Which two railroads were connected by the Golden Spike?

The Golden Spike, which was driven on May 10, 1869, symbolized the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States, connecting the eastern and western rail networks. The two railroads that were joined at Promontory Summit, Utah, were the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads. This monumental event marked a significant achievement in American infrastructure, facilitating faster travel and commerce across the continent.

The Union Pacific Railroad was built westward from Omaha, Nebraska, while the Central Pacific Railroad constructed its line eastward from Sacramento, California. The successful connection of these two railroads represented a profound transformation in transportation and economic development in the U.S. during the 19th century.

Other mentioned railroads play significant roles in American history but are not directly associated with the Golden Spike event, which specifically pertains to the Union Pacific and Central Pacific. The Southern Pacific was a major railroad company but was not one of the two that met at Promontory Summit. Likewise, Burlington Northern and Santa Fe, as well as Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, were influential railroads in subsequent periods but were not part of this initial transcontinental connection.