Meeting of the west and east lines

With two railroad companies competing to lay track from east to west and west to east, Where they should meet could not be decided. They passed each other and continue laying tracks for many miles before a location near Promontory Summit was finally chosen. Only about 2 miles of track remains. Better routes were later found and the steel used was needed for war time efforts in the World War. There were actually 5 stakes used for the ceremony. Only 1 iron stake was actually driven in.