In 1865, Chinese immigrants were enlisted by the Central Pacific Railroad in the building of the western section of the First Transcontinental Railroad. Between 1865 and May 10, 1869, when the “Golden Spike” was driven with a silver hammer at Promontory Summit, it was estimated up to 15,000 Chinese, the majority of the labor force, had been working tirelessly over and through the granite walls of the Sierra Nevada and the blistering desert of Nevada.
The First Transcontinental Railroad united California and the other western states to the eastern part of the country. With newly-opened markets in the east, there was rapid growth in California’s agricultural production which was later followed by growth in other economical forms as well.
2015 marked the start of 150th anniversary of the Chinese building the First Transcontinental Railroad. Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA), Union Pacific, California State Railroad Museum, California Center and Shandong Film Association, China co-hosted a series of events in Sacramento and San Francisco to celebrate this occasion. Some of the hosts of the 2015 celebrations de-cided to form a new nonprofit organization, US – China Railroad Friendship Association, to continue this effort.
American Eagle Express was settled at its new home
Through the arrangement of Jeff Gibeling, the Chair of CSRMF and Stephen Zhou, Treasure of CSRMF and Vice President of UCRFA, American Eagle Express was transported from CSRM Shop to Asian Heritage Center in Yin Ranch, the founder of APAPA and Asian Heritage Center welcomed the locomotive replica. American Eagle Express was earlier donated by CSRMF to UCRFA, and UCRFA now donated it to Asian Heritage Center. At its new home, American Eagle Express can continue tell the railroad story, the first event that American Eagle Express attended was “Roots & Resilience” hosted by Asian Heritage Center on May 16, 2026.
The CSRM Field Trip and Train Ride on May 17 and June 6 were very successful
A total of 21 students, and 29 teachers, TAs and parents attended the field trip and train ride on May 17, and 41 students, and 31 teachers, TAs and parents attended the field trip and train ride on June 6. They are from Changcheng Chinese School in Sacramento, Folsom Chinese School in Folsom; Sun Yet Sen Chinese School in Sacramento, NewStar Chinese School in Davis; Seirra Chinese School in Rocklin, Fei Tian Mandarin Tutoring in Elk Grove, and Little Mandarin Institute and Mandarin Immersion Program. Lijun Wu, the principal of Sun Yet Sen Chinese School, said that the trip is a great gift for her graduation class.
UCRFA donated Chinese Railroad Workers sculpture replica to the Golden Drift Museum
Golden Drift Museum hosts a Grand Opening for the Season on May 23, to celebrate the 40 years anniversary of Golden Drift Historical Society, and 175 years of Placer County. UCRFA donated a Chinese Railroad Workers sculpture replica, a book of Chinese Railroad Historical Photo Album and a Golden Spike mug. At this special celebration, the replica is a good gift for the celebration.
At Dutch Flat, there is a Chinese Cemetery with over 300 gravesides in it, Golden Drift Historical Society just built a new sacrificial altar at the original location. They will continue to do more work to maintain the cemetery. Thanks to their hard work.
California State Railroad Museum director Dr. Ty Smith begins the next chapter of his public service career as the new City Historian for the City of Sacramento. Over the years that Ty has been a direct of CSRM, UCRFA received strong support from him and CSRM, we:
- Hosted the “Inaugural Banquet Celebrating the 150 Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad in California” at Round House in 2018.
- Received free admission to the tour of “Return to Gold Mountain 2018”
- Hosted “The Last Mile – Embracing the Contribution of Chinese Railroad Workers” at Round House in 2019.
- The Chinese Railroad Worker statue has a temporary home at CSRM since 2019.
- Hosted “Chinese Railroad Workers Historical Photos and Painting Exhibition” at museum gallery area in 2024 and 2025.
- Ty was a speaker at “155th Anniversary Completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad Forum” in 2024
- Received free admissions to Chinese School students, TAs and teachers for “160th Anniversary of the Chinese Railroad Workers Participating in the Construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad” in 2025, and “157th Anniversary of the Completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad” in 2026.
UCRFA greatly appreciates the support from Dr. Ty Smith and CSRM, and we wish him success at his new position.
