August 17, 2026 - Salt Lake City, Utah
Golden Spike National Historic Park - Aerial Photos

Back in May 2021, on one of my long cross-countries, I overflew the Golden Spike site and took these aerial pictures.  At the time I didn't understand what I was seeing, but now having visited the site on the ground, I know.

I flew in from the west.

This picture gives a good look at the west grade driving tour.

The top (gravel) road is where the original transcontinental railroad ran.  It was the Central Pacific's grade.  Now the driving tour runs on top.

Just below it -- the dirt path -- is the Union Pacific's grade, which was never used.

The road at the bottom is a modern road.
   
Looking east.  The gravel roaqd at left is where the original railroad ran.  The Union Pacific's unused grade is clearly visible running parallel to the right.
   
Continuing east.
   
Continuing east.
   
All three beds -- the original track, the UP grade, and the modern road come very close together as they approach the Golden Spike site.
   
And there is the Golden Spike Site and Visitor Center dead ahead.
   
Passing by the Visitor Center.  Only the Central Pacific's Jupiter is on the track.
   
The engine shed.  The Union Pacific's No. 119 sits outside.
   
The track continues to the east.
   
At this point it becomes hard to distinguish what is what.
   
The original railway is on top and the unused Union Pacific's grade runs in parallel at bottom.
   
A good look at both the Central Pacific (top) and Union Pacific (bottom) grades.
   

The gravel road follows the original railway bed.

Unfornately I did not get an aerial shot of "The Big Fill" or "The Big Trestle".  At the time they were Unknown Unknowns, as Donald Rumsfeld would say.
   
 
   
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