

I've been enjoying perusing your website; very informative. Thank you so much!

—Amanda

Cost of Railroad Ticket

2011-09-30T06:44:00.000-07:00

From: "Helen Steinbrueck" hasteinbrueck@yahoo.com

I found your website most informative ... With respect to the cost of a train ticket in 1893, would it be possible for you to give me a general dollar amount for going from Rock Springs, Wyoming to any major city in New Hampshire? Would the cost be doubled if it were a roundtrip ticket.

I am writing a story and would like one of my characters to take this trip. The Panic of 1893 also occurred and there were numerous bankruptcies filed by the railroads.

If this is not too onerous, I would appreciate greatly any information you might be able to provide. ...

—Helen A. Steinbrueck

"The Octopus"

2011-09-28T18:06:00.000-07:00

From: "Christine Long" joseph.long2@verizon.net

We can't seem to find an answer to this question –
How did the Central Pacific get the nickname the "tortoise"[sic]? ...

When did the transcontinental railroad end?

2011-09-27T21:14:00.000-07:00

From: "Marla Friedman" mfcorefitness@comcast.net

When did the transcontinental railroad end?

Transcontinental Railroad versus Intercontinental Railroad

2011-09-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

"New gaffe: Obama hails America's historic building of 'the Intercontinental Railroad'" by ANDREW MALCOLM, © Los Angeles Times, September 23, 2011. (POLITICAL COMMENTARY)

""We’re the country that built the Intercontinental Railroad," Barack Obama. ... It's yet another humorous gaffe by the Harvard graduate. ... " [More]

[Courtesy Google Alerts.]

Historical question - rail and ballast

2011-09-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

From: "B.F.G. Gabe" nommalednew@gmail.com

I have a language Arts assignment that I am supposed to ask a question about a historical event that isn’t asked very much. I live out here by Golden Spike National Historic Site. My dad worked one summer when I was a little kid as a fire tender/track repair/ and locomotive operator for the locomotives. So I thought about what he does and thought something I hadn’t heard about was how did they make and where did the railroad workers get ... the ballast for the transcontinental railroad to put under the rails and where did they get the stuff for the rails and how were the rails made.

I have been looking on the internet and haven’t found much on this could you please provide the information you have available to you on the matter? ...

—Ammon Wendel

Information Request - JB Silvis Locomotive

2011-09-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

From: "William T. Shenton" shentonw@bellsouth.net

In the paper, J.B. Silvis Union Pacific's Nomadic Photographer, there is a picture of UP Locomotive #5, a 4-4-0T. Do you know of any drawings for this locomotive, who built the locomotive, or other information that I could use to build a model of this engine. I have built a model of the photographers car and now desire to build an engine model.

—Bill Shenton, Apex, North Carolina

Schuyler Colfax, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, was a strong advocate for the construction of the Pacific Railroad

2011-09-18T13:06:00.000-07:00

"Colfax's namesake was strong advocate for railroad" by Nancy Hagman, © Colfax Record, 9/15/2011. (News Article)

"Long before the Civil War took place Schuyler Colfax, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, was a strong advocate for the construction of railroads across the nation ... During the summer of 1865, at the request of President Lincoln just before his assassination, Colfax took a lengthy trip across the continent. ... Samuel Bowles, traveling with Colfax, reported in his journal, Across the Continent (1865), 'Our party made a very profitable and interesting excursion over the route of the Central Pacific Road from Sacramento to Donner Lake, on the eastern slope of the mountains, by special train and coaches, and along the working sections on horseback. The track is graded and laid, and trains are running to the new town of Colfax (named for the Speaker), which is fifty-six miles from Sacramento. Grading is now in active progress on the next section, to Dutch Flat.' " [More]

[Courtesy Google Alerts.]

Travel Guide

2011-09-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

What are significant places along route of the first transcontinental railroad?

Cost

2011-09-12T13:59:00.000-07:00

What is the price of first transcontinental railroad? How much did it cost?

North Platte, Nebraska - Union Pacific’s Bailey Train Yard

2011-09-11T07:29:00.000-07:00

"HIGHWAYMAN: Golden Spike towers over 'Hell on Wheels'." © Delaware County Daily Times, September 10, 2011. (News Article)

"... world’s largest and busiest railroad yard ... eight miles long and covers 2,850 acres ... includes 315 miles of track and 766 turnouts ... handles up to 10,000 railroad cars per day ... 8,500 locomotives are serviced monthly ... shop crews handle about 300 locomotives a day ... and replaces 10,000 pairs of wheels annually ... Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center ... an eight-story tower with a 360-degree view of Bailey Yard and the Platte River Valley ... " [More]

[Courtesy Google Alerts.]

"Union Pacific Railroad Museum Launches New Website"

2011-09-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

" 'The new website is dynamic and quickly captures viewers' interests, with the ultimate goal to have them visit the museum,' said Beth Lindquist, director – Union Pacific Railroad Museum. ... " [More]

Above not affiliated with the CPRR Museum.

"Walk through the Donner Pass train tunnels Tuesday, Sept. 13"

2011-09-10T07:46:00.000-07:00

"Walk through 145-year old train tunnels bored through solid granite and walk along the wagon routes that date back to 1844. ... " [More]

North Lake Tahoe Historical Society
Gatekeeper's Museum

[Courtesy Google Alerts.]

Not affiliated with the CPRR Museum or the Union Pacific Railroad; Entirely at your own risk.

Rail Travel in 1903 to San Francisco

2011-09-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

From: "JOHN MEADOWS" johnmeadows851@btinternet.com

I'm researching the route my Great Aunt Harriet Wiltshire would have taken after landing at Ellis Island New York in 1903. She arrived on the SS Celtic from Liverpool, England bound for San Francisco.

Understanding that the Panama Canal did not open until 1914 I am assuming that she would have used the Central Pacific railroad to get to San Francisco. Is this the route taken by most immigrants at that time? Can you please give me any further information relating to travel on your railroad in 1903 to this destination. ...

—John Meadows, Sandhurst, Berkshire, England

Doctor William Curless

2011-09-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

From: "Barbara Czerwinski" bczerwin@suddenlink.net

For a historical Truckee, California medical project, I am seeking information about Dr. William Curless (23. Jan. 1823 - 26. Jan. 1898). He was a student at Rush Medical College in 1847. In late 1860's, he came to Truckee as the first Central Pacific Railway physician-surgeon. He remained in Truckee as a CPRR and family practice physician-surgeon for the completion of his career and is buried in the Truckee Cemetery. Do you have any pictures of Dr. Curless during his Truckee time? ...

Barbara Czerwinski, PhD
Truckee-Donner Historical Society, Inc.
Research Volunteer

Redwood Snowshed Remnants at Donner Pass

2011-09-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

See a video of the Redwood Snowshed Remnants at Donner Pass.
[SKIP TO 5:45 in this Youtube video.]

Old growth redwood with original nails/spikes/hardware discarded from wooden snowsheds at Donner Pass found on hillside below concrete snowshed. Video by Alex Kerekes of storiesbyalex.com.

[Courtesy Google Alerts.]

Railroad Jobs, Careers

2011-09-05T01:01:00.000-07:00

From: "Michael Armstrong" chevyjones50@gmail.com

I have been trying to figure out how to apply for the rail road and all I can find is museum stuff. Is there another web site or some thing I can go to?

CPRR Bell - real or fake?

2011-09-05T00:53:00.000-07:00

From: mbpatr01@windstream.net

I recently purchased a CPRR bell and I can't seem to find any information about it anywhere. All I have found out is that it was a horse drawn bell. Where can I gather more information on this and is their any way to determine if the bell is real or fake?

—SPC. Mark B. Patrick, U.S. Army

Unknown plaster tile image of Train hauling Stagecoaches

2011-09-03T15:29:00.001-07:00

From: "Paul Russell" assistant@digitalpath.net

Was wondering if you can tell me anything about this image, such as the original artist, Wells Fargo Stages being hauled to ?, etc. This is a plaster of paris tile with this image carved in relief on it (probably taken from an old photograph or engraving). Any information would be appreciated.

—Paul Russell, Assistant Director, Plumas County Museum, Quincy, California

Railroad Network website relaunched

2011-09-02T09:45:00.001-07:00

From: "Evan Britton" evan@resourcewebs.com

I'm Evan Britton with Railroad.net. ... I wanted to let you know about the re-launch of our website.

Railroad.net was re-launched to help users track what is happening within the railroad industry. The website provides daily news, opinions, and commentary surrounding Amtrak, Freight Rail, High-Speed Rail, Railroad Events, & Passenger Rail.

The site launched in 1996 and over the years it has been a widely popular railroad forum. With over 11,000 members, the forum has been a place for users to ask and answer questions, and comment on railroad related issues. So today, in addition to this forum, the site will now be a hub for railroad industry news.

Check it out and let us know what you think. ...

—Evan Britton, President, ResourceWebs

Rail travel from Dakota Territory to El Paso, Texas c. 1880's

2011-09-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

From: "Eric Stoltz" eric@ericstoltz.com

My great-great grandfather Ludwig Josef "Louis" Stoltz was born in Delano, Wright County, Minnesota in 1866. A family story tells the story of him suddenly leaving the family homestead in the Dakota Territory at the age of 16 and striking out on his own. The last record of him in either North Dakota (near Casselton, Cass County) or St. Paul, Minnesota was in 1880.

The next known record of Louis was his marriage to Apolonia Lujan in 1895 in El Paso, Texas.

What railroad route, why and when did Louis most likely move to El Paso? he had no family there and his roots and connections were in St. Paul.

I know the Southern Pacific was the first railroad to arrive in El Paso in 1881. And ideas as to how he got from either Casselton or St. Paul to El Paso?

—Eric Stoltz, Los Angeles

CPRR Discussion Group

2011-09-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the CPRR Discussion Group at the Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum.

See HOW TO POST to the CPRR Discussion Group.

Dominating the landscape - Exhibit captures vision of nature as depicted by Hudson River School artists

2011-08-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

"Dominating the landscape - Exhibit captures vision of nature as depicted by Hudson River School artists" by Cate McQuaid, © The Boston Globe, August 26, 2011. (ART REVIEW)

" ... [Albert] Bierstadt’s grand Donner Lake From the Summit ... A sumptuous landscape, with the turquoise lake cradled in mountains beneath a lemony sky, this painting was commissioned by railroad magnate Collis P. Huntington to commemorate the Central Pacific Railroad’s highest geographic point, which required blasting nine tunnels through solid granite. A shiny train laces across the mountain’s edge on the right of the painting. Bierstadt painted it in 1873, 27 years after the Donner party was trapped at the pass. Viewers at the time wouldn’t have missed the juxtaposition of the railroad’s forward progress with the earlier plight of pioneers. ... " [More]

[Courtesy Google Alerts.]

Alfred A. Hart Stereoview numbers, CPRR Sierra Nevada & Sacramento Valley scenes

2011-08-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

From: "Douglas and BJ" flacollector@bellsouth.net

I have acquired a collection stereoviews ... There are a few you don’t have the title listed ... in your catalog. ...

—Douglas Hendriksen

Best place to stop for viewing

2011-08-14T08:02:00.000-07:00

From: "Natasha Weissman" Natasha.Weissman@academicpartnerships.com

I am visiting Reno, Nevada and the Sierras soon. I would like to visit the Summit tunnel while I am there. Do you know the best place to stop for viewing? ...

—Natasha Weissman

Save the Sanderson Texas Depot from Demolition on 8/15/2011

2011-08-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

From: "Jean-Guy Dube" jgdube@hotmail.com

... I'm helping Bill Smith of the Sanderson Depot Association save their 1883 Southern Pacific Historic Depot from demolition by the Union Pacific. U.P. will demolish the depot on August 15, 2011 (5 days from now). Please take a brief moment to email Union Pacific representative Clint Schelbitzki, and ask if U.P. can extend their deadlilne for this hardworking community group to continue to raise funds and relocate the depot. Link to send an email via UP's email system to Mr. Schelbitzki.

I know this is short notice, but your brief email or call could help save this unique and rare depot. If you can add how saving these depots have benefited their respective communities. I think it would also help if you include your title and affiliation with your respective communtiy group or institution.

Time is really critical – if you can do this in the next few hours or day, I'd really appreciate it. I have a special interest in this particular depot as it is a contemporary depot to my hometown of Indio, California. The Indio depot was also built in 1883 – and lost to fire in 1966, and got me interested in my current career in architecture. Maybe the saved Sanderson Texas depot will inspire future youth and be another community focal point - or - will it be just another pile of splintered wood and destroyed history.

—Jean-Guy Dube, SP Depot Historian & Draughtsman

More information about the Sanderson, Texas Depot

Save-Our-Depot on Facebook

"Finding Jake Lee: The Paintings at Kan's"

2011-08-09T17:29:00.000-07:00

Previously lost mid-20th century paintings depicting 19th century California Chinese are now on display in San Francisco:

"Current exhibit of Jake Lee's vibrant water colors depicting unseen history to California's earliest days at the Chinese Historical Society of America" [More]

Exhibit Catalog: Finding Jake Lee: The Paintings at Kan's

New Transcontinental RR Program: Announcing the First-ever Transcontinental Chautauqua

2011-08-05T15:14:00.000-07:00

From: "Bill George" w_george1@msn.com

My name is Bill George and I am working with local historians and RR buffs to present a program on the Transcontinental RR. Since we live near the line over Donner, we are focusing on the CP and the towns it went through.

... [Here is a] link to our website
[Announcing the First-ever Transcontinental Chautauqua] ...

If you have any questions feel free to call or e-mail ...

Bill George
916-899-9871

CPRR Discussion Group

2011-08-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the CPRR Discussion Group at the Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum.

See HOW TO POST to the CPRR Discussion Group.

Surveying for Railroad? - Gilbert Winslow Colby

2011-07-29T22:08:00.000-07:00

From: "Wyatt, Kyle" kwyatt@parks.ca.gov

Any thoughts on G.W. Colby?

—Kyle

From: bearhistory@sbcglobal.net

I am an historian in Butte County ... researching Gilbert Winslow Colby, usually referred to as G.W. Colby. I am his seventh cousin, twice removed, but this is not a genealogical project. G.W. was an Argonaut who accomplished much in Northern California, only to have been lost in history. I eventually will publish his story in an historical journal.

I have attached a brief biography of G.W. for reference.

My reason for contacting you is that G.W. apparently surveyed for "the railroad' and was present at the Golden Spike ceremony at Promontory Point, Utah. So far I have not been able to substantiate this. Comments to this effect come from two sources: 1) Daughters of the American Revolution, Unpublished Records of the Families of California Pioneers, May 1932 and 2) Reminiscences of William E. Colby UC, Berkeley, 1954. (William E. was G.W.'s oldest son and he may have been the source of the DAR information.)

The DAR information says: "He surveyed the transcontinental railroad and was present at the Driving of the Last Spike." The Reminiscences say: "While he was in Sacramento, he assisted in the surveying of the transcontinental railroad and was present at the driving of the last spike in Utah when the two branches of the railroad were connected."

Are there records of railroad employees for this time period and/or who was at the Utah ceremony? Can you refer me to any other railroad historians that could help me?

I will greatly appreciate any assistance that you may give.

—Robert E. Colby

Gilbert Winslow Colby

Born in New Hampshire in 1825, Gilbert Winslow Colby came around the Horn and arrived in Sacramento in 1849. A graduate of Norwich University, he was a civilian and military engineer. However, in California he started as a merchant in the "Round Tent" in Sacramento selling mining tools that he and three partners had brought to California. He sold tools and mined at Red Bank. Then in 1850 went into partnership on a ranch at Brighten near Sacramento, becoming one of the first to successfully raise and ship grain from the area. (Grain produced far more wealth than did gold in California.) Studying law on the voyage to California, he was admitted to the State Bar in 1852, A Democrat; he served in the State Assembly in 1851-52 and in the Senate in 1854-55 representing Sacramento County. After an argument, he was physically assaulted by Senator Leake (Calaveras Co.) on floor of senate. He was Sacramento County Surveyor, 1854-55 and later was City and County Engineer for several years. He was State Locating Agent for School Lands from 1860 to 1869. He married Caroline Amelia Smith on 12-8-66 and they had five children. In 1858 he bought several hundred acres of land in Butte County along the Sacramento River northwest of Chico where he established Colby's Landing and opened a mercantile. In 1859 was shot at by Wm. Rouse in Brighton (Sacto Co.). In 1868 he began operation of a ferry at the landing. He increased his land holdings, playing a role in starting grain farming in Butte County. In 1870 when the California & Oregon Railroad came north, he founded the town of Nord two miles east of Colby’s Landing and moved his mercantile there. He was postmaster and Wells Fargo and railroad agent in Nord. He had agricultural interests initially in Sacramento and later in Butte, Glenn, Colusa, Tehama, Yuba, Solano and Contra Costa Counties. He was a director of the Bank of Butte County. He founded the Nord chapter of the Grange and later became president of the Granger’s Bank. He was a mason and member of the IOOF. In 1875 he moved to Benicia where Caroline died on 10-24-79. He married again, but this wife died within three months. On October 14, 1880 he was involved in a gunfight with Robert McCarger on the Colby Ranch near Concord. Both were tried for assault with the intent to commit murder. McCarger was found not guilty, but on May 31, 1881 GWC was found guilty. The verdict was overturned apparently due to McCarger’s bribery of a witness. At age 56, GWC died of "brain fever" while in San Francisco on August 20, 1881. He had a ranch in Colby Meadows on Colby Creek near Butte Meadows and nearby is Colby Mountain in Tehama County. He was a friend and contemporary of General John Bidwell a pioneer in Butte County and in the State.

He may have surveyed for the Central Pacific Railroad and been present at the driving of the Golden Spike in Utah. He also may have owned a sawmill in Sacramento area.

From: "Larry Mullaly" lmullaly@jeffnet.org

The only references to GW Colby that I find in my material is his role as a Democratic legislator in the early 1850s. Root’s account fails to mention him, but then Root’s list of survey members reflects only parts of the CP Engineering Dept.

—Larry

Why isn’t the Transcontinental RR designated a National Historic Trail?

2011-07-26T13:42:00.000-07:00

From: "Gene Finke" genefinke@windstream.net
Subject: National Trails System

National Historic Trails are designated to protect the remains of significant overland or water routes to reflect the history of the nation.

They represent the earliest travels across the continent on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail; the nation's struggle for independence on the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail; epic migrations on the Mormon & Oregon Trails and the development of continental commerce on the Santa Fe Trail. They also commemorate the forced displacement and hardships of the Native Americans, on the Trail of Tears.

Why isn’t the Transcontinental RR designated a National Historic Trail?

Gene Finke, Beatrice, Nebraska

Folsom Roundhouse Site

2011-07-24T13:33:00.000-07:00

From: "Bill Anderson" bill@fedshra.org

This brass plate was found at the site of the first roundhouse in Folsom, California.

The plate measures 4-1/8" L by 2-3/8" W.

The letters: C.P.R.R. Co. are stamped on the plate measuring 1" long by 1/8" high.

Question: Where might this plate have been mounted?

Also see broken CPRR lock from the roundhouse foundation.

—Bill Anderson, Folsom RR Museum

Huge 1870's Bradley & Rulofson Photo - Do you recognize this person?

2011-07-20T00:35:00.000-07:00

From: "Charles Parker" cvp2001@yahoo.com

I have a large Victorian photo (from a glass plate) that has BRADLEY & RULOFSON SAN FRANCISCO at the base of it. It measures 15" x 19" frame dimensions are 27" x 33". Portions of the frame are made of redwood and it came from a Berkeley estate along with a number of early nautical items. There is a color die cut emblem within the decoration on the mat that says E Pluribus Unum. I think it might be a CA senator or person of importance due to the size (expensive at the time) but can't find any name on it other than Bradley & Rulofson.

Do you recognize the sitter or could you suggest another museum to contact?

—Charles Parker

Golden Spike in Washington, DC

2011-07-18T07:10:00.000-07:00

Apparently the Golden last spike of the transcontinental railroad is on display at The Great American Hall of Wonders exhibit at the Smithsonian's Museum of American Art, on loan from Stanford University until January, 2012.

[Courtesy Google Alerts.]

Rail historian invitation - High Speed Rail route from LA to SF

2011-07-07T11:34:00.000-07:00

From: "Travis Souza" travisvsouza@gmail.com

I am doing a project which involves walking the proposed High Speed Rail route from Los Angeles to San Francisco. This project is supported by the CCA/Wattis Gallery in San Francisco and will begin the end of August and end the end of September.

I am interested in finding a rail historian who might be willing to come out one day to walk a short portion of this route with me and contribute towards a recorded discussion. I am particularly interested in the history and stories related to the old rail line through Soledad Canyon. Would be able to help me get in touch with someone who might be interested in doing this?

I would be happy to talk in more detail about the project.

Many thanks for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards,

Travis Souza