In the spring of 1869 Central Pacific track laying crews were racing across Utah heading toward their meeting with the Union Pacific coming from the east.

On April 28th they set a record that still amazes construction engineers. On that one day the Central Pacicif workmen laid ten miles of track!

If that doesn't impress you, think of it this way: ten miles of track is about 2,112,000 lbs. of rail (60 lbs. per yard). This was spiked to 24,000 crossties, which were 6" x 8" x 8'. And it was all done by hand!