Rails East to Promontory The Utah Stations

The original Bureau of Land Management publication on the route of this historic railroad between Lucin and Promontory Point in Utah, Rails East to Promontory, the Utah Stations, first appeared in 1981 as Number 8 in the Utah Cultural Resource Series. High public demand for the volume resulted in its becoming out-of-print.

The year 1994 marked the 125th anniversary of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Celebration of the placement of the famous Golden Spike was widely publicized and attended by thousands. The year 1994 also marked the advent of the theme "Trails West," in the Bureau of Land Management's Adventures in the Past program. This theme explored historic transportation routes and the relationship of these routes to westward expansion.

The work by the authors, Raymond and Fike, has stood the test of time. Please note that the volume has been reprinted as it appeared in 1981 with some modifications. A few minor notes offered as errata for this reprint, follow:

• The map on page 26 has two errors. The site of Metataurus was spelled incorrectly, and the locations of Metataurus and Centre were apparently transposed.

• The site of Ombey, as noted on page 27 (second paragraph) is not synonymous with Gravel Pit. Ombey and Gravel Pit are separate locations, as correctly described on page 62 of the text.

• The site of Lucin, described on page 34, has changed. Today, only a few trees and a pond remain; the houses were removed in 1990.

• The siding described on page 57 (bottom of first paragraph) takes its name from Red Dome Mountain, two miles to the north.

• The location of Seco on page 79 should be changed to read: T. 12 N., R 10 W., Sec. 26, NE 1/4, SLM.

• The location of Ten-Mile on page 82 should be changed to read: T. 12 N., R. 9 W., Sec. 33, SW 1/4, SLM.

• The location of West Lake on page 90 should be changed to read: T. 11 N., R. 8 W., Sec. 11, SW 1/4, SLM.

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Web Edition Note: The above Errata have already been applied to the Web Edition of this document. The Errata are noted solely for those who may possess paper copies of the original document.

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Also, this edition of Rails East to Promontory, the Utah Stations commemorates the dedication of 90 miles of the first transcontinental railroad as a Bureau of Land Management Back Country Byway. We encourage visitors to enjoy the railroad grade, a remnant of an important era in American history. Come prepared for a rugged ride through a remote area.

The old Central Pacific Railroad grade, its section camps, and the remains of its railroad communities have suffered badly from illegal digging and surface artifact collecting since the rails were abandoned. These cultural remains are for everyone to enjoy, yet they are disappearing bit by bit. Please leave them for future generations.

Vandalism, illegal digging, and surface artifact collecting should be reported to the BLM Salt Lake District in Salt Lake City, to the Box Elder County Sheriff's Department in Brigham City, Utah or call the BLM vandalism hot line, 1-800-722-3998.

With an appeal for your help in preserving the remains of the nation's first transcontinental railroad, I am pleased to reprint this very popular volume in BLM-Utah's series of cultural resource monographs.

LEON E. BERGGREN
Bear River Resource Area Manager
Salt Lake District
Bureau of Land Management

Phone numbers:
BLM Salt Lake District, (801) 977-4300
Box Elder County Sheriff, (801) 734-9441
Vandalism Hot Line, 1-800-722-3998