May 10, 2005--Promontory +136

[nanaimo73]

On May 10, 1869 the Last Spike was driven home linking the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific. This linked California, Oregon and Nevada with the 34 States to the east. After Leland Stanford and Thomas Durant missed, it was driven home by Sam Reed and James Strobridge.(President U.S.Grant was not there Will Smith!) Southern Pacific built across Great Salt Lake in 1904 bypassing the site and the rails were removed in 1942 in a WW 2 scrap drive.It should be a big day in your country. Does the public care? Do railfans care?

[dldance]

there is generally a re-enactment at the side on the weekend nearest to the 10th. I don't know the exact plans for this year - but I plan to be there next year.

dd

[ChuckCobleigh]

From http://www.nps.gov/gosp/events/mayten_sched.html

Sounds like a busy day in commemoration!

The following is a tentative schedule of events:

8:00 a.m. Visitor Center opens (exhibits, sale of interpretive items)
9:30 a.m. Arrival of locomotives Jupiter and No. 119
10:00 a.m. Re-creation of historic "East Meets West" Champagne Photograph
10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Musical Entertainment (Bear River High School Band)
11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Traditional Commemorative Program
12:20 p.m. Reenactment of the Driving of the Golden Spike
12:45 p.m. Demonstration run of the Jupiter and No. 119
1:00 p.m. Musical Entertainment - Better Half
1:30 p.m. Interpretive Program in the Visitor Center Main Auditorium
Gary McDonough, speaker
2:00 p.m. Second Reenactment of the Driving of the Golden Spike
2:30 p.m. Demonstration run of the Jupiter and No. 119
5:00 p.m. Retreat of Colors, Departure of Jupiter and No. 119
5:30 p.m. Visitor Center closes (Last Spike Site, Auto Tour, and Big Fill Walk
remain open)

[miniwyo]

If it wan't in the middle of finals week, and if I had the money I would go. Never been there before, hoping to go this summer!

[dldance]

FYI - even thought the rails were pulled in this area during WW2 - the national park services maintains a couple of miles of track - built to 1869 standards (harp switches, etc.) for the two replica locomotives.

dd