Union Pacific Railroad

"On May 10th, 1869, the last spike . . a Golden Spike . . was driven and America was united by the transcontinental Pacific Railway. The Union Pacific's locomotive No. 119 and the Central Pacific's "Jupiter" inched together, finally touching nose to nose, symbolizing the completion of the railroad . . . The Wedding of the Rails."

Unloading railroad supplies on the banks of the Missouri River in Omaha in 1865.

Illustration, undated. "Workers on the U.P. exchanging picks and shovel for rifles to repel an Indian attack" written on the reverse side.

The Union Pacific Transfer. Depot and Hotel South 21st Street and Twelfth Avenue. Closed and torn down about 1935. Later site of United States Mail Terminal.

"Chief Red Cloud didn't want the 'Iron Horse' because it 'scared away the buffalo,'" written on the reverse side.

Postcard of the Union Pacific Transfer Station with the caption "Union Pacific Transfer Depot, Council Bluffs, Iowa."

Postcard of the Union Pacific Transfer Station with the caption "8172. Union Pacific Transfer, Council Bluffs, Ia."

Postcard of the Union Pacific Transfer Station with the caption "Union Pacific Transfer Depot."

Postcard of the Union Pacific Transfer Station with the caption "Union Pacific Transfer Depot, Council Bluffs, Iowa." This photo appeared in a Daily Nonpareil article from October 6, 1957 that has the caption "the old Union Pacific Transfer Depot at Tenth Ave. and Twenty-first St. was a busy place at the time this picture was made. Not only mail was transferred in the open sheds at left, but cross-country passengers as well. Hotel facilities were part of the service offered. This picture is from an old postcard loaned by Arthur Rogers. It was dated 1913."

"The Union Pacific Mail Terminal has taken on a streamlined appearance, having lost it's [sic] upper story in remodeling. It is still a mighty busy place, handling an ever increasing volume of mail from the many railroads that converge at the terminal. This picture shot from the north east of the building shows part of the covered conveyor, at left, used to handle mail in loading and unloading."

Caption from the October 6, 1957 issue of the Daily Nonpareil

The Union Pacific Transfer Depot, undated.

Luxurious Facilities...were available to rail travelers in 1879 when this transfer building was opened here by the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1938, the southern two-thirds of the building, left, were removed to make way for the glass and steel mail facility there today.

Caption from the March 13, 1966 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

New Mail Conveyor...carries mail sacks on enclosed endless belt at left, travels underground to sorting tables at right. Sorted mail is moved on trucks fastened to endless overhead chain that is 2,900 feet long. Control panel for the system is near terminal entrance.

Caption from the November 2, 1951 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

"Gone Are the Days! Scene at the Union Pacific Railroad depot at 'Omaha City,' taken September 12, 1868."

Union Pacific Depot, Omaha, Nebraska, circa 1885. Built in 1882.

A train at the Union Pacific Transfer carrying troops from Council Bluffs, IA on their way the Philippines, circa 1898.

Union Pacific Railroad Steam Engine. Northern Class Steam Locomotive. Built in 1937 for freight and passenger service. Renumbered from 844.

The old Union Pacific 8444 rolled into Council Bluffs Friday morning on its way from Cheyenne, Wyo., to Omaha. A little out of the way? Well, the 451-ton engine is one of the world's largest operating steam locomotives and had to be turned around in order to get into Ak-Sar-Ben where it will be on display this weekend. The only turntable big enough to handle the 8444 was in Council Bluffs. The 1944 engine will be on display at the Golden Spike Monument in Council Bluffs Oct. 2-3.

Caption from the September 24, 1982 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

Admirers of a past railroad era got a chance Saturday to see the 8444 steam locomotive, which was first used in 1944 to haul freight. The locomotive was brought out of storage by Union Pacific Railroad and displayed at the tracks near the Golden Spike Monument.

Caption from the October 3, 1982 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

Railroad buffs, young and old alike, crowded the Chicago and North Western roundhouse yards Friday to see Union Pacific's 'Old 8444' steam locomotive get turned around. The locomotive, delivered to the railroad in 1944, is fired by oil and weighs just under 1 million pounds.

Caption from the June 17, 1983 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

Billowing Steam...blossoms from the stack of locomotive 8444 in Omaha Sunday. The top of the stack is 16 feet 2 inches above the tracks. The engine has logged more than 1.7 million miles since it was placed in operation in 1944. After refitting in Omaha, the train will be returned to Cheyenne, Wyo., where it will be used for occasional railroad buff tours.

Caption from the November 8, 1971 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

Huge Drivers...are 80 inches in diameter and develop a starting tractive force of 63,800 pounds. Many in the crowd at Valley, Neb., held tape recorders near the hissing steam locomotive to record a sound that isn't heard much anymore.

Caption from the November 8, 1971 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

The Union Pacific's...8444 steam locomotive will be on display at the Golden Spike Monument in Council Bluffs Sept. 27 and 28 as part of the River City Roundup festivities. Crew members will be at the monument from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 28 allowing people to look inside the engine.

Caption from the September 20, 1983 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

Postcard of Steam Engine Memorial at 39th and West Broadway, Council Bluffs, circa 1960.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, February 26, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, February 28, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, March 2, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, March 3, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, March 7, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, March 8, 1887.

Council Bluffs riverfront with construction of Union Pacific bridge in background, March 12, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction of the over the Missouri River, March 18, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, March 18, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, March, 18, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, March 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, April 2, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, April 5, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, April 6, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, April 8, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, April 18, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, April 24, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, April 24, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, April 24, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, April 26, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, April 26, 1887.

Women and children on Council Bluffs riverfront with Union Pacific bridge in background, May 8, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, May 10, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, May 13, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, May 30, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, May 1887. 

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, 1887.

Council Bluffs riverfront with Union Pacific bridge in background, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, 1887.

Union Pacific bridge construction over the Missouri River, 1887.

Postcard of the Union Pacific bridge with the caption "Union Pacific R. R. Bridge, between Omaha, Neb. and Council Bluffs, Ia."

"The fine bronze buffalo head which looks down from the east portal as all trains pass over the Union Pacific railroad bridge here."

Caption from the July 26, 1936 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

"Over the Union Pacific bridge, pictured in the foreground above, passes the nation's transcontinental traffic. The bridge carries the passenger trains and most of the freight trains of all railroads between Council Bluffs and Omaha. In the background is the bridge of the Omaha and Council Bluffs Street Railway company, which carries street car and vehicular traffic between the two cities."

Caption from the July 26, 1936 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

"Fast trains use the modern steel Union Pacific Railroad Bridge [built in 1916] at approximately the same location. The bridge is above the reach of high water and boats pass underneath as they travel both up and down the deeper Missouri River."

Caption from the February 4, 1954 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

Aerial photo, facing north, of Union Pacific Missouri River bridge, with the Omaha Public Power District's Jones Street station pictured in the upper left of the photo, circa 1960.

Council Bluffs, Iowa--Railroads and the Union Pacific roundhouse stabilize the economy of the city.

Caption from the Daily Nonpareil, undated.

"This locomotive, 'old 58', is of the type in use on the Union Pacific at the time of the driving of the golden spike. This engine is now traveling across country and being shown in conjunction with the railroad's latest type locomotives."

Caption from the April 26, 1939 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

"Railroad yards and equipment, under a backdrop of bluffs for which Council Bluffs was named, and framed by a signal structure. The photo was taken from the east approach to the Missouri River bridge through the Union Pacific yards."

Caption from the August 2, 1959 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

"This new viaduct, more than 400 feet long, in the Union Pacific yards, was recently completed for the safety and convenience of employes [sic], who formerly were forced to go a roundabout way to their place of employment in the yards. Cost of construction was approximately $35,000. The railroad has nearly 1,400 employes [sic] living in Council Bluffs. The viaduct extends from the platform in rear of the transfer building south across all tracks to the roundhouse and yardmaster's office."

Caption from the May 26, 1929 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

"Going Down...the heavy span with supporting legs partially cut through folded like a pair of scissors and landed with a thud on the well-placed timbers for a cushion. The bridge cleared the rail tracks by inches."

Caption from the March 22, 1974 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

"Union Pacific Railroad trackage now serves the Iowa-Nebraska River Industrial Park in the Southwest part of Council Bluffs. Peavey Elevator Co. can be seen in the background."

Caption from the March 13, 1966 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

Train cars in the Union Pacific rail yard with the Union Pacific Transfer depot in the background, undated.

Aerial photo of Union Pacific Railroad yards in Council Bluffs looking to the southwest, undated. The road in the foreground where the railroad tracks cross is Ninth Avenue. The Golden Spike Monument is at middle right.

"New Diesel Engine House...whose site is roughly shown here is part of a $2,500,000 improvement project for the Union Pacific Railroad yards in Council Bluffs. Access tracks to the new engine house will necessitate relocation of the stock yards, lower right. The project, due to start this spring, also calls for a new westbound freight forwarding yard."

Caption from the February 13, 1955 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

Photo was taken in 1949.

"Greasing Big Drives...on old "823" for its last run is Machinist Robert Swanger of Honey Creek. Drive wheels on the steam engines are six feet in diameter."

Caption from the February 1, 1962 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

"Detour Routes...will be constructed on either side of the Union Pacific's tracks at this location to allow train passage while Iowa Highway Commission contractors build an underpass for Interstate 29--from the top down!"

Caption from the July 20, 1969 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

"Today...diesel locomotives like this switch engine in the Union Pacific yard move smoothly across millions of miles of U.S. tracks. Burning of oil has cut down on coal consumption to the point where cinders are becoming scarce for city streets. Last week two eastern railroads announced they would replace the fog horn drawl of the diesel train with something like the old steam whistle. Reason: More pleasing to the ears."

Caption from the January 10, 1954 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

"The Union Pacific Railroad yards at Seventeenth Street and Fourteenth Avenue are a bit more glamorous. Trees have been planted along the tracks and all the light poles have been painted a light green. There also are flower pots hanging from each of the poles. Pavement has been laid for the convenience of passengers."

Caption from the October 10, 1971 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

"Cars Tied Up...by strike at the Council Bluffs yards of Union Pacific total about 1,200. Some are shown here, looking west from the U.P. yard tower."

Caption from the April 2, 1966 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

"'Three-Level' Construction...in new diesel shop enables workmen to service all parts of a unit at one time. Railroad employes [sic] are shown here taking advantage of the new idea in shop construction."

Caption from the December 2, 1956 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

Union Pacific locomotive in a rail yard, March 1966.

"To handle the increasing volume of piggy-back freight, Union Pacific Railroad has opened an intermodal freight terminal in Omaha, according to W. J. Fox, UP vice president of operations. The terminal, located on the old Union Station passenger yard, has two parallel tracks with a capacity of 32 cars, and allows quick pick-up and set-out by train crews. Trailers are loaded and unloaded circus-style, with a portable ramp, and especially built tractor for power."

Caption from the July 8, 1973 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

"A new 36-car, coast-to-coast mail train departed 10 minutes early as it passed westward through Council Bluffs Saturday night. The train was to leave here at 7:15 but pulled out at 7:05. The train stopped at the former mail terminal on South Twenty-first Street to take on the mail from western Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and both Dakotas. The train is expected to cut down travel time for mail from 58 to 50 hours to the west coast and from 71 to 50 hours to the East Coast. It will stop in Council Bluffs at 6:15 p.m. each day and depart at 7:15 p.m."

Caption from the July 16, 1972 issue of the Daily Nonpareil.

"Transition from sledges, crowbars, and backbreaking labor to the modern rail machines shown here has put the business of maintaining a railroad's right of way into the realm of a science. And it's a science that's expensive. Union Pacific Railroad has reported its track maintenance costs are running over $26,000,000 annually--nearly half the amount it cost for the road's original construction from Omaha to Promontory Point, Utah."

Union Pacific Railroad Photo, taken in January of 1962.

"The Streamliner 'City of Los Angeles'; the Chicago and North Western - Union Pacific high speed eleven car streamline train started from Chicago this morning (Friday, May 1st) on a trial run to Omaha. It is shown as it stood in the North Western passenger station in Chicago. The train will go into service on a 39-3/4 hour schedule effective from Los Angeles May 15th," written on reverse side, undated.

Map showing tracks owned by the Union Pacific Railroad and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad in the United States west of Chicago. November 1964.

Historical Society of Pottawattamie County newsletter from Jun 1998. Contains an article titled "Dodge Park Locomotives Had Long Service With the Railroad: Union Pacific Steam Locomotive #814 Northern Type Wheel Arrangement 4-8-4 UP Class FEF - 266 Oil Burner," pages 4 and 8.

Historical Society of Pottawattamie County newsletter from March 2001. Contains an article titled "A Brief History of the Famous Shield," talking about how the Union Pacific logo was conceived. Page 7.

Historical Society of Pottawattamie County newsletter from November 2001. Contains an article titled "Council Bluffs' Union Pacific Depot Master: A Professional Railroad Man," a short biography of James McMillen. Pages 3-4.

Historical Society of Pottawattamie County newsletter from March 2003. Contains an article titled "The Union Pacific in Council Bluffs," Pages 2-4.

Historical Society of Pottawattamie County newsletter from May 2004. Contains an article titled "The New Conquerer of the Plains," talking about the competition between Union Pacific Railroad and Burlington Railroad for superior passenger services. Pages 2-4.

Historical Society of Pottawattamie County newsletter from Aug-Oct 2012. Contains an article titled "Union Pacific's Hard Working Switch Engines," pages 8-9.