The railroad spike used in celebrating the wedding of the rails was the golden spike.
That large nail is called a railroad spike.
Box Elder County,Utah at Promontory Point
The biggest nail is the railroad spike, which is typically 6 to 9 inches long and used to secure rails to railroad ties.
The transcontinental railroad ended in Utah with a golden spike and bronze spike.
With a spike...
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Railroad tracks are held in place by railroad ties (also known as sleepers), which are wooden planks or concrete blocks that support the rails and distribute the weight of the train. These ties are secured to the ground using spikes or bolts to keep the rails stable and prevent them from shifting. Additionally, ballast (typically crushed stone) is used to provide stability and drainage around the ties.
The golden spike (also known as The Last Spike) connecting the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads was driven at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory on May 10, 1869. It was the ceremonial final spike driven by Leland Stanford to join the rails of the First Transcontinental Railroad across the United States.
The last golden railroad spike is at Promontory, Utah May 10, 1869,as the Union Pacific Tracks joined the Central Pacific railroad tracks
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The golden spike was famous for finishing the transcontinental railroad in America.