Railroad Turns 150
The workmen and company owners celebrate after the final spike of the Transcontinental Railroad is driven. (Credit: A.J. Russell, Yale University Libraries)
May 10, 2019
Irish contributions to American history received a special recognition this week. The 150th anniversary of connecting the First Transcontinental Railroad was commemorated in a two-day celebration in Utah May 9 and 10 at Promontory Point, the state landmark where the Golden Spike connecting the track’s east and west branches was struck on May 10, 1869. The railroad was six years in the making, with the physical labor conducted largely by immigrants – Irishmen making up a hefty portion.
Railtown 1897 Reopens To Celebrate Its Golden Anniversary oakdaleleader.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from oakdaleleader.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
With a rich and impressive railroad history, industrial heritage and as a popular destination for the Hollywood film industry, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, California State Parks, and the California State Railroad Museum are proud to celebrate 50 years of this special site opening for tourism to the delight of railroad enthusiasts over decades. While the railroad has been in place since 1897, it was not until May of 1971 that the site began operating tourist excursions and providing tours to the public. Then in the early 1980s, the prized historic site joined the esteemed California State Parks system.
To kick off a year of celebratory activations in compliance with all state, city, and county guidelines, weekend excursion train rides behind the historic steam locomotive Baldwin No. 28 will be available on Saturday, May 1, and Sunday, May 2, 2021. Known as a loyal, hard-working hauler of all types of freight and weighing a whopping 71 tons, the massive steam locomotive was re
Photo Courtesy of NMRA.
By Railroad Model Craftsman Staff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. The National Model Railroad Association has opened a new exhibit at the California State Railroad Museum dedicated to the history and contributions of the hobby. The display, dubbed “The Magic of Scale Model Railroading,” has been in the works for 16 years and was completed earlier this year.
The exhibit features examples of notable models, displays of exceptional modeling and artifacts from significant layouts like John Allen’s Gorre & Daphetid and Tony Koester’s Allegheny Midland.
The Magic of Scale Model Railroading exhibit. Photo Courtesy of NMRA.
“The purpose of the exhibit is to explain our hobby to the public, educate them on its history, teach them how to become a participant, and provide information about the NMRA,” writes Charlie Getz, one of the NMRA members who spearheaded its creation.