On May 10, 1869, in Promontory Summit, Utah, the “golden spike” was driven into the final tie that joined 1,776 miles of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railways, ceremonially creating the nation’s first transcontinental railroad. Suddenly, the country was united in a way it never had been.
The train became the go-to mode of transport for people and goods, and much more. It was a proud achievement of engineering vision, technical ingenuity and sweat. It was a cultural force that sparked countless creative imaginations. Railways provided jobs for thousands of Americans. The train station became a focal point of every community, from New York City’s Pennsylvania Station to the tiny stations that dotted rural America.
Now, 139 years after the golden spike connected east and west, there’s never been a better time to take the train. Huge crowds and frustrations burden our highways and airports. And with pressing concerns about energy conservation, trains are a more energy-efficient mode of travel than either autos or airplanes. Riding the rails is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Not to mention meet interesting people and see breathtaking scenery.
So mark May 10th on your calendar for a coast-to-coast celebration of the way trains connect people and places. In New York’s Penn Station and Union stations in Washington DC, Chicago and Los Angeles, there will be simultaneous National Train Day festivities that are a treat for all ages.