The Transcontinental Railroad Forever stamps are a three-design USPS issue released May 10, 2019, for the 150th anniversary of the railroad’s completion. The designs show the Jupiter locomotive, Union Pacific No. 119, and the ceremonial golden spike.
The three stamp designs
- Jupiter: the Central Pacific locomotive associated with the ceremony.
- No. 119: the Union Pacific locomotive that met Jupiter at Promontory Summit.
- Golden spike: a vertical design representing the ceremonial spike placed between the two locomotive stamps.
Michael J. Deas illustrated the two locomotives using traditional nineteenth-century oil-painting techniques. Kevin Cantrell illustrated the spike and created the borders and typography. Gold-foil highlights appear across the stamps and pane header.
Official issue specifications
| Issue date | May 10, 2019 |
|---|---|
| First-day city | Promontory Summit, Utah |
| Postage class | First-Class Mail Forever |
| Original format | Pane of 18 |
| Number of designs | Three |
| USPS item number | 570400 |
Why May 10 matters
The issue date marked 150 years since the May 10, 1869, Golden Spike Ceremony, when the Central Pacific and Union Pacific rail lines joined at Promontory Summit. The completed route spanned nearly 1,800 miles and reduced a cross-country journey from as long as six months to about one week.
The work depended on more than 20,000 laborers at its peak. USPS specifically notes that Chinese and Irish immigrants made up much of the workforce, alongside German and Italian immigrants, some African Americans, and thousands of Mormon workers in Utah.
Are the stamps still valid?
Yes. Genuine unused examples remain valid for the current one-ounce domestic First-Class Mail letter rate because they are Forever stamps. Extra postage may be needed for heavier, square, rigid, oversized, or international mail.
Collector and listing checks
- Confirm whether the item is a complete pane, loose stamp, first-day cover, or postmarked collectible.
- Look for all three designs when a seller describes a complete issue.
- Do not confuse this pane of 18 with the 2023 Railroad Stations pane of 20.
- Evaluate condition and collectibility separately from postage value.
Compare this issue with other rail subjects in our train and railroad Forever stamps guide.
Official sources
The USPS stamp announcement provides the format and production specifications. The USPS dedication release records the history, artwork, and workforce context.
Official issue information checked September 1, 2026.