Spike 150

Spike 150 Spike 150 is an initiative of the Golden Spike Foundation

Mark your calendars for this event of heavy weights! The Big Boy No. 4014, weighing in at 1.2 million pounds, and the Go...
04/09/2026

Mark your calendars for this event of heavy weights! The Big Boy No. 4014, weighing in at 1.2 million pounds, and the Golden Spike Monument, weighing in at 8,000 pounds, will be on display at Ogden Union Station April 18-19, 2026. No tickets required! Hope to see you there.

More information at Ogden Union Station Union Pacific Railroad

WOOT WOOT! The legendary Big Boy is rolling into Utah with stops this month—and there’s even more to celebrate…During it...
04/02/2026

WOOT WOOT! The legendary Big Boy is rolling into Utah with stops this month—and there’s even more to celebrate…

During its two-day whistle stop at Ogden Union Station on April 18-19, we are bringing out the Golden Spike Monument! That means you’ll get to experience a massive historic locomotive and a symbol of one of America’s greatest railroad achievements—all in one place.

Mark your calendars for this can’t-miss, 2-for-1 event!


Our dear friend and fearless driver, James VanOrman, passed away last week. He joined our Spike family in October 2023, ...
03/12/2026

Our dear friend and fearless driver, James VanOrman, passed away last week. He joined our Spike family in October 2023, coming on board for the Driving of the Spike tour and will forever live in our hearts. His unbridled enthusiasm, curiosity, and cheerfulness were ever-present, and he met every day with a "best day ever" attitude. He was a master driver of heavy loads, carried a joyful zest for life, and was a friend to everyone he met–from politicians to school children.

We will miss your striped overalls.
We will miss your train conductor hat.
We will miss your smile.
We will miss dancing with you.
Rest easy, sweet friend.

Our hearts are with James's family and loved ones.

“We will celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary by bringing out Big Boy No.4014 to make history on its first-ever coas...
01/09/2026

“We will celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary by bringing out Big Boy No.4014 to make history on its first-ever coast to coast tour.” Union Pacific Railroad press release

Our team was honored that the Steam Team unveiled the newly restored locomotive at Ogden’s Union Station for the 150th anniversary of the completion of the nation's first transcontinental railroad. Fingers crossed UP's Big Boy No.4014 makes a visit to Utah this year.

Have you ever seen the Big Boy? Tell us about it.

Ogden Union Station

12/23/2025

Holidays are for friends and family, and we consider you to be a part of our extended Golden Spike Family. Thank you for following us across the country and online. Wishing you all the best this holiday season. We look forward to a golden 2026!

The work of Golden Spike Foundation has been made possible by dedicated supporters who shared our vision of telling a fu...
11/26/2025

The work of Golden Spike Foundation has been made possible by dedicated supporters who shared our vision of telling a fuller, more complete story about the building of the transcontinental railroad. From the 150th anniversary commemoration to the creation of meaningful public art, they have been with us every step of the way.

We are deeply grateful for their support.

Gold leafing was the final step in the making of the Spike monument. It’s a tedious process requiring the surface to be ...
11/14/2025

Gold leafing was the final step in the making of the Spike monument. It’s a tedious process requiring the surface to be dust free prior to application. Given the size of the monument, the artist and his team worked on small sections at a time:

- Spread a layer of adhesive to a small area (yellow area in images).
- Wait a bit for the adhesive to become tacky.
- Apply gold leaf sheets (approximate 3 ⅛ square inch, 80 mm thin).
- Brush each sheet to smooth and secure it to the monument.

Required skills: a meticulous eye, a steady hand, and patience!

Fall is in full swing and the canyons are quilted in vibrant colors – it’s the perfect time to take a fall foliage road ...
10/03/2025

Fall is in full swing and the canyons are quilted in vibrant colors – it’s the perfect time to take a fall foliage road trip.

If you find yourself near Ogden, we’d suggest a stop at the historic Ogden Union Station. The Utah State Railroad Museum is always a favorite of ours, and while you are there be sure to check out the current gallery exhibition: Topaz Stories.

Logan Canyon Photo: Sam Willis
Union Station Photo: Ian Matteson

Ogden Union Station

Puzzling and WeldingThe Golden Spike Monument is composed of a series of 4x4 aluminum panels that were puzzled together ...
09/19/2025

Puzzling and Welding

The Golden Spike Monument is composed of a series of 4x4 aluminum panels that were puzzled together to create the visual story that unfolds on each side of thespike. The artist’s process is meticulous:
-Align each panel with its corresponding piece on the internal frame
-Weld every seam and edge to the frame
-Sand all rough spots
-Add textured to match the surrounding sculpted panels

In its final form, each of the four sides of the 43’ tall structure depicts an aspect of the broader narrative of the Transcontinental Railroad. Photos are from the fourth side, which explores the technology and innovation of the era.

When first constructed, the Transcontinental Railroad was 1,900 miles long!For more interesting facts and a look at some...
09/13/2025

When first constructed, the Transcontinental Railroad was 1,900 miles long!

For more interesting facts and a look at some artifacts from that period of time, visit the online library from the 2019 Spencer Fox Eccles Treasures of the Transcontinental Railroad exhibit. https://community.utah.gov/treasures/



Utah Historical Society

A huge Shout Out to all the railroad employees, past and present, who play a role in ensuring that trains “keep on a mov...
08/29/2025

A huge Shout Out to all the railroad employees, past and present, who play a role in ensuring that trains “keep on a movin”. From the maintenance workers to the engineers, the signal operators to the conductors, they keep America’s supply chain moving forward, bring friends and family together, and make our everyday life better. We see you and we appreciate you!
Chinese Railroad Workers Descendants Association

Address

60 South 600 East, Suite 150
Salt Lake City, UT
84102

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18013827555

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