Central Pacific R.R. -- Construction P.16

A Chinese gang curving iron rail in 12-mile Canyon (also known as Palisade Canyon), Nevada, during construction of the Central Pacific Railroad (now Southern Pacific Railroad) in 1868. To curve rail, two rails were placed on the track about 25 feet apart. A rail was laid on its side and six men stood on it. A man with a heavy hammer would start at one end of the rail. As each of the men stepped off in succession, he would strike the hammer, moving gradually down to the other end. The weight of the men gave spring to the rail in this curving method. After the rail was bent, it was placed on its base and curvature tested with chord. It was hammered, as necessary, to even the curve. For curves of four degrees or less, no attempt was made to curve the rail before laying, as sufficient curvature could be induced in lining up the track. 435 miles from Sacramento. Photograph taken by official Central Pacific photographer: Alfred A. Hart of Sacramento. Southern Pacific Photo X156.