ARGO GOLD MINE TRAIN GOLDEN SPIKE CEREMONY – JULY 17, 2004
In 1999 the Bakers purchased the Argo Gold Mine 18” gauge railroad train which had been operating as a tourist attraction at the Argo Gold Mine National Park in Idaho Springs, CO. Following five years of Stephen driving spikes, the Golden Spike ceremony was held on July 17, 2004, with 55 members of the Baker’s family present for the inaugural run of the train.
Fifty-five members of our family joined us on July 17, 2004, for the driving of the Golden Spike. After five long years of installing the roadbed on the Argo Gold Mine Train, we prepared for the inaugural run!
In this series of four photographs, Stephen drives the final golden spike in the one mile roadbed. Finding enough mining rail involved attending sales and auctions over a five year period in many western states.
An original iron spike from the transcontinental railroad is driven by our sons Joshua & Will with the help of our niece and nephew, Maggie and Jack Baker.
The original iron spike from the transcontinental railroad was found on the roadbed of the route near Carlin, Nevada.
Our Golden Spike ceremony is memoralized in a carved rock in our garden. In the photo at the right you can see the engraved rock on the ground where the golden spike was driven.
When Stephen started the railroad project in 1999, Cheryl gave him an engraved rock which helped him focus on the fun of the project instead of the work involved. Every day Stephen worked on the roadbed, at the end of the day he would move the rock to the end of the section he had just finished, and then he would drive the train up to the rock. It took five long years, but this rock kept his enthusiasm going strong the entire time. Stephen could not have completed the railroad without Cheryl’s enthusiastic support.
Our son Joshua had our family members and friends who attended the Golden Spike ceremony sign this framed photograph as a memento of the day.
Family members and friends watch the driving of the golden spike.
Joshua, Kim, Will, and Mica helped Stephen and Cheryl celebrate the day. Our family served as cheerleaders during the five year project.
Following the driving of the Golden Spike, our family and friends loaded on the train (all 55 of us) and set out on the inaugural run of the Argo Gold Mine Train.
Stephen and Cheryl were surprised when our family asked us to stop the train near the Cottage Garden. We were then presented with a beautiful garden fountain to celebrate the day.
In true old west action, the Younger gang robbed the train on its inaugural run. Pictured are our neighbors, Jay, Susi, and Jessica Younger, along with our son Will.
