150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad Completion
The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad May 10, 1869, is recognized as one of our country’s biggest achievements and one of mankind’s biggest accomplishments. It’s been compared to the Apollo 11 moon landing in terms of the vision, dedication, innovation and collaboration needed to connect the country with a ribbon of rail.
In May 2019, the whole world observed the 150th anniversary of the driving of the Golden Spike, which marked the transcontinental railroad’s completion, and Union Pacific led the celebrations.
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The Great Race to Ogden
Union Pacific’s historic steam locomotives – Big Boy No. 4014 and the Living Legend No. 844 – are touring the Union Pacific system throughout 2019 to commemorate the transcontinental railroad's 150th anniversary.
The Big Boy’s return to the rails is the product of more than two years of meticulous restoration work by the Union Pacific Steam Team. No. 4014 is the world's only operating Big Boy locomotive.
No. 844 and No. 4014 departed Cheyenne on May 4 after a Christening Ceremony at the Cheyenne Depot Museum.
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Front row from left are Jimmy Thompson, Kirt Clark, Garland Baker. Middle row from left are Ed Dickens, Austin Barker, Ted Schulte. Top row from left are Bruce Kirk, Troy Plagge, Don Crerar.
UP Rocky Mountain Superintendent Kurt Zalar, left, and Ed Dickens aboard the Big Boy.
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Fans watch from an overpass in Laramie, Wyoming.
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The crowds were enormous throughout the days leading up to the May 9 event.
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Union Pacific Chairman Lance Fritz and his wife, Julie, christen the Big Boy in Cheyenne, Wyoming, May 4.
May 9 Ceremony in Ogden
The May 9 ceremony at Ogden Union Station featured Union Pacific's iconic steam locomotives, Living Legend No. 844 and Big Boy No. 4014. The two met, recreating the historic image taken at Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869. The Big Boy is one of eight 4000-class steam locomotives still in existence.
Following the steam meet, Union Pacific Chairman, President and CEO Lance Fritz and Utah Gov. Gary Herbert were joined by Margaret Yee and Sandy Dodge to tap a ceremonial spike. Yee's ancestors were among thousands of Chinese immigrants who forged the transcontinental railroad for Central Pacific. Dodge is a descendant of Gen. Grenville Dodge, Civil War veteran and Union Pacific's chief engineer during construction.
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No. 844 is staged prior to the May 9 event in Ogden.
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The Big Boy No. 4014 enters the staging area in Ogden May 9.
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Ed Dickens behind the controls of No. 4014.
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The crowds watch as No. 4014 and No. 844 meet.
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Tapping a ceremonial Golden Spike from left are Sandy Dodge, descendent of Gen. Grenville Dodge; Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, Union Pacific Chairman, President and CEO Lance Fritz, Utah Congressman Rob Bishop, Margarat Yee, a descendent of a Central Pacific employee, and Scott Moore, Union Pacific senior vice president-Corporate Relations and chief administrative officer.
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Ed Dickens with oil can and the crew of No. 4014 greet "President" Abraham Lincoln.
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The crew of No. 844.
