The Transcontinental Railroad Grade is a historic section of abandoned railway in northwest Utah, United States, near the town of Corinne. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on December 8, 1994 (NRHP reference No. 94001423).
Location and Description
The site consists of an abandoned 13.5-mile (21.7 km) segment of the original 1869 grade of the first transcontinental railroad. It runs roughly from a point about 6 miles west of Corinne for approximately 13 miles further west, along what is now Utah State Route 83. The area is near Promontory Summit, where the ceremonial golden spike was driven to mark the completion of the transcontinental railway. The property covers approximately 655 acres (2.65 km²).
Features
The grade includes a raised trackway (embankment), 11 trestles, and 21 culverts, all built in 1869 or in the years shortly thereafter. The trestles were constructed largely with redwood and feature vertical round beams supporting stringers that in turn support railway ties. By 1992, only three of the trestles were reported to be in good condition.
History
This section was originally built by the Union Pacific Railroad. Due to financial incentives at the time, the construction was reportedly of poor quality. The Central Pacific Railroad acquired the section in 1869 and subsequently found it necessary to replace trestles and otherwise rebuild the route.
Public Access and Designation
The Transcontinental Railroad Grade is also part of the larger Transcontinental Railroad National Back Country Byway (also known as the Central Pacific Railroad Grade), a 90-mile route administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The byway is a designated Area of Critical Environmental Concern and is open for public use. The BLM published a study in 2021 on archaeological evidence found along the abandoned grade around the Great Salt Lake, particularly sites and artifacts related to Chinese railroad workers.
