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In the wilds of Wyoming Territory in 1869 the Union Pacific track crews were laying three to four miles of track in a single day with regularity. These efforts finally culminated with an astounding eight miles of track in a single working day. Thomas Durant, Vice President of the UP was so encouraged by this accomplishment that he openly bragged to the Central Pacific officials.
Not to be outdone, Charles Crocker of the Central Pacific made a $10,000 wager with Durant that his crews could lay ten miles of |
track in a single day.Preparations were made and James Strobridge, Construction Engineer for the Central Pacific, described the scene: "I had five trains with 5,000 men at my command. Our organization was as well-drilled as any military company." The Chinese and white workers of the CP set to work on the morning of April 28, 1869. At days end they had laid ten miles and fifty-six feet of track.
Proud of their accomplishment, the Central Pacific erected this sign for transcontinental passengers to see. |
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