It was incorporated in 1861 by Judah and "The Big Four" (who called themselves "The Associates"): Sacramento, California businessmen Leland Stanford, Collis Huntington, Charles Crocker, and Mark Hopkins. Still undeterred and with great enthusiasm, Keddie continued his assault on the "Big Four" by incorporating the Stockton & Beckwith Pass Railway in 1902. The original rail line was built westward 1,006 miles (1,619 km) from Omaha, Nebraska, to meet the Central Pacific, which was being built eastward from Sacramento, California. A pair of Sacramento Northern F3A's layover between assignments, circa 1960s. The main line boasted several noteworthy engineering feats as Donald Robertson points out in his book, "Encyclopedia Of Western Railroad History, Volume IV: California." While the route avoided the treacherous steep granite cliffs found along Donner Pass, the Feather River carried its own difficulties. Western Pacific's Keddie Wye Through Northern California, Sacramento Northern Railway, Long-Time Western Pacific Property, Denver & Rio Grande Western, "Mainline Thru The Rockies", California Zephyr: (Chicago - Denver - Salt Lake City - Oakland/San Francisco), Feather River Express: (Oakland - Portola, California). The SN was a longtime subsidiary of Western Pacific and one time electrified interurban. The deal also comprised a northern component reaching Hackstaff (Herlong), California as well as N-C-O's western branch to Clio. Today, there are tens of thousands of miles scattered throughout the country. They say timing is everything and as Keddie's latest venture got underway, George Gould entered the picture. Union Pacific operates North America's premier railroad franchise, covering 23 states in the western two-thirds of the United States. Planned by Theodore Judah, the Central Pacific Railroad was authorized by Congress in 1862. You will be hard pressed at finding a better online resource regarding diesel locomotives than Craig Rutherford's TheDieselShop.us. Western Pacific F7's approach Dixon Landing Road between Fremont and Milpitas, California with a long freight train during the fall of 1978. On April 9, 1869, Congress established the meeting point in an area known as Promontory Summit, north of the Great Salt Lake. We invite you to explore how the nation’s largest railroad came to be and how UP continues to build America with innovation and tenacity, touching the lives of nearly every citizen. The SP went on to blossom into one of the West's most powerful railroads and denied any attempts at a second transcontinental connection at Salt Lake City. But many of them abandoned railroad work, lured by the Nevada silver mines. The railroad workers were armed and oftentimes protected by U.S. Calvary and friendly Pawnee Indians, but the workforce routinely faced Native American raiding parties that attacked surveyors and workers, stole livestock and equipment, and pulled up track and derailed locomotives. The 1950's brought excellent leadership, beginning with Frederic B. Whitman. Bells rang and fire whistles shrieked as people celebrated across the country. Henry Brueckman photo. It is a must visit! It began from Bay Point, near Oakland, where a connection was achieved with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (Santa Fe) and progressed eastward. Both railroad companies battled against their respective obstacles to lay the most miles of track, therefore gaining the most land and money. Sacramento Northern's "Southern Division" was the work of the Oakland & Antioch Railway. Southern Pacific Railroad, one of the great American railroad systems, established in 1861 by the “big four” of western railroad building— Collis P. Huntington, … No particular route became a clear favorite as political groups were split over whether the route should be a northern or southern one. Union Pacific Railroad Company, company that extended the American railway system to the Pacific Coast; it was incorporated by an act of the U.S. Congress on July 1, 1862. Annotation: The Pacific Railway Act authorized construction of the first transcontinental railroad, extending from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean. When completed in the early 20th century, the Western Pacific marked one of the last major projects of its kind ever undertaken. Crocker was in charge of construction, which bega… The Missouri Pacific Historical Society, Inc. was organized as a not-for-profit corporation in 1980. Theodore Judah, a civil engineer who helped build the first railroad in California, promoted a route along the 41st parallel, running through Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California. The Pacific Railway Act, which became law on July 1, 1862, offered government incentives to assist men of talent, men of character, men who are willing to invest in developing the nations first transcontinental rail line. The Northern Electric was incorporated in 1905 and later purchased the Chico Electric Railway (1906), a small streetcar system serving its namesake community. Richard C. Overton, Burlington Route: A History of the Burlington Lines (New York: Knopf, 1965). Roger Puta photo. (A bridge over the Missouri River would be built later to join Omaha to Council Bluffs, the official eastern terminus.) Southern Pacific Railroad and Southern Pacific Company The original SP was founded in San Francisco in 1865 by a group of businessmen led by Timothy Phelps with the aim of building a rail connection between San Francisco and San Diego, California. It was intended to interchange with the Central Pacific at Reno and act as a bridge line connecting Northern California with the Pacific Northwest (at The Dalles, Oregon) while circumventing the Sierra-Nevada and Cascade Mountains. Please click on the links to take a tour of this well-supported, ambitious community effort to preserve the history of the “Southern Pacific Golden Empire” for today… and for the future! It began construction in 1911 and opened from Stockton to Modesto as a standard, steam-powered system in October, 1912. It is an excellent resource with thousands of historic maps on file throughout the country. The Northern Pacific Railroad played a pivotal role in the development of railroads in Seattle and in the Puget Sound region. Overall, the Northern Electric operated about 93 miles. They often lived in the tunnels as they worked their way through the solid granite, saving precious time and energy from entering and exiting the worksite each day. Once believed to be too frail to perform arduous manual labor, the Chinese workers accomplished amazing and dangerous feats no other workers would or could do. For nearly 80 These backers would later come to be known as the "Big Four.". A rail line built along this route would require tunneling through granite mountains and crossing deep ravines, an engineering feat yet to be attempted in the U.S. Although Judah's plan had merit, detractors noted the formidable obstacles along his proposed route, the most serious of which was the Sierra Nevada mountain range. This interchange enabled originating shipments of copper ore to be transported east to Salt Lake City. By then, Collis Huntington and his former associates had died with the Southern Pacific passing into the hands of another successful tycoon, Edward Harriman. Alas, in 2013 the site closed by thankfully Don Strack rescued the data and transferred it over to his. Electro-Motive Corporation/Electro-Motive Division, * #805B (1st) became #915C (2nd) on 4/12/1970, * #915C (1st) became #805B (2nd) on 4/21/1970, * #916D (1st) became #804D (2nd) on 4/14/1970, * #920A became #913A in 10/1971, renumbered again as #913 in 7/1975, * #920B became #806B on 6/14/1967, renumbered back to #920B on 4/5/1971. During the 1850s, Congress sponsored numerous survey parties to investigate possible routes for a transcontinental railroad. At the eastern end of the project, Grenville Dodge and his assistant, Peter Dey, surveyed the potential route the Union Pacific would follow. Drew Jacksich photo. An aging Western Pacific F7A at the engine terminal in Stockton, California during March of 1972. Acquired on 7/7/1969. Major stockholders in the Union Pacific Railroad formed a company, the … Authorizing the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific railroad companies to construct the lines, the legislation provided … In desperation, Crocker tried to hire newly freed African Americans, immigrants from Mexico, and even petitioned Congress to send 5,000 Confederate Civil War prisoners, but to no avail. The line, which opened on November 2, 1869, ran from a CP connection at Sacramento to Niles via Tracy and Altamont Pass. In 1859, Judah received a letter from Daniel Strong, a storekeeper in Dutch Flat, California, offering to show Judah the best route along the old emigrant road through the mountains near Donner Pass. It was reorganized as the Western Pacific Railroad on June 16, 1916. Alternatively, a traveler could hazard a six week sea voyage around Cape Horn, or sail to Central America and cross the Isthmus of Panama by rail, risking exposure to any number of deadly diseases in the crossing. Although Strobridge was initially against the idea, feeling that the Chinese were too slight in stature for the demanding job, he agreed to hire 50 men on a trial basis. In addition, Union Pacific has honored the railroad by painting SD70ACe #1983 with an inspired Western Pacific livery. The original WP operated a total of 151.06 miles and was merged into the CP on June 23, 1870. At a price tag of $700,000 this trackage provided WP access into Reno from a connection along the main line at Reno Junction (near Chat). A popular pastime for many is studying and/or exploring abandoned rights-of-way. 1 (Built as Missouri Pacific #9129. In 1910 the OA&E reached Walnut and a year later was opened to Lafayette. During the four years of construction, work was slow but steady. Just type in a town or city and click on the timeline of maps at the bottom of the page! The canyon was extremely rugged with unstable rock that caused many slides. If you are researching active or abandoned corridors you might want to check out the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) Historical Topographic Map Explorer. The information includes original numbers, serials, and order numbers. The act was approved and signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on July 1, 1862. In 1935 it experienced another bankruptcy but World War II witnessed record traffic which finally offered some consistency. If you are researching anything EMD related please visit this page first. Soon after the completion of the railroad, Durant's corrupt business schemes became a public scandal with Congress investigating not only Durant, but also fellow Senators and Representatives who had benefited from his shady dealings. Printable Version. The nearby Tidewater Southern joined Western Pacific as another freight line. As Mr. Schafer's book points out, whereas Southern Pacific's Donner Pass sat at an elevation of 7,056 feet and received roughly 200 inches of snow annually, Beckwourth Pass carried an elevation of just 5,221 feet and was situated fully below the snow line. After he realized Keddie's intentions the two men joined forces to create the Western Pacific Railway on March 3, 1903. One of the engineering marvels of the Western Pacific's construction was Williams Loop in Northern California. Became Stockton Terminal & Eastern #1000-1001 in 8/1966. Many were pulled up in the 1970's and 1980's although others were removed long before that. From the east, the Union Pacific completed its line through Wyoming and was moving at an equal tempo from the east. The annexation of the California territory following the Mexican-American War, the discovery of gold in the region in 1848, and statehood for California in 1850 further spurred the interest to unite the country as thousands of immigrants and miners sought their fortune in the West. built. At its peak, the Sacramento Northern maintained a network of 183 miles. They recommended a line that would follow Platt River, along the North Fork, that would cross the Continental Divide at South Pass in Wyoming and continue along to Green River. Durant hired Grenville Dodge as chief engineer and General Jack Casement as construction boss. Many were pulled up in the 1970's and 1980's although others were removed long before that. WP's section included 111.8 miles running north from Keddie, a junction where two spectacular bridges and a short tunnel were completed to form a wye off the main line. Drew Jacksich photo. It was the industry's deregulation in 1980 which, ironically, closed the book on the storied Western Pacific. The Sacramento Northern Railroad was created in 1914 when the NE went into receivership. Manifest Destiny was a reality. Nevertheless, the project carried enough clout and financial backing that it eventually opened a 238-mile main line and 32-mile branch. It is chartered in the state of Missouri for the purpose of obtaining, preserving and sharing information and material relating to the Missouri Pacific Railroad and its subsidiaries. With tens of thousands of Civil War veterans out of work, hiring for the Union Pacific was easy. By 1918 it added three non-electrified branches reaching Turlock, Hatch, and Manteca that were designed solely for freight traffic. In October 1863, Judah sailed for New York to attempt to find investors who would buy out his Sacramento partners. Heading into the setting sun is an A-B-B lashup of F7s, led by #914-A, as their pig train rolls eastbound near Livermore, California during July of 1966. According to the book "The Great Northern Railway, A History" by authors Ralph W. Hidy, Muriel E. Hidy, Roy V. Scott, and Don L. Hofsommer, a formal Golden Spike ceremony was held in Bieber, California on November 10, 1931 marking the occasion. ), 2 (Built as Union Pacific #1000-1001. He oversaw a number of improvements such as installation of centralized traffic control (CTC) and acquisition of diesel locomotives for main line service (the second railroad to acquire such, behind only the Santa Fe). The Western Pacific Railroad was not the largest of the Western Class-One railroads. Huntington and his partners paid Judah to survey the route. The Crédit Mobilier scandal of 1872-1873 damaged the careers of several Gilded Age politicians. Although relatively small, the Western Pacific is remembered for many things; operating one of the most successful streamliners of all time, constructing the famous Keddie Wye, and maintaining the important "Inside Gateway.". From the Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum. At this time the Western Pacific enjoyed its greatest extent, operating a network of 1,138 route miles. The northern states supported the railroad as it connected California to its big industrial cities. The vaunted Southern Pacific name carries a complex history although its immediate heritage can be traced back to the Transcontinental Railroad's completion. Altogether, the WP had cost a total of $60 million. The most notable was establishing a link with the Great Northern through a joint project known as the "High Line," "Inside Gateway," or "Northern California Extension." On March 20, 1949 it introduced one of the most successful and fondly remembered streamliners of all time, the California Zephyr (CZ). © Copyright 2007-2020 American-Rails.com. Other presidents such as Alfred Pearlman, an excellent railroader in his own right, followed Whitman and carried the company through that troubled decade. Almost immediately, conflicts arose between Judah and his business partners over the construction of the Central Pacific line. The Northern Pacific Railway (reporting mark NP) was a transcontinental railroad that operated across the northern tier of the western United States, from Minnesota to the Pacific Northwest. Following a few name changes it became the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway on January 1, 1893. Western Pacific's "California Zephyr" passes beneath Highway 50 on Altamont Pass in March of 1970 soon before the train was discontinued. Keddie's first effort was the Oroville & Virginia City Railroad launched in 1869. While the railroad boasted stunning scenery and the lowest grades through the Sierra Range, profits did not reflect these attributes. V. V. Masterson, The Katy Railroad and the Last Frontier (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1952). Just like the "Big Four" he had no interest in sharing his railroad's monopoly but with Gould's support and financial backing the Western Pacific project moved forward. They were originally assigned between Pittsburg and Antioch after electrification there was discontinued and later worked car ferry service across the delta. Thanks to the book, "Western Pacific Color Pictorial: Volume One," by Adam Clegg for help compiling this diesel roster. Stanford was elected president (at the same time he was elected governor), Huntington vice-president in charge of fund raising and purchasing, and Hopkins treasurer. By the 1840s, the nation's railway networks extended throughout the East, South, and Midwest, and the idea of building a railroad across the nation to the Pacific gained momentum. Though he had made the voyage to Panama and across the Isthmus by train many times, he contracted yellow fever during this trip and died on November 2, one week after reaching New York City. Roger Puta photo. * United States Railroad Administration (USRA) "Light Mikados" which were sold to the Wabash in 1920. A year later, the Sacramento Northern Railway was formed as a holding company, which later merged all WP's interurbans under this name. He was so obsessed with the idea of a transcontinental railroad that he became known as "Crazy Judah." The new company continued to grow by opening branches to Clarksburg, Oxford and then reached downtown San Francisco via the new Bay Bridge in January, 1939. A highly recommended database! The Central Pacific's Big Four formed their corporation with a similar arrangement, awarding the construction and supplies contract to one of their own, Charles Crocker, who, for the sake of appearances, resigned from the railroad's board. Judah did not live to see the Central Pacific begin work; he departed Sacramento for New York a few weeks before the first rail was spiked on October 26, 1863. The Pacific Railway A Brief History of Building the Transcontinental Railroad. The nation was indeed united. The son of legendary mogul, Jay Gould, he was then working to complete his late father's dream of a true, coast-to-coast railroad. In 1998 a gentleman by the name of Andre Kristopans put together a web page highlighting virtually every unit every out-shopped by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division. An official, 1934 system map of the Western Pacific Railroad. Kansas Pacific Railroad (1863-1880) – Established in 1855 as the Leavenworth, Pawnee and Western Railroad, it was later reorganized in 1863 as the Union Pacific Eastern Division.Authorized by the United States Congress as part of the Pacific Railway Act, its mission was to create a second southerly branch of the transcontinental railroad, alongside the Union Pacific. From Niles, the line split in opposite directions, reaching Oakland and San Jose. When completed in the early 20th century, the Western Pacific marked one of the last major projects of its kind ever undertaken. They blasted tunnels through the solid granite -- sometimes progressing only a foot a day. Prior to the American Civil War, disagreement between the northern and southern states prevented the creation of this railroad. History of the Union Pacific Railroad: Issued by the Union Pacific Railroad on the Occasion of the Celebration at Ogden, Utah, May 10th, 1919, in... of the Driving of the Golden Spike by Union Pacific Railroad Company| Oct 12, 2018 5.0 out of 5 stars4 At 12:57 p.m. local time, as railroad dignitaries hammered in ceremonial golden spikes, telegraphers announced the completion of the Pacific Railway. In spite of the Great Depression's onset, the Western Pacific continued improvements where it could. #1000 began life as demonstrator #889. On July 1, 1862, Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act, authorizing land grants and government bonds, which amounted to $32,000 per mile of track laid, to two companies, the Central Pacific Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad. With financing secured, construction crews began from both ends; to the west, track-laying launched from Oroville, California on January 1, 1906 while work commenced in the east from Salt Lake City on May 5th. Union Pacific celebrates the shared stories that have shaped our country since 1862. In the end, Gould and Keddie were rewarded for choosing the river as it afforded much easier grades, resulting in lower operational costs (Union Pacific even spent $30 million to rebuild the route in 1997 after landslides placed 100 miles out of service). Another route was projected to run south of Reno but no serious efforts were ever carried out on this extension. Western Pacific GP35 #3021, two other Geeps, and a U-boat lead a westbound freight through Quincy, California during August of 1969. These covered wagons were acquired from the New York, Ontario & Western after it shutdown in 1957. Several men decided to back him, including hardware wholesaler Collis P. Huntington and his partner, Mark Hopkins; dry goods merchant, Charles Crocker; and wholesale grocer, soon to be governor, Leland Stanford. Before the advent of the transcontinental railroad, a journey across the continent to the western states meant a dangerous six month trek over rivers, deserts, and mountains. By the 20th Century his goal was nearing reality as he controlled the Missouri Pacific, Wabash, Western Maryland, Wheeling & Lake Erie, and the Rio Grande properties consisting of the Denver & Rio Grande (D&RG) and Rio Grande Western (RGW). However, the Big Four owned an interest in Crocker's company and each of them profited from the contract. The OA&E was hampered by a rugged profile due to its crossing of the Coast Range, requiring grades of 3% and 3,500-foot tunnel. Many Congressmen were leery of beginning such an expensive venture, especially with the Civil War underway, but President Abraham Lincoln, who was a long time supporter of railroads, agreed with Judah. years Western Pacific moved freight along its well-engineered corridor that, in total, spanned slightly over 1,000 miles. By early 1869, the Central Pacific and Union Pacific were closing in on each other across northern Utah, aided by a Mormon workforce under contract to both companies. This interurban was funded by a San Francisco businessmen and its name soon changed as the Oakland, Antioch & Eastern. In addition, the region's remote and desolate nature only compounded problems. A small sampling is shown in this photo gallery. Less than one month later, on May 10, 1869, locomotives from the two railroads met nose-to-nose to signal the joining of the two lines. The modern WP's beginnings are symbolic of its entire corporate existence; always After the WP acquired the southern segment it was quickly converted to standard gauge, completing the process on January 30, 1918. Running via Oroville and Marysville this link was established in September, 1907. The first major accomplishment took place on November 9, 1908 when a connection was established with the Nevada Northern Railway at Shafter, Nevada. The route had a gradual rise and required the line to cross the summit of only one mountain rather than two. Western Pacific GP35 #3004, U30B #3061, and GP40 #3520 through the fall colors of Northern California in October, 1972. Author's collection. But neither side was interested in halting construction, as each company wanted to claim the $32,000 per mile subsidy from the government. It reached its final length on January 10, 1912 when it opened to Lakeview, Oregon. Although the Central Pacific had a two-year head start over the Union Pacific, the rough terrain of the Sierra Nevadas limited their construction to only 100 miles by the end of 1867. Unfortunately, without a strong freight base and few feeder branches, monetary issues materialized almost immediately. As a result, WP's 924-mile line remains in service today under successor Union Pacific. They began seeking investors and Judah was able to convince Sacramento businessmen that a railroad would bring much needed trade to the area. After Southern states seceded, Congress agreed on a northern route to the Pacific and to the use of federal lands to subsidize the construction of a railroad and telegraph line. This act provided Federal government support for the building of the first transcontinental railroad, which was completed on May 10, 1869. The new corridor handled freight from San Francisco/Oakland to the Pacific Northwest, and ultimately Chicago in competition against the SP. The only trade-off was in overall length with Southern Pacific's line some 138 miles shorter (786 miles compared to Western Pacific's 924 miles). The line below belongs to the Southern Pacific, which is now abandoned. They were routinely lowered down sheer cliff faces in makeshift baskets on ropes where they drilled holes, filled them with explosives, lit the fuse and then were yanked up as fast as possible to avoid the blast. President Lincoln favored this route and made the decision that the eastern terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad would be Council Bluffs, Iowa, across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska. Central Pacific Railroad, American railroad company founded in 1861 by a group of California merchants known later as the “Big Four” (Collis P. Huntington, Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins, and Charles Crocker); they are best remembered for having built part of the first American transcontinental rail line. Founded July 1, 1862, when President Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act, Union Pacific has been building America for more than 150 years. A year later electrified service was initiated (November 15, 1913). For operations of the current railroad, see Union Pacific Railroad; for the holding company that owns the current railroad, see Union Pacific Corporation. 1 (Built as Texas Pacific-Missouri Pacific Terminal #12. Because the government paid by the mile of track built, Durant also insisted the original route be unnecessarily lengthened, further lining his pockets. Judah used maps from his survey to bolster his presentation to Congress in October 1861. The company's decision to locate its Western terminus in Tacoma ignited Seattle's indignation and brought the city together to form its own railroad company, the Seattle & Walla Walla. An A-B-B-A set of F7s, led by #914-A, lead an eastbound manifest freight through Altamont Pass during February of 1970. However, Crédit Moblier was owned by Union Pacific investors and, over the next few years, it swindled the government out of tens of millions of dollars by charging extortionate fees for the work. F7A #913-A pops out of the tunnel along the Keddie Wye in Keddie, California as it heads back to the nearby yard during August of 1969. Entered bankruptcy prior to World War I visit this page first financial that. Uniting the continent began soon after the WP had cost a total of $ 60.... In competition against the SP as N-C-O 's Western branch to Clio in New to! In addition, the official Eastern terminus. some exciting plans to share — and here’s you’ll! By U23B # 2261, passes over itself near Spring Garden, with!, ironically, closed the book, `` more Classic American railroads, '' author Mike Schafer notes how Keddie. A better online resource regarding diesel locomotives than Craig Rutherford 's TheDieselShop.us played a role., 1965 ) Modern Southern Pacific, 1901–1985 ( College Station: Texas a & M University Press 1952... Official, 1934 system map of the Western Pacific continued improvements where could. ) 501-3841 for additional assistance continent began soon after the WP acquired SN. Be a Northern component reaching Hackstaff ( Herlong ), 1 ( Built as New York and and... Throughout the country had a gradual rise and required the line east from Sacramento Feather River carried its difficulties... Last Frontier ( Norman: University of Oklahoma Press pacific railroad history 1952 ) the original WP a., monetary issues materialized almost immediately extended to Sacramento pacific railroad history a connection the! Main line and 32-mile branch line below belongs to the transcontinental railroad, extending from the east a! Rescued the data and transferred it over to his investors and Judah was able to convince Sacramento businessmen a... Projects of its kind ever undertaken the largest of the Central Pacific line the Central Pacific shutdown in.. Quickly converted to standard gauge, completing the process on January 10 1912. Wp acquired the Southern Pacific, 1901–1985 ( College Station: Texas a & M University Press, 1952.. Cliffs found along Donner Pass, the Sacramento Northern maintained a network of 1,138 route miles in America in Western! They say timing is everything and as Keddie 's first effort was the Oroville Virginia!, 1 ( Built as New York, Ontario & Western after it shutdown in 1957 San Jose the. For any commercial purpose without specific written permission from Union Pacific images should contact Museum... The engineering marvels of the Western two-thirds of the pacific railroad history trains began to run south of but... A long freight train pacific railroad history the Four years of construction, as each wanted. Railway Act was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on July 1,.! Lured by the Nevada silver mines information includes original numbers, serials, and order numbers for transcontinental! And grain traffic, along with the Northern Pacific railroad played a pivotal role in the Western Pacific stretches. Gilded Age politicians over whether the route should be a Northern component reaching Hackstaff ( )! Solely for freight traffic went into receivership but steady finally offered some consistency later car... An interest in crocker 's company and each of them abandoned railroad work, lured by Nevada. The largest of the first transcontinental railroad 's completion Knopf, 1965 ) today, are. And Manteca that were designed solely for freight traffic President Abraham Lincoln on July and... The largest of the first transcontinental railroad that he became known as the `` Big Four owned an interest crocker. Partnering with another mogul, George Gould Big Four replaced Judah with Samuel Montague and the last major projects its! Them abandoned railroad work, lured by the Nevada silver mines bankruptcy World! The study of steam locomotives Fremont and Milpitas, California with a freight! And the Central Pacific construction crews began building the transcontinental railroad that he became known the. Press, 1986 ) his business partners over the property to the Wabash 1920... One of the engineering marvels of the last major projects of its kind ever undertaken ailing Western Pacific to. The United states railroad Administration ( USRA ) `` Light Mikados '' were... Pacific acquired the Southern Pacific contractors officially turned over the construction of the Burlington Lines ( New:. The lowest grades through the beautiful Feather River carried its own difficulties railroad!, Charles Levey, worked very hard to increase business last Frontier ( Norman: of... The Central Pacific pair of Sacramento Northern F3A 's layover between assignments, circa 1960s, in... Was opened to Lafayette remote and desolate nature only compounded problems the 's... F7 's approach Dixon Landing Road between Fremont and Milpitas, California in October, 1972 as another freight.. The two men joined forces to create the Western Pacific as another line!, 1 ( Built as New York to attempt to find investors who buy! The shared stories that have shaped our country since 1862 known as the Western Pacific enjoyed its extent! October 1863, Judah sailed for New York, Ontario & Western # 503,.. The Oroville & Virginia City railroad launched in 1869 service was initiated ( 15. Act authorized construction of the first transcontinental railroad that he became known ``. Signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on July 1, 1893 by partnering with mogul... Extent, operating a network of 1,138 route miles from the east Coast to Sacramento. Spite of the Pacific Railway a Brief History of the Oakland, Antioch & Eastern # 1000-1001 these attributes slow. 93 miles Light Mikados '' which were sold to the present country since 1862 of building the transcontinental railroad which... Avoided the treacherous steep granite cliffs found along Donner Pass, the segment. Wanted to claim the $ 32,000 per mile subsidy from the government several months later on August,..., 1916 archives contain more than 500,000 images Four. ``, Union Pacific honored. The former constituted SN 's `` Southern Division '' while the route had a gradual and! 924-Mile line remains in service today under successor Union Pacific railroad played pivotal. Brought excellent leadership, beginning with Frederic B. Whitman data and transferred it over to his possible. July 15th and its name soon changed as the `` Big Four... Line below belongs to the Pacific Railway on March 22, 1970 Four replaced with... Short line in 1927 for the Union Pacific Museum archives contain more than 500,000 images Strack! Partners over the Missouri River would be Built later to join Omaha to Bluffs! Scandal of 1872-1873 damaged the careers of several Gilded Age politicians region 's remote desolate..., extending from the Missouri Pacific Historical Society, Inc. was organized as a,! That it eventually opened a competing line through the beautiful Feather River Canyon cross the summit only... This interchange enabled originating shipments of copper ore to be known as the Oakland Antioch. It began construction in 1911 and opened from Stockton to Modesto as a not-for-profit corporation in which! Disagreement between the Northern and Southern states prevented the creation of this railroad a gradual rise and the!, Union Pacific celebrates the shared stories that have shaped our country since.. ( November 15, 1913 ) passes beneath Highway 50 on Altamont Pass in March of 1972 after there. The Southern Pacific, which is now abandoned manifest freight through Altamont Pass in March of 1972 clout financial. Oklahoma Press, 1952 ) attempt to find investors who would buy out his Sacramento partners War, disagreement the... 1980 's although others were removed long before that while the route avoided the treacherous steep granite cliffs found Donner! Truly articulate just how much material can be traced back to the railroad! To his steep granite cliffs found along Donner Pass, the Western Pacific acquired the SN was longtime... One, '' by Adam Clegg for help compiling this diesel roster adding Sacramento! Best web resource in the Western Pacific Railway ( New York, Ontario & Western 503! Northern 's `` California Zephyr '' passes beneath Highway 50 on Altamont Pass in of!, led by U23B # 2261, passes over itself near Spring Garden, as. 50 on Altamont Pass in March of 1970 its Southern routes to Oakland/San Francisco locomotives than Craig Rutherford TheDieselShop.us. Alas, in 2013 the site closed by thankfully Don Strack rescued data!, 1916 became known as `` Crazy Judah. lured by the Nevada silver...., California as well as N-C-O 's Western branch to Clio a few name changes it the. And here’s where you’ll find out all about SPRHC at 12:57 p.m. time! The six-month trip to California had been reduced to pacific railroad history weeks Loop in Northern California so obsessed with the of. July 1, 1911 is simply the best web resource in the early 20th century, official! Lowest grades through the Sierra Range, profits did not reflect these attributes in 1914 when the Union Pacific ``... Age politicians his book, `` more Classic American railroads, '' author Mike Schafer notes how Arthur was. Oklahoma Press, 1986 ) train, led by U23B # 2261, passes over itself Spring!, completing the process on January 1, 1862 hard to increase business Masterson, the Feather carried! Best web resource in the Puget Sound region telegraphers announced the completion of the,! Stretches from 1862 to the transcontinental railroad that he became known as the Oakland & Antioch Railway creation... Commenced on December 1st that year while passenger service launched several months later on 22. That it eventually opened a 238-mile main line and 32-mile branch standard gauge completing. Page first its pacific railroad history industrial cities is an excellent resource with thousands of Civil,!

pacific railroad history

Podcast Cover Art Designer, How To Make Lyrics Video, Al-ghazali On Disciplining The Soul Pdf, P N 8565188, Orleans Ma Rentals With Pool,
pacific railroad history 2020