Unleashing the Thunder: Transcontinental Railroad at Golden Spike Utah

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  • Опубліковано 2 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 178

  • @jimbridge4166
    @jimbridge4166 2 роки тому +62

    As a retired operating employee of the Union Pacific Railroad, which built the line from Omaha westward, I was present at the park in May 2019 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of driving the Golden Spike that united the country from ocean to ocean. A very proud moment.

  • @lloydbaker6988
    @lloydbaker6988 2 роки тому +9

    Hey, Hey It's RVerTV Russ, Thanks for letting us Ride along to Utah with you my Friend. 👍

    • @rvertv
      @rvertv  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks for coming

  • @pjdemario1328
    @pjdemario1328 2 роки тому +21

    Those trains are works of art! Thanks for taking us along on the ride!

    • @rvertv
      @rvertv  2 роки тому +3

      Glad you enjoyed it

  • @70chevs
    @70chevs 2 роки тому +8

    Great piece of history, the railway network was the backbone of the country in those days.

  • @Cue881
    @Cue881 2 роки тому +22

    Another great video, Russ! You are making it possible for people to see things they otherwise never would! This was a great stop. Its like seeing "Hell On Wheels" come to life. Who doesn't like trains? Especially old trains! This is history tight in front of your eyes. Thanks!

  • @susanboatman7913
    @susanboatman7913 2 роки тому +21

    Trains look amazing for being over 150 years. Its interesting history, Russ. FYI, the Sturgis Rally had over 502,000 vehicles this year.

    • @TheBandit7613
      @TheBandit7613 2 роки тому +7

      They are recreations. That is a story in itself. I think the Park Service enlisted the help of Disney to re-create the locomotives as no one saved the plans and all they had as a guide was black and white pictures.

    • @harrisonedmonds2435
      @harrisonedmonds2435 2 роки тому +5

      not 150 years old originals were scraped in 1901 and 1903.. replicas were built in 1979

  • @apolloskyfacer5842
    @apolloskyfacer5842 2 роки тому +11

    G'day from NSW Australia. Once again Russ produces a top notch travel video by the master of quality road trip videos. !

  • @catholiccrusader5328
    @catholiccrusader5328 2 роки тому +2

    Thank you so much for this historic presentation! All my life I've wanted to see something like this now you made it possible! It's been a 76 1/2 year wait but it was worth it.

  • @stephbrandenburg9957
    @stephbrandenburg9957 2 роки тому +5

    Just amazed at the park system. That’s a real gem of history! Thanks Russ! Looking forward to seeing camping up there!

  • @alejack12001
    @alejack12001 2 роки тому +7

    Extremely cool stop. The meeting of the two trains, their restoration and the location where the Golden Spike was driven. I think there were a lot of Chinese builders of the railroads. A lot of the workers lost their lives boring through those mountains. Great history lesson! Russ, you need a train whistle for your van, that would be Too Cool for School!

  • @callieduval3000
    @callieduval3000 2 роки тому +3

    I would love to take my little nephews to this park they would love to see a train up close. Thanks Russ for taking us along.

  • @lindabrown2211
    @lindabrown2211 2 роки тому +2

    Again Russ, thanks for sharing the wonderful history that I may never have seen without your video. Looking forward to your next stop. Be well

  • @michaela.chmieloski3196
    @michaela.chmieloski3196 2 роки тому +12

    Must admit, Russ, the park is more developed than I thought it was; very nicely done. Thanks for stopping in.
    The Central Pacific, which build its portion of the transcontinental route eastward from California, agreed to compensation from the federal government for something like x-amount of dollars per mile of rail laid in the flatlands (as seen in the video) and 2x-amount of dollars per mile in the mountains. This led to a big court battle when the CP crossed a stream some 40 miles distant from what sensible people would deem the start of the Sierras. The railroad argued that the geological strata on the east side of the stream was identical to that of the mountains, while being completely different from that on the west side. The CP thus wanted compensation at the 2x rate despite the fact the topography was still flat as a pancake. Naturally, the federal government said phooey to that, so off to court the railroad went. After many experts testified for both sides, the court found in favor of the CP. Only in America!

  • @raybame5816
    @raybame5816 2 роки тому +1

    Very nicely done as usual. Thanks from all us home bound viewers who'll never get a chance to get there in person..

  • @stephrusty3055
    @stephrusty3055 2 роки тому +4

    Russ your just top notch ,excellent video ,you just can’t wait for the next venture 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

    • @rvertv
      @rvertv  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks 👍

  • @charlesp3764
    @charlesp3764 2 роки тому +6

    Thanks Russ. In the Sacramento railroad museum they have one of the golden spikes on display I believe it was the one that Stanford had. If I remember right they found it on eBay one of the founders nephews or whoever was trying to sell it. It’s cool to look at for sure.

  • @geraldarcuri9307
    @geraldarcuri9307 2 роки тому +3

    Gosh, you do such a terrific job of evoking the sense and feeling of the places you visit. It makes me feel as if I have been on the road trip with you. So realistic. No fluff. Thanks!

  • @davidw2959
    @davidw2959 2 роки тому +3

    We were there a couple of years ago and they have made some nice improvements to the viewing area. We were kept quite a ways away from the engines. Nice to see the improvements.

  • @colinwalters1768
    @colinwalters1768 2 роки тому +2

    Hi Russ,great video again. Those two locomotives looked superb. Really glad you took the opportunity to film them. Looking forward to your next video. Stay safe.

  • @eddie8279
    @eddie8279 2 роки тому +1

    We visited there in 2009, really enjoyed our visit,the lady that worked there then was from Mobile Al,we are from North Al and we had a nice visit. Her teenage son was helping with the restoration that they do to maintain the trains. I would encourage anyone traveling close to the area to stop and see the history there. Thanks for sharing!

  • @martyrose
    @martyrose 2 роки тому +6

    Thanks Russ! 🙋‍♀️Trains are beautifully restored. Very colorful. Wonder how far that locomotive would get on that tiny pile of wood. Beautiful scenery.

    • @TheBandit7613
      @TheBandit7613 2 роки тому +4

      The trains were painstakingly re-created with the help of Disney.
      No one thought to save the originals.They were used up and scrapped.

    • @martyrose
      @martyrose 2 роки тому +1

      @@TheBandit7613 Thanks for that! I can imagine they were worn out from years of trekking back and forth through hard terrain.

  • @NBZW
    @NBZW 2 роки тому

    Have been there many times over the years, would take relatives who were vacationing, always marveled at the mechanical beauty of these engines. Often spoke to the dedicated people involved. These are absolutely perfect replicas in every detail.

  • @SherryAustinMcginley
    @SherryAustinMcginley 2 роки тому +4

    I have relatives that are participants in the annual celebration at the Golden Spike park.

  • @johnpurdum8126
    @johnpurdum8126 2 роки тому +1

    Pretty cool Park Mr. Russ. Really neat that you can drive on part of the old railbed to see some sites.

  • @lynnleavitt478
    @lynnleavitt478 2 роки тому +4

    We visited there in the 80's, returning to Calif from a visit to Idaho.but I think I learned more from your visit than mine. I've been under the impression the trains are replicas of the originals, and not restorations.

    • @rvertv
      @rvertv  2 роки тому

      Very cool!

  • @charleshicks3492
    @charleshicks3492 2 роки тому +1

    Excellent park that I never knew about. Thanks Russ😎😎😎😎👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌🤩

  • @OkieJammer2736
    @OkieJammer2736 2 роки тому +1

    😄 Gotta say that your cheerful bumper music always makes me smile!

  • @jonaptv
    @jonaptv Рік тому

    Thanks for taking us along in this beautiful place.

  • @lucyfoster8624
    @lucyfoster8624 2 роки тому +1

    Thanks for another fine tour. Enjoyed myself just like I was a kid again! Never thought I would see that moment in history. Thanks for sharing.

  • @carolsmith5531
    @carolsmith5531 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you for taking me to a destination that in my golden years I will never get to see in person. I enjoy all your videos and always look forward to your new ones.

    • @rvertv
      @rvertv  2 роки тому

      Thanks for watching!

  • @billwing6917
    @billwing6917 2 роки тому

    Thank you for your efforts to bring this to use on you tube. You do a wonderful job with your knowledge and interest. 🙏

  • @ksr1177
    @ksr1177 2 роки тому +1

    Great video and US history lesson and engineering ability of our men back then. I was just in Utah not far from that I would have differently visited it if I had heard of it. Those trains were beautiful and so well maintained. Keep the videos coming and stay safe out there.

  • @williamterry9819
    @williamterry9819 2 роки тому +3

    Great video! Who knew this park existed and with the show?

  • @pravoslavn
    @pravoslavn Місяць тому +1

    Just FYI... those engines are not restored originals. They are completely new reproductions. The originals were scrapped decades ago. Loved your video, THANK YOU !

  • @ccrx6700
    @ccrx6700 2 роки тому

    Those locos are simply beautiful. Great job in showing us them. 👍❤️😊

  • @beckyyoung725
    @beckyyoung725 2 роки тому

    So interesting Russ! No one talks about this and it’s so historical! Thank you!🎉

  • @richardpalmanteer9798
    @richardpalmanteer9798 2 роки тому +1

    Just a quick note, golden Spike National Park is Brigham City, Utah is just south of there and that used to be the US Indian Police Academy where I went to back in 1978. It has now moved to Artesia, New Mexico.Added information: The Academy one of three law enforcement academies located on the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Artesia, New Mexico. The Academy designs and delivers training specific to Indian Country Justice Services needs for police officers, criminal investigators, correctional officers, dispatchers, and command staff. It has upgraded training now then when it was in Brigham City. In 1973, the Academy was relocated to the Inter-mountain Inter-tribal School campus, Brigham City, Utah, as an operation of BIA’s Central Office, Okay, well thanks for the video, just thought the above information was worth posting.

  • @susanweeres7915
    @susanweeres7915 2 роки тому

    I never knew this existed. I knew about the history of the railroads. But You find the best places and someday soon I'll hop in my car and head out!

  • @suesanchez5831
    @suesanchez5831 2 роки тому +2

    Very cool! Thanks for the tour. Definitely on my bucket list!! 😊

  • @pbramwell4281
    @pbramwell4281 2 роки тому

    Fantastic .nice to see children enjoying the history

  • @charlesyell6318
    @charlesyell6318 2 роки тому

    You are the next best thing to being there my self. Thanks for such great videos.

  • @lannyfaulkner6697
    @lannyfaulkner6697 2 роки тому +1

    This was a great video! Thanks Russ!

  • @danjohnson7767
    @danjohnson7767 2 роки тому

    Russ,
    You never stop amazing us!
    Thank you

  • @nancycain4434
    @nancycain4434 2 роки тому +1

    That was an interesting and fun video. It's truly amazing history. I love the rock they used to build that visitor center. Thanks for the video Russ and safe travels.

  • @jesscarey7666
    @jesscarey7666 2 роки тому +2

    Awesome Russ 👍

  • @BrendaHaltom-cs6ck
    @BrendaHaltom-cs6ck 7 місяців тому

    Wow that Golden Spike Railroad and trains was cool! And the Chinese Arch was too! Thank you Russ!❤️😀🇺🇸🚙

  • @lindamartin2045
    @lindamartin2045 2 роки тому +1

    Lovely video 👍👍🎵😎🎶🤗The vintage engines are gorgeous.

  • @caldeirarigs
    @caldeirarigs 2 роки тому +1

    So great! In my 2015 trip for Utah, I didn´t opportunity to see these railroad park, where U.P. met C.P. result in the first Transcontinental railroad in America more than 150 years ago. If you travel westbound near Interestate 80 in Utah and Nevada, you will show us many wonderful places. Thanks a lot from Brazil!

  • @tommanion5504
    @tommanion5504 2 роки тому +1

    Promontory is a rather "kick in the butt" for this life long railbuff. I spent 5-years stationed at Hill AFB and lived just off downtown Ogden (78-83). For those 5 years, I wanted to visit Promontory, but generally told myself "maybe next weekend". Well, advance forward to New Year's Day, 1988. Was in Ogden to pick-up a kid from her Xmas visitation with her Mama. I have a beloved photo, on my wall, of new wife standing on that Laurel tie.
    A word about the track and the locomotives. In 1902, the Southern Pacific completed the Lucin Cutoff across the Salt Lake. This 102 mile line eliminated 146 miles of track over the Promontory Mountains, resulting in a great amount of time and fuel savings. The SP kept the original line intact in case it was needed as a detour. After the start of WWII, the line was dismantled and turned in for wartime scrap. In preparation of the 1969 Golden Spike Bicentennial, the Park Service had two miles of track rebuilt on the original grade, replicating 1869 practices as much as possible.
    For the 1969 bicentennial, the Park Service borrowed two locomotives to play the part of the original locomotives, with the Jupiter and 119 having been scrapped in 1902 and 1904 respectively. After several years of trucking in stand in locomotives, the Park Service, in 1974, contracted with O'Connor Engineering Laboratories out of Costa Mesa, to build replicas of the two locomotives. Because there were no existing drawings or blueprints, the company had to create their own. With the assistance of railroad author Gerald Best and Disney Imagineering, they not only produced exact replicas, but the paint schemes as well. In the early 2000's, someone discovered a newspaper article written about the ceremony wherein the author gave a detailed description of the Jupiter. The Park Service decided that a repaint was required, so the replica now looks like the description in the paper. As built, according to an article in TRAINS Magazine (at the time), the replicas were powered by propane, but (according to a current website) were powered by waste motor oil provided by Hill AFB. In 1990, the Park Service decided to burn the fuel the original locomotives burn, wood or coal.
    Thanks for the memories, on so MANY levels!

  • @eutimiochavez415
    @eutimiochavez415 2 роки тому

    Was out there on may 10th! They have a show every yr on the day the spike was hammered

  • @PrimeTimeTravelers
    @PrimeTimeTravelers 2 роки тому

    Wow this place is awesome! We love trains as you can tell by our channel. This is a MUST do for us! Thank you Russ! Keep that channel growing.....100K is coming soon!

  • @edwardmathews9546
    @edwardmathews9546 2 роки тому +1

    Great stop, good to see the restored engines, beautiful.😉🚂

  • @patigirl2470
    @patigirl2470 2 роки тому

    Thanks so much for taking us here! Very interesting. Your videos are as good as being there!! Keep up the good work 😎

  • @smokymountain2234
    @smokymountain2234 2 роки тому

    Thanks 🙏 great program 👍God bless USA 🇺🇸🥰

  • @G34RH34D
    @G34RH34D 2 роки тому

    That is one beauty.

  • @ibuprofendave2771
    @ibuprofendave2771 2 роки тому +1

    Great video! As a history buff and railfan, please post more like this!

  • @dianelawrence1087
    @dianelawrence1087 2 роки тому

    My son volunteered on weekends so we had a chance to visit.

  • @stephend.mixell2042
    @stephend.mixell2042 2 роки тому

    Nice job again Russ those Engines were very cool so neat to see. I remember reading about the TCR in school never thought I would see it. Thanks for another great video. Keep on trucking and I will check you out again.

  • @dennisl7236
    @dennisl7236 2 роки тому

    Really enjoyed this video. Trains are in my blood ( grandfather engineer for Western Pacfic). Thanks. Dennis in Oregon.

  • @wendywhite4537
    @wendywhite4537 2 роки тому

    Thank you for uploading this. I didn’t even know it was there. I have to go see it.

  • @daveholte7658
    @daveholte7658 2 роки тому

    Amazing! Well done I can’t wait to see this
    Thanks for all your dedication and time and making this YT
    Outstanding!

  • @lindabradford9591
    @lindabradford9591 2 роки тому

    Lol, you certainly are a traveler. I've watched several of your videos and have enjoyed them all. Thanks for doing them.

  • @henrywardell4635
    @henrywardell4635 2 роки тому

    God Bless , United States America , Russ , RVerTV Fans. Happy Trails - U.S.A. - Russ - RVerTV Fans , Russ Too 4 School. Thank you Russ.

  • @skyebird3933
    @skyebird3933 2 роки тому

    PBS had a documentary on the building of the continental railroad a while back but enjoyed seeing your video on it. Cool stuff. Thank you, Russ.

  • @patc7055
    @patc7055 2 роки тому

    Very interesting. Definitely on my bucket list! Thank you for waiting for the trading to arrive. They are so well maintained.

  • @michaelsonleitner5724
    @michaelsonleitner5724 2 роки тому

    Thanks Russ for another interesting video! We were there in June and enjoyed it.

  • @Arcticfox7
    @Arcticfox7 2 роки тому

    Top notch stabilization on that front mounted GoPro. Super smooth even on dirt roads.

  • @capitaobravo805
    @capitaobravo805 2 роки тому +3

    Amazing!

  • @autumnskyes5633
    @autumnskyes5633 2 роки тому +1

    Years ago I watched that "Hell on Wheels" series based on this (mostly fiction though). It was a very long and hard project for sure. Great video, Russ! Glad to see you having such a good time.

  • @bobmiller6974
    @bobmiller6974 2 роки тому

    Good video of History on the Railroad, I’ll have to look into that thanks.

  • @dorisbuchmann4164
    @dorisbuchmann4164 2 роки тому

    That was terrific, learned more new information! Gotta pass this one to others, thanks…..

  • @timf6916
    @timf6916 2 роки тому

    Nice Road trip, GOOD JOB

  • @joannewinters9616
    @joannewinters9616 2 роки тому +1

    Awesome thank you

  • @yelapa999
    @yelapa999 2 роки тому

    Steel wheels on steel track. Maybe some icing here and there. You want something flat. lol Love that you hit these places that don't shined on much.

  • @nmelkhunter1
    @nmelkhunter1 2 роки тому

    Neat video. I think that had I been alive during the construction I would have been a surveyor. The went ahead of the construction and, in part, lived off the land. Anyone who is interested in the building of the transcontinental railroad should read Nothing Like It In The World by Stephen Ambrose.

  • @harleynavis5218
    @harleynavis5218 2 роки тому

    Russ we were there in april,was amazed at coming over the hill to see the solid rocket booster refueling site near the golden spike site

  • @lastnamefirstname7950
    @lastnamefirstname7950 2 роки тому

    Thanks Russ that was cool.

  • @martinduhansky5638
    @martinduhansky5638 2 роки тому

    I love your video on the golden spike I just got back from vacation in Salt Lake utah I didn't know the golden spike was in Salt Lake utah thanks again marty

  • @nancychughesredfern8604
    @nancychughesredfern8604 2 роки тому

    Somewhere in internet land there’s a documentary film / movie about this , I watched it years ago via my computer , yes very educational and interesting !

  • @rar7631
    @rar7631 2 роки тому

    The engines are just beautiful.
    The rail gauge looks much wider than todays.

  • @kimberlyshalaby1134
    @kimberlyshalaby1134 2 роки тому

    🙋‍Hello Russ! Well worth the drive to see The Golden Spike National Park. I thought the museum was really nice. I liked that wall was neat with the long brown wood like picture with houses on it. I could spend the whole day there looking at all those books. All about books. I liked the presentation by the Ranger. Loved seeing these old trains. One powered by wood, I thought was neat, I didn't realize a train could run on wood. Before my time I guess. The Chinese Arch was neat. It's far away from everything, but well worth the drive. Thank you Russ. Have a wonderful weekend.👍

    • @kimberlyshalaby1134
      @kimberlyshalaby1134 2 роки тому

      It's suppose to read - All about trains. Not all about books. I can't edit the error. My notebook won't let me use that feature, & once in awhile this thing throws in a few extra "u" s or "n"s here or there. Time for a new one.

  • @lindagolden9892
    @lindagolden9892 2 роки тому

    🚂 I was there back in the late 1980’s or early 1990’s. Wonderful displays and historic train show; aren’t they both such beauties. Somewhere along the way out yonder in my travels through Utah there was another remote dinosaur site, not the one in southwestern Utah. Also an area to dig up I think it was opals. 💎

  • @dawnafleming7605
    @dawnafleming7605 2 роки тому

    Thanks for your videos. They are great

  • @1hasbeen531
    @1hasbeen531 2 роки тому +2

    Great stuff!

  • @CampandTramp
    @CampandTramp 2 роки тому

    Great video! Thanks! It’s great to see what color the engines were after seeing only the black and white photos!
    You are close to Burning Man which starts Sunday. Maybe you can see it from the road.

  • @shellyrusek8035
    @shellyrusek8035 2 роки тому

    Looks so nice and green there. I love the name "Golden Spike". Great video Russ.

  • @robertjean659
    @robertjean659 2 роки тому

    Who doesn’t love an old steam train, great stuff Russ. 🇦🇺🇦🇺🚂🚂🚂

  • @LockerMart
    @LockerMart 2 роки тому

    Been there. Loved it.

  • @roylenesnider3814
    @roylenesnider3814 2 роки тому

    love your travels .

  • @mattanderson6336
    @mattanderson6336 2 роки тому

    When you get home you should dig up the 1939 movie ‘Union Pacific’ with Barbara Stanwick and Joel MacRae. A Cecil B. deMille classic. Tells the story of building the railroad west from Cheyenne to Salt Lake City. A few Hollywood stretches but still a good movie.

  • @davidknutson0616
    @davidknutson0616 2 роки тому

    Back from my 12 state road trip so am catching up on your videos. I went through Utah but didn't see where this was , maybe see it in the future. Take care

  • @waymanmcmahand5844
    @waymanmcmahand5844 2 роки тому

    thank you, very cool

  • @leonardvernon7176
    @leonardvernon7176 2 роки тому

    Nice vid Russ! Very best always, Len

  • @ericthered760
    @ericthered760 2 роки тому

    Pardon me, boy - Is that the Chattanooga choo-choo ??? No, I guess not 😄 But what a cool video ! Thanks for sharing the adventure, Russ. Like you always say: "Too cool for school !!"

  • @Kendallian132
    @Kendallian132 2 роки тому

    The 150th anniversary celebration was like the Woodstock of Railfanning events.

  • @larryjohnson6398
    @larryjohnson6398 2 роки тому

    Really an amazing video also very very well restored iron God is beautiful and I know a lot about the stories behind it because I've watched different shows and did a lot of reading get a Love Trains anyway but anyway thanks for taking us along you have a great day and be safe for us as always great job keep it up brother

  • @BlazingLaser
    @BlazingLaser 2 роки тому +5

    I came through here myself a couple years ago. When I saw the sign I debated whether it would be worth going 30 mi. out of my way. It definitely was! When I was there the two steam locos were parked. I didn't know they ran! I think they look much newer and cleaner than they would have in those days.
    The Jupiter was Leland Stanford's personal locomotive. It's SUPPOSED to be wood-burning, but I didn't see any smoke! Only steam, not smoke.
    I saw the actual Golden Spike at the Cantor Museum on the campus of Stanford University.

    • @joinjen3854
      @joinjen3854 2 роки тому

      These are re creations, not the originals.

    • @BlazingLaser
      @BlazingLaser 2 роки тому

      @@joinjen3854 I figured as much. They didn't have wood-burning locomotives in the 1860s that didn't burn wood! 8^) But in real life they wouldn't have looked so polished and new.

    • @johnhines3591
      @johnhines3591 2 роки тому +1

      @@BlazingLaser
      Was there about 10 years ago.
      The train from the west burned wood, lots of trees out west. One from the east burned coal due to coal deposits in the east.
      Both are recreations die to originals were scrapped decades ago. Newer trains use a compleatly different type of rail & different width of track .
      If I remember correctly, the original golden spike is in the museum at Berkeley.

  • @debbiekelsey5529
    @debbiekelsey5529 2 роки тому

    Loved this video I live in Idaho and didn't know that was even there!!!

  • @JonCurlee-o3p
    @JonCurlee-o3p 3 місяці тому

    Seen this as a kid 👍✨

  • @Marcy.Duvall
    @Marcy.Duvall Рік тому

    Great video!