The Journey of Rails: How the Transcontinental Railroad Secured Their Tracks

The construction of the transcontinental railroad was a monumental achievement that connected the eastern and western United States. However, the western half of the railroad faced significant logistical challenges as there were no steel mills in the western states at the time. This article explores how the western half obtained their rails and the challenges they overcame in the process.

Obtaining Rails for the Transcontinental Railroad

During the construction of the transcontinental railroad, the western half obtained their rails from the eastern United States. Given that there were no steel mills in the western states, the rails had to be transported from the eastern states to the construction sites in the west. This was a complex and expensive task, as the rails had to be shipped by sea or transported overland over long distances.

Shipping Rails Around Cape Horn

The rails were shipped around the southern tip of South America via Cape Horn. This route was challenging due to the extensive navigational difficulties and the treacherous nature of the sea. The rails were then moved to California ports, where they were loaded onto trains and transported to the railhead. Additionally, the locomotives and rolling stock were also shipped in the same manner.

The Challenges of Laying Track in the West

While the eastern prairies provided relatively flat terrain for track laying, the western landscape presented a different set of challenges. The mountains of California, particularly the Sierra Nevada range, required significant engineering efforts to construct the required tracks. The weight and dimensions of the rails at the time (around 60 pounds per yard) were considerably smaller than today's standard rails (130 pounds or more). This means that the track laid in the 1860s was more suitable for lighter locomotives and rolling stock.

Central Pacific's Rail Sources

The Central Pacific Railroad (CPRR) ordered rail from iron mills in Pennsylvania and New York. The rails were typically embossed with the manufacturer and the year in which they were rolled. These rails were shipped around Cape Horn on ships to San Francisco, California, and then transported to Sacramento by a smaller sloop. From there, the rails were taken to the railhead on flatcars. There are photographs from the 1860s that depict the vast amounts of rail stored on the Sacramento wharf.

A Commitment to American Rails During the Civil War

One of the conditions of the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862 was to use only American-rolled rail. This commitment was particularly significant in the midst of the Civil War, when the Union Army was desperate for iron for cannons and arms. Unfortunately, more than one ship carrying rail was reportedly lost to Confederate warships.

Modern Comparisons and Historical Reconstructions

Today's mainline rail is much heavier, at around 130 pounds per yard, compared to the 60 pounds per yard used in the 1860s. This change in rail weight is due to the significantly larger and heavier locomotives and rolling stock in use today. In fact, 110 pounds per yard is still acceptable for sidings, as the stresses are lower and the speeds are slower. This historical context is preserved in the archives of the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, which hold bills of lading and invoices for the original rail purchased by the CPRR.

Historical Salvage Efforts

Personal interest in preserving this historical rail led to an effort to salvage original CPRR rail from the Big Gun Quarry in Rocklin. After the quarry was redeveloped, several enthusiasts spent two days removing and salvaging sections of rail with the maker's mark. These efforts were particularly meaningful, as they allowed for the identification of rail from different rolling mills based on 1860s invoices.

Conclusion

The construction of the transcontinental railroad was a complex and challenging endeavor. The western half of the railroad faced significant logistical hurdles in securing their tracks, primarily through the transportation of rails from the eastern United States. The historical contexts, challenges, and personal efforts to preserve this legacy provide a fascinating insight into the engineering feats of the past.

References

UC Riverside Digital Newspaper Archive. (201X). Sacramento Daily Union, March 22, 1867. [Screenshot of ship arrivals carrying rail for the Central Pacific RR]