Tag Archives: Trains

On the Railroad 150 Years Ago

Posted on October 7, 2018 by Robert Lee Murphy

During October 1868, the Union Pacific contract workers, under the direction of General Jack Casement, increased the pace at which they laid track. The typical rate averaged two to three miles per day, occasionally five. On October 26, however, they … Continue reading →

Posted in Central Pacific, Geography, Golden Spike - Book Three, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On the Railroad 150 Years Ago

Posted on September 7, 2018 by Robert Lee Murphy

In September 1868 both the Union Pacific and Central Pacific had departed the high mountains and were building across relatively level but difficult terrain. In Wyoming, the UP worked to cross the Red Desert between the two continental divides—one west … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Bear Claws - Book Two, Central Pacific, Geography, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Big Eight-O

Posted on March 4, 2018 by Robert Lee Murphy

This past week I celebrated my eightieth birthday. Many folks sent their good wishes. I extend my thanks to each of you. I want to share a couple of photos from my birthday dinner at Hank’s Fine Steaks & Martinis … Continue reading →

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Eagle Talons - Book One, Golden Spike - Book Three, The Iron Horse Chronicles | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Railroad History Reviews Golden Spike

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

Railroad History reviewed Golden Spike, The Iron Horse Chronicle–Book Three, in its Fall-Winter 2017 issue. Robert Butler wrote the review. Mr. Butler reviewed Eagle Talons and Bear Claws in previous issues of Railroad History. One of his closing sentences in … Continue reading →

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Book Review, Central Pacific, Eagle Talons - Book One, Golden Spike - Book Three, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The First Intercontinental Railroad 150 Years Ago

Posted on November 19, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

The first Union Pacific Railroad train rolled into Cheyenne, Dakota Territory, on November 13, 1867. (Wyoming would not be designated a separate territory until July 25, 1868.) General Grenville M. Dodge, Chief Engineer of the Union Pacific, had selected the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Central Pacific, Eagle Talons - Book One, Geography, Golden Spike - Book Three, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Return of the Original Header

Posted on August 6, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

Now that I had a little fun with the header depicting the driving of the golden spike, I’ve decided to return to the original header. The locomotive charging down the tracks better symbolizes the entire sweep of The Iron Horse … Continue reading →

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Central Pacific, Eagle Talons - Book One, Golden Spike - Book Three, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Union Pacific’s “Great Race to Promontory” Website

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

The Union Pacific Railroad has produced a website entitled “Great Race to Promontory” as part of their extensive celebration of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad nearly one hundred fifty years ago. Here is a link to the site: … Continue reading →

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Central Pacific, Eagle Talons - Book One, Geography, Golden Spike - Book Three, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trilogy Approaching Completion

Posted on June 4, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

With the Iron Horse Chronicles trilogy approaching completion, I have changed the header on this website. For the past couple of years, Union Pacific’s Engine 119 has been approaching Promontory Summit in Utah from a distance. On July 19, 2017, Golden … Continue reading →

Posted in Golden Spike - Book Three, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Roundup Magazine Article

Posted on May 8, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

I am proud to inform readers of this blog that Roundup Magazine published an article I wrote in the April 2017 issue.  The article is entitled: “In 1866, the UP made tracks to the first Wild West Show.” Shown here … Continue reading →

Posted in Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific, Writing | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Golden Spike Cover

Posted on January 30, 2017 by Robert Lee Murphy

The front cover for Golden Spike, The Iron Horse Chronicles–Book Three, is ready. Five Star Publishing is pressing ahead with final editing and production scheduling with a planned release date for the last book in my trilogy now set for July … Continue reading →

Posted in Bear Claws - Book Two, Central Pacific, Eagle Talons - Book One, Golden Spike - Book Three, Iron Horse Chronicles' Characters, The Iron Horse Chronicles, Transcontinental Railroad, Union Pacific, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment