OK, it’s a stretch that usually Susan would only dare to do. The degee of difficulty is off the charts, but here we go. While Monet was out standing in his field, these guys were Too Loose La Track…..
In May 1869, the railheads of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads finally met at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory. The ceremony to drive in the Last Spike was originally to be held on May 8, but was postponed two days because of bad weather and a labor dispute on the Union Pacific side.
On May 10, in anticipation of the ceremony, Union Pacific’s No. 119 and Central Pacific’s No. 60 (better known as the Jupiter) locomotives were drawn up face-to-face on Promontory Summit, separated only by the width of a single tie. It is unknown how many people attended the event; estimates run from as low as 500 to as many as 3,000 government and railroad officials and track workers who were present to witness the event. The Reverend John Todd was on hand to officiate at the ceremony. Three spikes were driven, one (and probably the most famous) was the gold spike, one was silver, and one was a mix of gold, silver, and iron.23 The gold spike used in the 1939 Cecil B. DeMille movie, “Union Pacific” depicting the event, was the same one used in 1869, on loan to DeMille by its curator, Stanford University.4
There’s a rock formation along the original right of way that was called “Chinaman’s Arch.” They renamed it “Chinese Arch.”“Chinaman” is offensive, but “Englishman” is not. Go figure.
China meets Russia/Mongolia. The Chinese actually built their tracks a different gauge than the USSR to make it hard for invasion by train. But it meant every passenger or cargo train had to have the cars moved by crane.
Varnes about 12 years ago
OK, it’s a stretch that usually Susan would only dare to do. The degee of difficulty is off the charts, but here we go. While Monet was out standing in his field, these guys were Too Loose La Track…..
chireef about 12 years ago
narrow gauge and wide gauge
Superfrog about 12 years ago
Don’t worry. They’re only guide lines.
el8 about 12 years ago
federally subsidized even then
Comicsexpert about 12 years ago
No offense to,Dan but the older Brevities are just on a different level.
SusanSunshine Premium Member about 12 years ago
Varnes!!
How did you know??!!
I really WAS about to make a “Too Loose Le Track” joke…and you beat me to it!
Bargrove about 12 years ago
The story of how this was really avoided is quite amazing.
stripseeker about 12 years ago
@Varnes
Pun over the top (of the rails).
stripseeker about 12 years ago
@simpsonfan2
More precious fossil fuels wasted. The same old story.
stripseeker about 12 years ago
@briatollah
Another falsehood foisted on the unwashed masses.
jreckard about 12 years ago
Couldn’t they just tie one on?
J Short about 12 years ago
The same guy went on to design the Hubble telescope.
J Short about 12 years ago
Oh man, I thought we were using metric.
Nighthawks Premium Member about 12 years ago
that’s how you gauge your success
LadyLavendar about 12 years ago
And never the two shall meet “Too Loose Le Track” – Great guys
LadyLavendar about 12 years ago
In May 1869, the railheads of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads finally met at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory. The ceremony to drive in the Last Spike was originally to be held on May 8, but was postponed two days because of bad weather and a labor dispute on the Union Pacific side.
On May 10, in anticipation of the ceremony, Union Pacific’s No. 119 and Central Pacific’s No. 60 (better known as the Jupiter) locomotives were drawn up face-to-face on Promontory Summit, separated only by the width of a single tie. It is unknown how many people attended the event; estimates run from as low as 500 to as many as 3,000 government and railroad officials and track workers who were present to witness the event. The Reverend John Todd was on hand to officiate at the ceremony. Three spikes were driven, one (and probably the most famous) was the gold spike, one was silver, and one was a mix of gold, silver, and iron.23 The gold spike used in the 1939 Cecil B. DeMille movie, “Union Pacific” depicting the event, was the same one used in 1869, on loan to DeMille by its curator, Stanford University.4
smweicht about 12 years ago
Obviously the government was involved.
BRI-NO-MITE!! Premium Member about 12 years ago
There’s a rock formation along the original right of way that was called “Chinaman’s Arch.” They renamed it “Chinese Arch.”“Chinaman” is offensive, but “Englishman” is not. Go figure.
iced tea about 12 years ago
Off track!
bdwords about 12 years ago
China meets Russia/Mongolia. The Chinese actually built their tracks a different gauge than the USSR to make it hard for invasion by train. But it meant every passenger or cargo train had to have the cars moved by crane.