Near Corinne in Box Elder County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Last Cut
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 27, 2014
1. The Last Cut Marker
Inscription.
The Last Cut. . By April of 1869, the Union Pacific was working its Mormon and Irish labor forces day and night in order to meet the scheduled deadline for the completion of the railroad. Below you is the last cut made along the transcontinental route. Cuts such as these were necessary to maintain a smooth and steady grade and to keep within the 2 percent maximum rise (106 feet per mile) mandated by the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862. Atop the cut, notice the excess rock left over from excavation, which is neatly stacked with the largest rocks on the bottom to stabilize the rock pile and to keep debris out of the cut. Excavated materials like these were often used as fill to build up the adjacent grade along the route.
By April of 1869, the Union Pacific was working its Mormon and Irish labor forces day and night in order to meet the scheduled deadline for the completion of the railroad. Below you is the last cut made along the transcontinental route. Cuts such as these were necessary to maintain a smooth and steady grade and to keep within the 2 percent maximum rise (106 feet per mile) mandated by the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862. Atop the cut, notice the excess rock left over from excavation, which is neatly stacked with the largest rocks on the bottom to stabilize the rock pile and to keep debris out of the cut. Excavated materials like these were often used as fill to build up the adjacent grade along the route.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1869.
Location. 41° 37.672′ N, 112° 30.231′ W. Marker is near Corinne, Utah, in Box Elder County. Marker is on Promontory Trail, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Corinne UT 84307, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Chinese Arch (approx. 0.6 miles away); Big Fill Trail (approx. 0.9 miles away); The “Orange Special” Wreck
More about this marker. This marker is at Stop 11 of the the Promontory Trail Driving Tour. Pick up a guidebook at the Golden Spike National Historic Site Visitors Center.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 27, 2014
2. The Last Cut Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 27, 2014
3. The Last Cut
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 27, 2014
4. The Last Cut
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 578 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 21, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
