OMAHA, Neb., May 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Union Pacific
(UP) today launched a two-year celebration commemorating the Great
Race to complete the transcontinental railroad nearly 150 years
ago. Its crews built railroad tracks west of Omaha, Nebraska, while Central Pacific (CP)
constructed east of Sacramento,
California. A symbolic golden spike was driven at a ceremony
when the railroads met in Promontory Summit, Utah, May 10,
1869.
See b-roll of transcontinental railroad completion and
golden spike.
"The driving of the final rail spike defined Union Pacific as
the economic engine that connected people, moved goods and
transformed America's progress," said Scott
Moore, Union Pacific senior vice president - Corporate
Relations. "We look forward to honoring the communities and
railroad development that played critical roles in our country's
growth and way of life."
Union Pacific representatives presented Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg with a commemorative golden
spike in nearly the exact location where 1860s California Governor Leland Stanford broke ground for CP in
Sacramento. The presentation was
webcasted on Facebook Live, launching Union Pacific's two-year
celebration of the Great Race to Promontory.
The company introduced up.com/goldenspike, an interactive
website illustrating the journey through 46 communities profoundly
impacted by the railroad. The site features rare photographs and
animated maps illustrating how America was built. Union Pacific
also launched the following series of activities and celebrations
that bring each community's history to life.
- Community Traveling Exhibit – A traveling history
display documenting each community's connection to the
transcontinental railroad's construction with photographs and
descriptions. Education materials will be available to schools and
other organizations hosting the exhibit.
- Commemorative Golden Spike –
An encased golden spike for community partners along the
transcontinental route. A plaque inside the box reads, "Towns
developed, and the bond between UP and the early settlements grew.
As we celebrate the 150th Golden
Spike anniversary, UP is proud of these long-standing
community relationships."
- Race to Promontory: The Transcontinental Railroad and the
American West – A landmark art exhibition in partnership with
the Joslyn Art Museum highlighting Union Pacific's collection of
original photographs documenting the transcontinental railroad's
construction. Union Pacific has the world's largest collection of
these photographs, some of which have rarely been seen by the
general public. Exhibitions are planned for California, Utah and Omaha,
Nebraska.
- Steam Train Visits – A Union Pacific steam locomotive
and heritage train will travel over the transcontinental railroad
for community celebrations prior to the actual 150th anniversary
May 10, 2019.
Union Pacific will host activities and events in the following
communities as part of its two-year celebration.
Central City,
NE
|
Schuyler,
NE
|
Battle Mountain,
NV
|
|
Chappell,
NE
|
Sidney, NE
|
Elko, NV
|
|
Columbus,
NE
|
Wood River,
NE
|
Fernley,
NV
|
|
Cozad, NE
|
Julesburg,
CO
|
Lovelock,
NV
|
|
Fremont,
NE
|
Cheyenne,
WY
|
Reno, NV
|
|
Gibbon, NE
|
Evanston,
WY
|
Sparks, NV
|
|
Gothenburg, NE
|
Green River,
WY
|
Winnemucca,
NV
|
|
Grand Island,
NE
|
Hanna,
WY
|
Auburn, CA
|
|
Hershey,
NE
|
Laramie,
WY
|
Colfax, CA
|
|
Kearney,
NE
|
Rawlins,
WY
|
Newcastle,
CA
|
|
Kimball,
NE
|
Rock Springs,
WY
|
Rocklin,
CA
|
|
Lexington,
NE
|
Corinne,
UT
|
Roseville,
CA
|
|
Paxton, NE
|
Ogden,
UT
|
Sacramento,
CA
|
|
North Platte,
NE
|
Promontory,
UT
|
Truckee,
CA
|
|
Ogallala,
NE
|
Salt Lake City,
UT
|
|
|
Omaha, NE
|
Uintah,
UT
|
|
|
More information about Union Pacific's celebration and event
schedule is available at up.com/goldenspike.com.
ABOUT UNION PACIFIC
Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of
Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most
recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in
the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical
link in the global supply chain. In the past 10 years, Union
Pacific invested approximately $34
billion in its network and operations to support America's
transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business
mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal,
Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of
the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all
major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects
with Canada's rail systems and is
the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value
to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe,
reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible
manner.
www.up.com
www.facebook.com/unionpacific
www.twitter.com/unionpacific
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visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/union-pacific-celebrates-the-great-race-to-promontory-300455706.html
SOURCE Union Pacific