USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The story goes that on May 10, 1869, the Central Pacific Railroad’s tracks from the west were connected to the Union Pacific Railroad’s tracks from the east in Promontory Summit, Utah.

Detailed explanation-2: -As Central Pacific laid tracks eastward, Union Pacific was working westward and the race to Promontory Summit, Utah, where they would eventually meet on May 10, 1869, was on.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Transcontinental Railroad connected Omaha, Nebraska and Sacramento, California, thus establishing an efficient transportation route west of the Mississippi to the West Coast.

Detailed explanation-4: -From May-December 1869, Promontory was the terminus of the transcontinental railroad (the junction point for Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads).

Detailed explanation-5: -The legislation authorized two railroad companies, the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific, to construct the lines.