Near Park Valley in Box Elder County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Peplin
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 20, 2017
1. Peplin Marker
Peplin was a small temporary occupation. Central Pacific track layers reached this point on April 9, 1869, but the earliest documented use as a siding was 1888. The remains of Peplin siding can be seen in the small cut made for the railroad. Sidings are often characterized by railroad ties embedded in the grade.
Building a railroad leaves scars that are an important part of our historic past. Today the landscape looks much the same as it did in 1869, but the rails, the towns, and even the lonely rail sidings are largely gone. With proper management and protection, the railroad grade and its associated features will exist for hundreds of years. Much of the grade remains and serves as a back country byway across the Great Salt Lake Desert.
Large rock cuts in the Peplin and Promontory Mountains and large earthen filled testify to the strength and perseverance of the railroad workers.
Erosion control technique employed over a century ago contribute to the grade's longevity. In the Peplin Mountains, railroad ties are embedded upright in the wash channels upstream from the grade to divert runoff water through culverts. Despite limited precipitation, the desert soils erode easily, as evidenced by numerous gullies and arroyos. Culverts and bridges were continually rebuilt
this page online
Erected by Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Transcontinental Railroad series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.
Location. 41° 39.924′ N, 113° 9.834′ W. Marker is near Park Valley, Utah, in Box Elder County. Marker is on Transcontinental Railroad Back Country Byway, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Park Valley UT 84329, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Ombey (approx. 3.6 miles away); Kelton (approx. 6.2 miles away); Romola (approx. 7.8 miles away); Elinor (approx. 10 miles away); Matlin (approx. 12.6 miles away).
More about this marker. The Transcontinental Railroad Back Country Byway is a 90 mile dirt/gravel track on top of or beside the old Central Pacific Rail Road grade between Old Lucin and Promontory Summit. Other than markers designating old station and sidings there are few, if any, road signs identifying any of the side roads. Any other road names or numbers use on this marker page have been taken Google Maps which identifies the Byway
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 20, 2017
2. Peplin Marker
Neither are there any mileage posts, though one could do the arithmetic using the "Mile ... from San Francisco" on the markers to determine distances. Nor is there any mail delivery, so no street addresses either.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 20, 2017
3. Erosion is still a problem
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 398 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 11, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
