I enjoyed your informative site!
I wonder if you can tell me which route an emigrant train would have taken from West Branch, Iowa to Portland, Oregon in 1885?
Would that have been the Union Pacific via Omaha, Denver and Ogden?
Would the journey have taken 7 days?
—Margriet Ruurs, writer, Oregon
From: "Don Snoddy" ddsnoddy@cox.net
ReplyDeleteYes it would have been the Union Pacific from Omaha west to Granger, Wyoming then up the Oregon Short Line through Pocatello, Huntington, and down the Columbia River to Portland. I doubt even an emigrant train would have taken 7 days, but weather conditions, etc., would have some bearing on the exact time.
—Don
From: "Margriet Ruurs" margriet@margrietruurs.com
ReplyDeleteThat is very helpful! Thanks so much,
—Margriet
From: "Margriet Ruurs" margriet@margrietruurs.com
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your help.
I'm working on a children's book and want to be as accurate as possible.
Would you please be so kind to check this possible route and schedule and see if this sounds plausible? I do know, from research, that the person I'm writing about went from West Branch, Iowa to Portland, Oregon and changed trains near Ogden, Utah and that the trip took seven days. Based on that I have constructed this route and schedule:
Day One: West Branch to Council Bluffs
Day Two: along Platte River through Nebraska
Day Three: outside Cheyenne
Day Four: across Rockies to near Ogden
Day Five: Ogden train change, then on to Pocatello
Day Six/Seven: Boise, through Columbia Gorge to Portland
Thank you for letting me know if this is feasible!
I appreciate your help.
—Margriet in Oregon