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The final sculpting of all four sides of Golden Spike Monument was completed in August. Each side consists of a number of panels. These panels are then brought to the foundry for metal casting. Approximately three-quarters of the aluminum bas-relief castings are complete. The studio is now being converted to making space for the full-sized structure. Once the internal structure is inside the studio, we will begin affixing on the metal panels to the truss tower.
Thank you for your generosity and support of this project. We will continue to update this page as our work progresses.
While the panels and truss-tower are being sculpted, the spike-head has been hand-fabricated from sheet aluminum. When the spike-head is completed, it is affixed to the truss-tower structure.
The artist, Douwe Blumberg, conducting site research off Interstate 15 at Exit 365 outside Brigham City in Box Elder County.
The artist holding a transcontinental railroad spike from the original grade, loaned from the National Park Service. The spike was scanned and used it to inform the overall shape and dimensions of the sculpture.
Digital “sculpt” using computer software of the “East” side depicting the Union Pacific workforce.
A full-scale panel is “rough cut” from sculpting foam. An example of the Union Pacific workforce side in sculpting foam.
Each “rough cut” foam panel is covered with sculpting clay. The foam becomes the underlying form upon which the artist lays on the clay and then sculpts each detail/figure by hand.
A detail from the panel on the Union Pacific side.
The second panel is focused on the innovation and technology that made the transcontinental railroad possible.
A detail from the third side of the sculpture. The third panel focuses on the innovation and impact of the transcontinental railroad.
Another panel is brought from Douwe Blumberg’s studio in Kentucky to the foundry.
A photograph of two panels in the mold creation process at the foundry.
