Union Pacific Rail History

[ricko]

OK, this is a question for all of you rail buffs out there.

You all know that Omaha/CB was the eastern terminus for the first trans-continental railroad (built from 1864-9). I've done some research but I've been unable to find out exactly where the original right-of-way for the tracks was/is in the city, and if it still exist. I grew up near some UP tracks in South Omaha, and several of my ancestors worked for the UP in Omaha in the 19th century (one relative still does). This is an annoying gap in my Omaha history knowledge that I'd like to correct. Anyone know?


Thanks.

[Brad]

I posted your question on the Omaha/Council Bluffs Railfan user Group on Yahoo.

[binder001]

The 1860s Union Pacific started in Council Bluffs, IA (per the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862). Legend says that the reason for starting in Council Bluffs is because Abe Lincoln owned some property there. The current "Milepost Zero" is inside the UP terminal area - no a place for visitors. It is roughly due south of the Golden Spike Monument in Council Bluffs.

After crossing the Missouri River the original UP route ran south through Omaha to the Papillion Creek valley and went northwestward. The line followed the current mainline up from the river bottoms and ran southwest (where the tracks are now). At a point called "Summit" , currently right under the I80/480/Hwy75 viaducts over the tracks, where the current UP line turns westward, the tracks went south. There are still tracks using the original right of way to Bellevue. At at point called "Gilmore" (Approximately 25th and Gilmore Ave) the tracks turned west and followed the watershed through Papillion, turning northwest to follow the east side of the creek. The old route and new (1905) route connected at "Lane" which is visible just north of West Center Road, off Bob Boozer Drive.

After Mr. E.H. Harriman took over the UP he wanted to reduce excess mileage and looked at the long south single-track loop out of Omaha. In a large civil engineering project the railroad built a two track line due west from Summit crossing through the hills and over the watersheds in est Omaha. This "Lane Cut Off" was opened about 1905 and is the current mainline that parallels I80 and "L" Street.

The old route is still used south from Summit as part of the UP line to Kansas City, but there is no track going west along the creek anymore. One short segment is still in use from Lane down into Millard, primarily to serve Millard Lumber, a freight car repair facility and a couple other customers. I believe that the UP has put this stub up for abandonment.

Although the Golden Spike was celebrated on May 10, 1869 the true transcontinental railroad route was not complete until about 1871 when the Missouri River was bridged at Omaha. Before then cars or freight were ferried across the river. The former Chicago Northwestern tracks to the south of Broadway in Council Bluffs that are still used for grain elevators are reportedly the remains of one of the lines going to the river for ferrying cars to Omaha.

For further reading: "Nothing Else Like It in the World" by Stephen Ambrose, "Westward to Promontory" (available at the UP Museum) among others.

[ricko]

Thanks! This is exactly the info I was looking for!

[Brad]

Here is the response from "local railroad "expert"" Tim Vana

[quote="Local Railroad and Amtrak "Expert" Tim Vana"]
The question is about the original UP trackage in the area. Here are
my responses.

The original UP is milepost 0 (ZERO)which is by the car shops just
south of Fox Park in Council Bluffs. The milepost was easily visible
to yard visitors.

The easternmost point of the old UP in Council Bluffs is actually a
mile east of the yard. This is 10th Avenue and Main Street. The
tracks are in the street still on BOTH sides.

The old mainline was severed circa 1987. It was double-tracked until
the 1960's and signalized until the end as a through route.

It hosted freight detours in the 1970's. UP had a series of large
washouts on the Lane Cutoff circa 1971-72, especially 60th st to 84th
Street.

Tim Vana/Omaha, NE [/quote]

[Allan_Love_Jr]

Here is the response from "local railroad "expert"" Tim Vana

[quote="Local Railroad and Amtrak "Expert" Tim Vana"]
The question is about the original UP trackage in the area. Here are
my responses.

The original UP is milepost 0 (ZERO)which is by the car shops just
south of Fox Park in Council Bluffs. The milepost was easily visible
to yard visitors.

The easternmost point of the old UP in Council Bluffs is actually a
mile east of the yard. This is 10th Avenue and Main Street. The
tracks are in the street still on BOTH sides.

The old mainline was severed circa 1987. It was double-tracked until
the 1960's and signalized until the end as a through route.

It hosted freight detours in the 1970's. UP had a series of large
washouts on the Lane Cutoff circa 1971-72, especially 60th st to 84th
Street.

Tim Vana/Omaha, NE

[/quote]The thing about Tim is,he "Thinks" that he is a Railfan. He's just a want a be. He thinks he knows everything about the Railroads.

[Brad]

The thing about Tim is,he "Thinks" that he is a Railfan. He's just a want a be. He thinks he knows everything about the Railroads.

He defiantely is an interesting character.

By The way, did you find out the locomotive used on the special?

[Allan_Love_Jr]

The thing about Tim is,he "Thinks" that he is a Railfan. He's just a want a be. He thinks he knows everything about the Railroads.

He defiantely is an interesting character.

By The way, did you find out the locomotive used on the special?

What special was that?

[Brad]

Tim Vana/Omaha, NE

The thing about Tim is,he "Thinks" that he is a Railfan. He's just a want a be. He thinks he knows everything about the Railroads.

He defiantely is an interesting character.

By The way, did you find out the locomotive used on the special?

What special was that?

It was the big special that ran out to Cheyenne. However I found out they used the Centennial. I sent you an email and put it on the user groups and railroad forums.

[Allan_Love_Jr]

It was the big special that ran out to Cheyenne. However I found out they used the Centennial. I sent you an email and put it on the user groups and railroad forums.

Oh ya,I already found about it,Thanks Brad.

[Darthmoose74]

Ah, the Gilmore Oxbow area.
Anyone got pictures of it before it was all tore out?

[[email protected]]

Everything I've read on this forum about the beginning of the UP in Omaha/CB is INCORRECT.

I worked for UP for 41 years and am quite familiar with it's history.

The original beginning, or Initial Point as it was called, of the eastern terminous of the railroad is in Carter Lake. Not Omaha and not In Council Bluffs.

During its contruction years, the railroad got paid after each 20 miles was laid. The materials needed were ferried across the Missouri River and stockpiled near the eastern ends of Chicago, Davenport and Douglas Streets. The first bridge across the Missouri River into Council Bluffs was not completed until 1872, 3 years after the completion of the railroad in 1869.

Construction started in this area as rail was laid heading south by southwest toward Papillion. As the rails were laid, trains brought materials to the end of track. When they ran out of material, it was thought they had completed 20 miles. But after surveying the track laid, it was only 19 miles.

As soon as more material arrived, instead of taking it to the end of track, they extended the line north 1 mile until they had 20 miles laid. This got them paid quicker.

In 1865 when construction began, the Missouri River ran where present day Carter Lake is located. The railroad ran up along the west and north bank of the river to it's terminous labeled Initial Point. In 1877, the river changed course, flooding the area and shifted the river channel to the south. It also created the ox bow that is Cater Lake and flooded the Inital Point of the railroad.

The Inital Point in Carter Lake is platted on the maps of the Railroad.