Driving | Spike 150
Driving The Spike Driving The Spike

On May 11, 2024, the Golden Spike Foundation completed our Driving of the Spike tours.  In 2024 the Golden Spike Foundation recognized the contributions of the railroad workers of the Central Pacific Railroad and followed the route to Sacramento, California, and back. In October 2023, the Golden Spike Monument visited eight metropolitan areas between Lexington, Kentucky, and Utah; including many stops are near the original Union Pacific transcontinental railroad route.

The highlight of each lively Whistle Stops was the opportunity to view the Golden Spike Monument up close on a flatbed trailer. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the monument from this perspective before it is installed at Golden Spike State Monument in Brigham City in 2025.

Like our social media pages to learn about park updates and opening activities.

The Tours

Wednesday, April 24, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah

President’s Circle Location

Wednesday, April 24, 2024
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Wells, Nevada

Wells City Park

Directions to City Park

Saturday, April 27, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sacramento, California

California State Railroad Museum

Website & Directions

Tuesday, April 30, 2024
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Logan, Utah

Utah State University

 

Tuesday, April 30, 2024
6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Tremonton, Utah

Main Street

Honk & Wave Event

Friday, May 3, 2024
12:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Ogden, Utah

May 2, 6 & 7 2024

Box Elder County, Utah

Box Elder School District

School visits 

Friday, May 10, 2024
12:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Millcreek, Utah

Millcreek Common

Website & Directions

Saturday, May 11, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Promontory, Utah

Golden Spike National Historical Park

Website & Directions

Thursday, October 5, 2023
11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Lexington, Kentucky

Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate

Website

Saturday, October 7, 2023
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis Union Station

Website

Sunday, October 8, 2023
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Kansas City, Missouri

Union Station Kansas City

Website

Saturday, October 14, 2023
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Union Pacific Museum

Website

Sunday, October 15, 2023
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

North Platte, Nebraska

Golden Spike Tower

Website

Tuesday, October 17, 2023
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Golden, Colorado

Colorado Railroad Museum

Website

Saturday, October 21, 2023
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cheyenne, Wyoming

Cheyenne Depot Museum

Website

Monday, October 23, 2023
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Rock Springs, Wyoming

Rock Springs Community Arts Center

Website

Monday, October 23, 2023
4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Countdown begins approximately 4:40 p.m.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Utah State Capitol Welcome Celebration

Utah State Capitol Directions and Parking

Tuesday, October 24, 2023
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Utah State Capitol Whistle Stop

Utah State Capitol Directions and Parking

The Last Stop

COMING SOON

Brigham City, Utah

Golden Spike State Monument at Reeder Ranch

Learn more about the location.

Exhibit Information from Driving of the Spike

What’s in a Name?

Steam locomotives Jupiter and #119 will live forever in our country’s history for the part they played in the “Wedding of the Rails.”

After months of long days and dangerous, back-breaking labor, Union Pacific and Central Pacific workers met in Promontory, Utah, joining their respective rail lines to form a single track connecting the eastern portion of the United States to the west–this historic feat called for a big celebration.

The celebration brought dignitaries from across the country. Union Pacific Vice-President Thomas Durant’s arrived via a private coach pulled by the mighty #119 steam locomotive. Leland Stanford, president of Central Pacific, came from California in his private rail car hitched to the Jupiter steam locomotive.

On May 10, 1869, Jupiter and #119 came nose to nose in Promontory, Utah, marking the completion of the transcontinental railroad. This historic moment, captured for all the world to see, solidified these two steam locomotives’ place in history.

Follow the Tour

Like our social media pages to learn news about the tour, follow along, and tag #drivingofthespike as you see the Golden Spike Monument on the road!

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