The First Transcontinental Railroad - a human and engineering triumph

Started during the war that divided the Unitedbluffs near Omaha, Nebraska by the Union Pacific
States, the construction of the First TranscontinentalRailroad; sparking a competition between the two
Railroad was completed after the Civil War andcompanies to see who could finish first.
heralded an era of new unity and hope for theBoth companies had to overcome many problems
United States. But, before the railroad was evenand challenges, including material and labour shortages,
started there were many hurdles to overcome, andbefore their momentous task was complete.
the fact that it was ever built is a tribute to humanHowever, despite all the logistical problems and
resilience and endeavour.frequent attacks and disruption from Native
The discovery of gold in California in 1849 suddenlyAmericans, the railroad was completed after six
propelled the state from one that attracted littleyears and is still one of the most momentous
interest as it was considered a barren wasteland intoengineering projects ever carried out in the
one that people raced to inhabit and exploit.continental USA.
Suddenly, plans for a Transcontinental Railroad thatAt 12:20 p.m. on Monday 10th May, 1869 at
only several years earlier were ridiculed asPromontory Point, Utah, the insertion of the final
unworkable and over-ambitious were revived resultingspike marked the completion of the Transcontinental
in an 1853 Act of Congress. However, conflictingRailroad. The official ceremony was witnessed by
interests between North and South prevented anabout 600 workers and dignitaries, a bottle of
agreement being reached on the route. Ironically, itchampagne smashed over a special laurel tie to huge
was not until the outbreak of the Civil War that theapplause and a telegraph was sent to the nation
Transcontinental Railroad became a reality. Withcontaining one word; 'Done'.
Southern opposition removed from positions inOnce complete, the railroad instantly propelled its
federal government as a result of secession, thewestern coast terminus at Sacramento to
Senate and House of Representatives passed theprominence. The future Californian capital had acted
Pacific Railroad Acts in 1862 and 1864, whichas the distribution point for the building materials while
eventually paved the way for the construction of thethe railroad was under construction and once
railroad. Under this legislation the railroads werecompleted saw a massive influx of prospectors and
granted use of building materials and land across 20settlers from the East. As a result the city
million acres and received government support forunderwent a building boom which led to the
loans amounting to $60 million.construction of many homes, civic buildings, shops
Groundbreaking took place in January 1863 inand hotels in Sacramento, which were vital to
Sacramento, California by the Central Pacific Railroadtemporarily house the rush of settlers before they
and in December of the same year at Missouri Riverdecided upon their final location within California.