This coming year will mark the 150th anniversary of the completion of the United States’ first transcontinental railroad at Promontory, Utah. At the time, Promontory was a remote location, far from a large city. Because the junction site would need to serve as a major railroad hub where passengers would disembark one company’s railcars and board another’s, the transfer point between the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads was moved to Ogden, Utah. Over the next few decades no traveling passenger would cross the country by rail without stopping there.

This evolution in transportation ushered in a period of remarkable growth, and the cultural diversity and commerce that endlessly streamed through Ogden’s Union Station and legendary 25th street forever changed its place in history.

Ogden had a total of three train stations over the years. This one was it’s second and quite beautiful. The architect also built the Union Station in Portland, Oregon. If you look at both, you’ll see some similarities. Tragically, the Ogden station … — Ogden had a total of three train stations over the years. This one was it’s second and quite beautiful. The architect also built the Union Station in Portland, Oregon. If you look at both, you’ll see some similarities. Tragically, the Ogden station burned down in a fire in the early 1920s. (Images courtesy Union Station Archives)

In 2005 I became interested in Ogden’s railroad history after visiting with volunteers at the Union Station Museum. Retired railroad workers served as patrons at the Museum and shared great stories. One individual in particular, Grant Gibson, managed a dining car and told me about a time he accompanied Eleanor Roosevelt up Ogden’s notorious 25th Street.

For the next two years I produced a documentary on Ogden's railroad story and it premiered on April 25th 2007 at Peery’s Egyptian Theater.

With the Promontory celebration approaching, I thought now would be a good time to make the film available online. Hope you enjoy it!

At its peak, 100 trains a day would pass through the Ogden yards. Managing this constant stream of coming and going required a large workforce.

25th Street’s proximity to the train station made made it a busy destination for waiting travelers.

Of all the photos I found while doing research for the documentary, this was my favorite. My friend Josh Roberts colored the original black and white image of the Union Station lobby.

One of the highlights of production was interviewing Joe McQueen, a jazz musician who played for years at 25th Street’s Porters and Waiters Club. (Images courtesy Union Station Archives)