USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Most of the early workers were Irish immigrants. Railroad work was hard, and management was chaotic, leading to a high attrition rate. The Central Pacific management puzzled over how it could attract and retain a work force up to the enormous task.

Detailed explanation-2: -Most of the immigrants who built the Union Pacific railroad were from Ireland. The land that was crossed by the Union Pacific was always flat and easily traversed. At one point the crews were so fast, they completed 10 miles of track in one day.

Detailed explanation-3: -Three thousand Irish immigrants work mainly on the Union Pacific line going West to East. In 1866, 3, 000 Chinese are hired and soon make up 75% of the Central Pacific (West to East) workforce of 10, 000 to 12, 000 men.

Detailed explanation-4: -Seeking a better life, the Irish offered theirs skills and their strength, serving as engineers, managers, masons and laborers on both the Central Pacific and the Union Pacific railroads. The Irish helped build the nation we know today.

Detailed explanation-5: -(By contrast, the work force of the Union Pacific was mainly Irish immigrants and Civil War veterans.)