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The Pacific Railroad Act of 1862 made construction of the transcontinental railroad possible. It designated tasks for two companies: the Central Pacific Railroad of California (CP) was to build eastward from Sacramento, and a new company called the Union Pacific (UP) was to build westward up the Platte River Valley from Omaha, Nebraska.
The UP first entered Wyoming in 1868 at Pine Bluffs. First known as Rock Ranch, railroad officials changed the name to Pine Bluffs for the pines that were growing on the nearby bluffs.
Rather than try to reinvent the wheel on the UP history, which is extensive, you can start by going to the Union Pacific Railroad History and Photos page at the UP site. For an even better site, Don Strack's Union Pacific Page has a ton of info.
I also have a large section on the Union Pacific at UtahRails.com.
Last Update 07/26/01
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