![]() ![]() The design of the sculpture is being finalized with a goal to start installation of the work in late summer. Mormon workers organized by Brigham Young found themselves working for both competing railroads as they raced through Utah. African American workers, including some recently freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, toiled to move the tracks ever further west. While Chinese and Irish workers made up the largest parts of the workforce, they were joined by many others. Approximately 10,000 Irish workers had to overcome hostile weather, lack of supplies and suffering from dysentery to lay hundreds of miles of track for the Union Pacific. To build the 1,776 miles of railroad, the Union and Central Pacific Railroad Companies enlisted the help of tens of thousands of workers from across the country and world.Īn estimated 10,000 to 20,000 Chinese immigrants were recruited by the Central Pacific Railroad to build the section from Sacramento, California, through the treacherous Sierra Mountains and then through the Nevada and Utah deserts to Promontory. The events of May 10 and the driving of the golden spike marked the end of construction, but they are only a small part of the story of the building of the transcontinental railroad. ![]() On May 10, 1869, a Golden Spike was ceremoniously driven into a polished laurel tie at Promontory Summit, Utah, linking two great oceans, uniting a Civil War-torn nation and propelling America to become a world leader. The purpose of the piece, titled “Monument to Their Memory,” will honor all the railroad workers from many different cultures and backgrounds whose backbreaking efforts were crucial in the construction of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad. Other helpful materials and tools that are needed include a wooden handle, chisel, spring swage, and a ball peen hammer.Īlternative tools and techniques are offered in the original video tutorials, so as long as you have the basics, you should be able to complete the following projects.Promontory Summit, UT – The National Park Service (NPS) and Golden Spike Foundation – Spike 150 are proud to announce that Ilan Averbuch has been selected to design a new commemorative work that will be donated to Golden Spike National Historical Park. For some of the projects listed below, vices and grinders are also helpful. Working with railroad spikes requires all the basic blacksmithing equipment: a forge, anvil, hammer, tongs, and punches. What Tools Do I Need for Railroad Spike Projects? Photo by U.S. If you are a beginner blacksmith wanting to create some functional pieces out of railroad spikes, or a seasoned smith who needs some project inspiration, check out the following project ideas and their corresponding YouTube videos. The shape of railroad spikes is also very accommodating for different types of small projects like the ones detailed below. Why work with railroad spikes?įor beginners wanting to refine their hammering technique and get more comfortable with the blacksmithing process in general, railroad spikes are a very forgiving, inexpensive material to practice with. Although nontraditional, railroad spikes are common items that are reworked by blacksmiths. Like other crafts, there are no true rules that dictate what materials blacksmiths use. 1.2.10 10) Railroad Spike Wizard Face Railroad spikes are very cheap to acquire and quite forgiving for beginners looking for smaller projects.
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