Hell on Wheels and the Golden Spike

[Frulk_imp]

I rarely watch TV, let alone a seasonal show. One of the shows I did make an exception for was "Hell on Wheels" (a chronological depiction of the building of the Trans Continental Railroad). I'm a sucker for a good western, especially one were historic lever actions figure prominently. An added attraction for me is the original spur of the TCRR runs less than a mile from my house and the Golden Spike historical site at Promontory Point is approx. 60 miles or so away from my front door. I've been following the protagonist Cullen Bohannon for over half a decade now on this journey and it all comes to an end tonight. I'll be sitting in my recliner with a good bourbon when the show kicks off.

Plan for tomorrow is to ride the CB 1100 with my daughter and her boyfriend on their bikes out to Promontory Point and visit the site where the final spike was driven. Will add a sense of finality to a show I really became attached to. Gonna be a scorcher out there with no clouds in sight in what is basically elevated desert and some salt flats. Will post up a pic when I get back.

 

[the Ferret]

See..that's how you tie things together lol?

Very cool. Looking forward to the pic. Don't suppose the golden spike is still there?

 

[Ulvetanna_imp]

overall i did like that series

i hope some of our millenials actually realize that the railroad was also built by mormons and the irish and how impossibly difficult that work was but we got her done

panama canal too

 

[Cormanus]

Was the Panama Canal built by Mormons and Irishmen? Many, many of them died as I recall.

 

[LongRanger_imp]

Lots of Chinese labor involved with building the western section over the Sierra Nevada. The TCRR is a fascinating piece of our history and one that allowed western expansion to charge forward. I didn't realize until later that my Jr. High School in the Bay Area was named in honor of one of the financiers and builders (William Crocker). The original Union Pacific train depot in Cheyenne, WY, about 100 miles from here, does a great job commemorating the TCRR. Lots of history and artifacts there.

 

[4 Paws_imp]

Many fascinating stories woven throughout the history of our country. Helps us to understand we really are a melting pot of cultures and races. Mongrels rule!

So much good riding out west! Sounds like you have a decent plan for a family outing.

 

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Was the Panama Canal built by Mormons and Irishmen? Many, many of them died as I recall.

panama canal was first attempted by the french who were unsuccessful

the control of malaria and other vector borne diseases came about as a direct result of the project

workers came from all over the world but most were local

many died building and achieving over the course of history

great pyramids
great wall of china
brooklyn bridge
golden gate bridge

and so on
first moon landing

 

[the Ferret]

we need a motorcycle picture to keep this relevant.

 

[LongRanger_imp]

You didn't say which motorcycle...

 

[the Ferret]

lol good enough

 

[Ulvetanna_imp]

You didn't say which motorcycle...

kind of resembles a locomotive

 

[LongRanger_imp]

Locomotive? The Guzzi? Hardly. It's only rated at 39bhp at the rear wheel. Still, it was one of the most wonderful and endearing motorcycles I've ever owned.

 

[Frulk_imp]

Ferret...here's a brief video and some pics to get it back on track. We left at 9 AM today and headed out to the site under a blazing sun. Little over an hour and we were there. Normally they don't do the reenactment on Sundays but as luck would have it, this is Pioneer Day Weekend and just as we were pulling into the Visitor Center Ole 119 was making her way down the tracks to meet up with the Jupiter.

Private Group Photo & Video Sharing

We pulled in just as the reenactment started and sat through the whole show, which included actors in period dress that also used members of the audience as stand ins for notable individuals.

On the way out we stopped by the entrance sign and took a couple of pics. Good ride with minimal traffic and it was just getting hot as we neared the house.

 

[the Ferret]

Cool beans Frulk

OK legitimate question. If those two trains ended up head on, did one of them have to back up a long ways to get off the track? Did it only run one way or where there turn arounds?

 

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Locomotive? The Guzzi? Hardly. It's only rated at 39bhp at the rear wheel. Still, it was one of the most wonderful and endearing motorcycles I've ever owned.

looks can be deceiving

was?

that means you do not have it any longer?

about the same rwhp as my Hawk GT 647

sold that over 20 years ago

 

[LongRanger_imp]

Frulk that's awesome! I wish I could have been there. Really cool!

I sold the V7C to buy the CB1100. I couldn't commit to a long relationship with the bike due to the sketchy Guzzi dealership situation.

 

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Cool beans Frulk

OK legitimate question. If those two trains ended up head on, did one of them have to back up a long ways to get off the track? Did it only run one way or where there turn arounds?

That would depend upon what color of overalls the engineer was wearing.

 

[Frulk_imp]

Cool beans Frulk

OK legitimate question. If those two trains ended up head on, did one of them have to back up a long ways to get off the track? Did it only run one way or where there turn arounds?

They have a side spur there. But, both trains stay in the same building and the Jupiter backs out first, then the 119 comes out. The original track was deactivated there long ago when the Lucin Cut-off was built. Trains no longer run on in that area. The cut-off was built 28+ miles to the south and goes straight through the middle of the Great Salt Lake (Check it out on Google Earth). It in itself is a great achievement in modern construction and basically was built on top of a dump filled causeway.

This pic was taken looking due east at the causeway the Lucin-Cut off was built on. Turn left 90 degrees and the Golden Spike site is about 28+ miles to the north of where this pic was taken.

 

[Cormanus]

Great pics Frulk. What an amazing part of your country.

 

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Cool beans Frulk

OK legitimate question. If those two trains ended up head on, did one of them have to back up a long ways to get off the track? Did it only run one way or where there turn arounds?

They have a side spur there. But, both trains stay in the same building and the Jupiter backs out first, then the 119 comes out. The original track was deactivated there long ago when the Lucin Cut-off was built. Trains no longer run on in that area. The cut-off was built 28+ miles to the south and goes straight through the middle of the Great Salt Lake (Check it out on Google Earth). It in itself is a great achievement in modern construction and basically was built on top of a dump filled causeway.

This pic was taken looking due east at the causeway the Lucin-Cut off was built on. Turn left 90 degrees and the Golden Spike site is about 28+ miles to the north of where this pic was taken.

That is stunning, to say the least. It's sufficient cause in itself to warrant a trip to the area.