The Promontory Odyssey! - Finishing the First Transcontinental Railroad

To stage an event as monumental as uniting an entire country, there must be much planning and preparation to get everything in place. But things don't always go to plan. How much damage could outside events do that could change the outcome of completing America's first Transcontinental Railroad? How prepared are these railroads to keep the show on the rails?
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[@simontrainbrainz6038]

I love the engines they used in the late 1860s, they have such a beautiful look to them.

[@thepogfrog6993]

More like ugly look all American trains are

[@SouthernKansasRailfan]

@@thepogfrog6993 Take one look at American streamliners like The Hiawatha and The Chessie

[@modelmainline7278]

I also like 1860 steam locomotives

[@spingleboygle]

@@thepogfrog6993 yet there was a train that made passengers sick because of it’s “next generation” tilting technology train made by Britain

[@thepogfrog6993]

@railroad fan I mean the British steam engines like the e2 or peppercorn a1

[@e-train765]

Wow...I just learned something today. I'm 31 years old (32 in September) have been into the trains and railroads since I was 2, read/watched a lot of things on the Transcontinental Railroad....and yet I NEVER knew that Jupiter and 119 were NOT the original locomotives slated to meet at Promontory Point.

[@sirrliv]

Thank you for this fantastic commemoration to one of the greatest events in American history. And bonus props for depicting the often overlooked events leading up to this momentous day; one might jokingly think of it as one of the greatest "Clerks" moments in history, with both Jupiter and 119 thinking to themselves "I wasn't even supposed to be here today!"

[@Cwilliam1999]

What was it the engines said??? Pilots touching head to head. Facing on a single track. Half a world behind each back. (Both engine's): OMG I wasn't even supposed to be here.

[@Arturobrito0502]

Ur rigth, atleast the two saved their respective trains.

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

Lealand Stanford: *misses* Thomas C. Durran: *also misses* A random spikelayer: Im gonna do whats called a pro-layer move.

[@jayo1212]

Everyone knows it was Snoopy who drove the spike in!

[@OfficialTrainzGod]

yes

[@Mr.RailYard-LJLRailYard]

Nice to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad happy National Train Day Brian

[@psychlops924]

I live in Northern Utah, so I’ve been to Promontory many times! It’s worth the visit. I didn’t know that Jupiter and 119 weren’t supposed to be there though. Love the documentary, it’s great content!

[@deezynar]

My dad worked on the construction of the rock version of the Lucin Cutoff that was built in the 1950s. It is a rock causeway across the top of the Great Salt Lake. Prior to the rock causeway, the Lucin Cutoff crossed the lake on a wooden trestle that was located next to where the rock causeway is now. I believe the trestle was built in the early 1900s. The trestle was a big maintenance headache, so the company thought that a rock causeway would be easier on the wallet. The cutoff was built because it both reduced the mileage the trains had to travel, but it also kept them from going over a big bump. The first thing they did to build the rock causeway was to dig tunnels into a mountain on the peninsula that sticks down from the north end of the lake. When they got the tunnels finished, they filled them with explosives and blasted the mountain into rubble. That was one of the larger non-nuclear explosions in history. They crushed the big rocks into smaller ones and dumped them in the lake. The bottom of the lake is made of soft mud that goes way, way, down before there's anything solid. That mud is as soft as pudding, and it doesn't support any weight very well at all. The engineer who designed the causeway had them lay the rock on the mud very far to both sides of the rail line center. As they poured more rock on top of the earlier rock, they narrowed the area they poured in so it tapers as it gets higher. The idea was that having the bottom layers of rock dispersed so widely, it would spread the load over a larger area and sort of firm up the mud to the sides by pushing down on it a little. Even with the rock being spread so widely, the mud still doesn't fully hold the weight. The causeway is constantly sinking so workers have to routinely drop more rock on the top of the causeway to keep it above the water level. As much of a headache as that is, it's apparently cheaper than a trestle would be since the piers would have to go nearly to the center of the earth before they'd hit anything firm.

[@Kanefan701]

what a lovely historic video. This was something really special for America.

[@michaelpham8368]

Kanefan701 have u finally returned to KZbin??

[@Kanefan701]

@@michaelpham8368 I'm still here. But still taking a long needed abcent since I have more to do outside the internet nowadays and being with my family and trying to search for a job.

[@michaelpham8368]

Kanefan701 That makes sense. When did u say u we’re going to return?

[@Kanefan701]

@@michaelpham8368 I don't know when I'll come back. But you can be assured that I will.

[@michaelpham8368]

Kanefan701 Good to know

[@vincentberkan605]

Here's to 150 years of railroading guys!!!!!!!

[@tracycarifa5740]

HERE HERE!

[@tennesseethecountrybear682]

YES WHOOO HOOO

[@southjerseyboy2844]

Alright I’m gonna say it those are the best looking models of 4-4-0s in Trainz

[@sbinfo7979]

Where can I download these?

[@pm1225p]

@@sbinfo7979 trainz forge

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

10:42 the reversing of true American engines? Anthony would beg to differ

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

anthony aint orignal so he can eat his words

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

He IS technically STILL an American type..

[@justanotheryoutubechannel]

This is a great video and I love seeing stuff like this, the old era of American railroads are so interesting to me. It’s so fascinating how different the two trains involved in the ceremony look, Jupiter is a wood burner so it’s got a big spark arresting funnel, but the 119 burns coal as it’s from the treeless plains of America, so it has a traditional funnel like an English locomotive.

[@user-tp7up8lg1d]

It's a pity the locomotives that were there on that day 155 years ago weren't saved. But it's amazing they both lasted 35 years thereafter!

[@thatflyingscotsmanfan1297]

You just gotta love these locomotives.

[@tracycarifa5740]

I didn’t know the Antelope was built in Boston!

[@NSWSteamFan]

This is why I subscribed (besides the San Juan Trainz Videos).

[@rico1346]

Poetic video and especially ending 🥲

[@kevinmills8437]

Cool 151th Anniversary of the Golden Spike.

[@cSalt1]

every time i watch this, since this has been released, i have gotten chills. its just so good!

[@jayo1212]

Nice use of the newly released models!

[@STLSF]

HAPPY 150TH!!!!

[@laming2006]

Excellent! Enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@paulrosa6762]

Visited this site and truly enjoyed it!

[@ravenhawk6910]

A fine piece of work!

[@BMMEC6000]

I’m so sad that one of the locomotives that was going to stand at Promontory summit that was designed in Massachusetts (where I live) was damaged.

[@BlaxlandRidge3]

You got this all spot - on! Awesome work!

[@madjames9365]

This is truly amazing

[@ForeignInterestSteam]

Love it!

[@Kmaster2007]

Ellis was here...

[@GeneralLiuofBoston1911]

Wow, this is great!

[@cristianc654]

Honestly, this is the best documentary I've ever seen. Amazing work there.

[@walshrd]

Just how many documentaries on anything have YOU seen? 3 or 4?

[@cristianc654]

@@walshrd I've seen documentaries about your mother 🗿🗿🗿🗿

[@williamwatkins821]

If you’ve never seen Hell on Wheels, I would highly recommend it. It’s a great series that focuses on a former Union soldier that works on this railroad.

[@FutureRailProductions]

Confederate actually.

[@astromotive6047]

If in an Alternate Timeline the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific trains experienced no accidents en route or any set backs and delays, then there would be 2 very different replicas locomotives up at Promontory Summit, Utah today.

[@ohioandnortheastern]

In school my class was talking about the westward exption of America and shared this video

[@mechatrain150]

the music cue for the end credits is really catchy. but above all this is really good

[@Mnrr6131]

NATIONAL TRAIN DAY AND THE FIRST TIME BIG BOY 4014 MOVED UNDER ITS OWN POWER IN 60 YEARS Btw Antelope about to hit the log: OH SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII*hits log* *going to journeys end*: Eh, eh, eh, eh, ok you take over I can’t do this.

[@neilexploreology]

Antelope after it hits the log: UhUuhHuuUUhhh WhAt HaPeNeD?

[@PeterT1981]

What a wonderful use of cgi. Highest praise! Thank you!

[@kristinabegail]

Great end song

[@davidcassedy4435]

Smart engineer

[@A_person473]

11:32 J: at ho' the heck are u? 199: dont ave' name just 199 J: pitty, ow' abut' mars 199: pretty noice ngl, say what railway youses be from? J: C.P.R.R. You? 199: UP J: ah teh' big one innit? 199: sure is. J: say ow' abut youses and I go for a drink. 199: eh I don't see why not.

[@Soldier600]

The random spikelayer did not know they just made the iconic track

[@SPNGLovato18]

Can’t wait to see Double-headed Mallets In the Niles canyon railway

[@dmitrineisinger]

I enjoy that he said Nevada correctly as I am from Nevada

[@SierraRailway]

Ughhhh............ where do I even begin? First, there were only two pure Golden Spikes, the Comstock Silver Spike, and the Arizona Spike, an iron spike plated in silver and gold. None of the ceremonial spikes were attached to the telegraph line, only the final iron spike was driven this way, after the ceremonial spikes and Laurel tie were removed. Second, the trouble with Devil's Gate bridge happened before the incident with the tie cutters. Durant and party were to return East for two days while the bridge was repaired enough for the cars to be rolled across. In Piedmont, Wyoming, Durant's train was held up by graders and tie cutters who had gone weeks without pay. Chief Engineer Grenville Dodge wrote in his private journal sometime later that he believed the incident was staged so Durant could pocket more money before he was removed from the Board of Directors of the Union Pacific. Sure enough, one of the foremen of the strikers rode with Durant to the ceremony, something completely out of character for Durant, had he indeed been caught off guard and his dignity undermined. Third, neither Stanford nor any other CP official "chose" the locomotive to lead the special train to Promontory. This is an all too common myth that authors have taken as fact for decades. Several historical records and photographs indicate that the Stagger and the Leviathan also pulled the directors special throughout the trip. The reason for this is that locomotives are changed at division points, to keep them in a pool. For example, the Antelope might hand the train over to the Stagger at Wadsworth, then Leviathan takes over at Elko, and Jupiter takes the train from Wendover, etc. People like to think that the Jupiter and 119 were chosen by god himself to be there for Russell's famous photograph, but that's just not how it works.

[@HighIron]

YES! Thank you! Someone is paying attention after all!

[@LTTRR]

To explain my stake in the situation - Brian consulted pretty heavily with me throughout this, and I made the engine models. Overall, I think your points have some merits, but a few comments: First, this is just an etiquette thing, but your opening line reads as though there are so many errors you don't know where to begin. Then you only list three, which is a bit anticlimactic. This isn't Nothing Like it in the World, it doesn't grossly misrepresent the building of the roads as a whole in its first iteration, so spare us the drama, please. The three Golden spikes was a mistake in my research, Stillman's account mentions that "the munificence of private citizens of San Francisco had contributed two gold spikes" each of which I took to be separate from the Hewes family spike, for whatever reason. That's on me, although again, I don't see entirely why such a grand reaction be donated to as trivial an error as that. The Piedmont issue I am entirely unqualified to comment. Assuming you've done your research, I will believe that, and considering one of the bents had completely sunk from the flood, it tracks that that - more than a staged strike - would be what delayed the ceremony two days. I have most comment on the locomotives. The makeup and motive power on the Promontory train is generally pretty unclear. Certainly Jupiter arrived at Monument Point carrying a single water car, the provision car and the director's car - but we don't really have definite photos that we can identify as the director's train before then. There are no Hart stereoviews at all throughout Utah - which would be something of a wasted opportunity if Hart had boarded the Director's train at or before Argenta. Combine this with the fact that Stager is photographed on both sides of the division point at Carlin, which doesn't track with the notion that locos were changed at every division point, at least for the director's train. There were plenty of locos at Carlin to take the director's train; why would Stager not stop there? An alternate theory - stereoviews 343 through 349 are taken earlier in 1869, during a US Railway Commissioners' inspection of the line. The inspectors used the Stanford car and subsistence car - tacked onto normal passenger services. Hart catches the train at Argenta, and follows it at least through Elko and probably to the Utah border. On the return trip, he catches a passenger train led by Leviathan through Peko and Deeth - you can tell it's headed westbound because Mount Halleck is in the background, which means the camera is looking north. Shots 350-364 are then shot from the Promontory train - there's nothing to suggest Hart was on the train through California or even Nevada, since the first shot we see after the westbound passenger train at Deeth is at Victory. A final note about the division points - as I established earlier, since the division point was at Carlin, we see trains both in 1869 (the USRC inspection) and in 1876 (the Lightning Express) run straight through division points. So what's to say that Stanford's train changed locos beyond Wadsworth?

[@SierraRailway]

@@LTTRR My research into this topic stems from my work on a documentary on the construction of the Pacific Railroad. I have consulted and interviewed established experts on both railroads, including Wendell Huffman, Kevin Bunker, and Kyle Wyatt, the latter having spoken on camera regarding which locomotives may or may not have pulled Stanford's train. There is evidence showing the Stager and Leviathan pulled the special (Hart photo 343 and 349 show the Stager and Leviathan heading the train. This IS Stanford's special attached to the regular passenger train, as ordinarily the Subsistence Car and the Director's car were the only cars in their train) As to the specifics of where exactly the locomotives were changed, that is hard to say, and has likely been lost to history. My previous comment uses the aforementioned stations as an example. It's also hard to say one way or another why Hart did not expose any photographs in Utah before arriving at Monument Point. One would have to be there to know for sure. The problem with researching this subject is that nearly every published work on the First Transcontinental Railroad contains a degree of fiction. I myself went into these interviews with preconceived notions that were soundly proven false. My reaction comes from irritation, due to the long uphill battle required to kill these long perpetuated myths. This is a critical aspect of American history, and deserves more than to be interpreted as a children's fairytale. That said, though my previous comment does not express it, the visual representation is very impressive.

[@LTTRR]

​@@SierraRailway Those credentials are sound, thank you. I can understand where it's obnoxious to research something tirelessly only to find people carrying on the same old story. But trying to research through published accounts, it doesn't read well. I know these are all reasonable people, but trying to cross-reference what you were saying earlier, I frankly got sick of the sheer number of times I saw the word NOT in all caps in the middle of a sentence. I understand people want to emphasize it, but italics were invented for a reason, and I only wish they were usable in KZbin comments so I can demonstrate... As for the details - I was wrong about the directionality of the train at Deeth. Further examination tells me "Mount Halleck" is probably Ruby Dome/Lee Peak, which would place the train eastbound. The reconfiguration of the train seems a bit odd to me, but I'll have to look into that later today.

[@HighIron]

Yes thank you@@SierraRailway . If you want to help me with researching my next narrated video about Casey Jones, drop me a line.

[@dalehenderson672]

I agree

[@nigelgresley87546]

*im not crying you are*

[@FuelFire]

Something something When they drove that Golden Spike in 1869....

[@Tottleminerftw]

I'm surprised the arizona spike wasn't copper.

[@geomodelrailroader]

A marvel 150 years in the making. This ribbon of steel known as the Transcontinental Railroad is the main line of the UP it hauls the goods of commence from this great land and beyond. Although some sections would be bypassed it is still the 1600 miles track that is was when it was built in 1869. Ogden is still the heart of the network all rails come here. Located in Ogden is Union Station which houses large displays commemorating this line and 50 miles to the northwest is Promontory itself. The National Park Service has bought the land around Promontory and Train Mountain and these 160 square acers of land is Golden Spike National Park with every location documented along the right of way from 10 Miles of Track in a Day to the Driving of the Golden Spike. Recently the Spikes themselves made it back to Utah and returned to where they rested 150 years ago but now they are back in collectors hands and the 4th spike remains lost some day we will find it where ever it is and return it to Promontory.

[@TheTexasTrainMaster]

Howdy that was a very interesting program you really did your research into the very fine job putting it together where did you get the models for it and what train game are you using also I thought your voice was very intriguing

[@jayo1212]

Trainz Railroad Simulator 2019 was the game, and the models are at trainz-forge.com/

[@JonathanHopkinsMarkiplierFan]

where did you get the coaches for the U.P.R.R 119?

[@ramrjamr97]

Where'd you get that song at the end? It is an absolute bop

[@maxnash8450]

When will the next San Juan trainz be? You don’t need to hurry though

[@ethancowan2441]

Wait, did Jupiter take the freight cars to Promontory Summit even with the coaches? Or did Jupiter drop them off at another station between Promontory and Wadsworth? Let me know. And if he did (or didn't) drop them off, could you tell me the consist?

[@Mnrr6131]

Hi Brian. What music did you use? I’m very curious to know. Also because I like the music.

[@onionhat9141]

anybody know where to get a good route based in the 1850's or somewhere around that time or something like the transcontinental railroad?

[@waluiginumberone548]

i need a link to that version of "i've been working on the railroad"

[@penkagenova7073]

Is it a coincidence that the video is long 12:25

[@jackboerner1901]

Yes.

[@conical3769]

I have a question those coach cars looks nice but why is everything yellow and nice illustrating I really like the antelope the color looks nice and the shape of the lamp

[@AndrewTheRocketCityRailfan4014]

What’s the name of the 2nd to last soundtrack in the video?

[@trainzmania2022ricardo]

what's the name of the music at the end of the video?

[@Thomasboi01]

I've been working on the railroad.

[@christopherdibble5872]

The engineers don't wave from the trains anymore, not like they did back in 1954.

[@jamesbrewer586]

What're the songs/music-clips used in your video?

[@porneliushubertsthaicuisin1316]

I usually don't like late 1900's American engines, but I find myself very interested in the two representatives not to be from the east and west. I was able to find some information on Antelope, but none on the UP's would be rep. #66. Was she really the locomotive that got stuck on the eastern side of the river that day?

[@tennesseethecountrybear682]

does this work on trainz a new era?

[@miles_da-tractor_man]

They should rebuild the entire route

[@Cwilliam1999]

#Done

[@tobyradabaugh5033]

What music was used

[@michaelpham8368]

Simply Marvelous!! Also, like this if you knew they were using TRS19

[@Mnrr6131]

Michael Pham yes this was In trainz 2019. The graphics in trainz 2019 are higher and better in trainz a new era

[@RCRF401]

What train Sim is this

[@BestTboneSteak]

People are asking about what the songs called, I simply just need a link so I don't end up clicking on a child's singalong version, if I could get one please?

[@martythemartian99]

American railway history: presented by Paul Lynde ;D

[@annhinchcliff5460]

what was the song at the end

[@HighIron]

I've Been Working on the Railroad

[@potatohead5910]

What is the music in the end?

[@Thomasboi01]

I've been working on the railroad.

[@4775joshua]

Spat?

[@PersianYank]

You don't pay tie cutters, We chain your train.

[@Thatguybob5]

It's four taps

[@mihaelalaber2084]

What the song called at the end?

[@HighIron]

I've Been Working on the Railroad

[@ratchetraccoon3964]

Where can I find this route/ rolling stock?

[@HighIron]

It says at 12:08.

[@ratchetraccoon3964]

@@HighIron thank you so much

[@AndrewTheRocketCityRailfan4014]

The Trainz forge models for the Jupiter are inaccurate paint wise to the real thing. Kind of like a hybrid of the current paint schemes of the Jupiter Replica and the Leviathan Replica. But that’s just me. Maybe their livery might be more accurate

[@CarolinaSpecial-No.1397]

Surprisingly, it’s the real deals livery which is inaccurate. No evidence exists suggesting that Jupiter ever wore Royal Blue in its service life, but nonetheless looks stunning on her.

[@leatherbarkproductions3061]

What route is this?

[@HighIron]

Some of it were modules specifically designed for the video. Other scenes were on the Yosemite Valley Railroad, available from the DLS

[@leatherbarkproductions3061]

Brian McDonnell ok thanks man

[@LANouveau]

Can you go britash and make a video about the London north east railway please 🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃

[@JonathanHopkinsMarkiplierFan]

Where did you get the coaches for the private train of union Pacific vice president Thomas c Durant

[@HighIron]

Those were made by one of the Trainz Forge guys specifically for this video. He plans to release them once they're fully finished.

[@JonathanHopkinsMarkiplierFan]

@@HighIron when will they be done?

[@HighIron]

@@JonathanHopkinsMarkiplierFan When he feels like it.

[@JonathanHopkinsMarkiplierFan]

Brian McDonnell ok

[@brandonhughes1590]

Where can one find the rolling stock and track buildings etc? I found the engines.

[@thatd59ladlarry]

DLS laddy

[@kristinabegail]

What do you mean what was it the engines said!? 11:19 Engines can’t talk in real life

[@HighIron]

Those were the first verses of a poem by Francis Bret Harte

[@kristinabegail]

Thx

[@jimmymccartney2049]

1862-69

[@jimmymccartney2049]

Music:Hans Zimmer(2013)(The Lone Ranger)

[@jimmymccartney2049]

Directed by:Gore Verbinski

[@jimmymccartney2049]

1869-1933

[@jimmymccartney2049]

All special and visual effects, courtesy of Industrial Light & Magic and Moving Picture Company