What tools were used to build transcontinental railroad?

The main tools used to build the transcontinental railroad included picks, shovels, hammers, drills, blasting powder for tunnels, wheelbarrows, and grading equipment. Hand tools such as sledgehammers and grading picks were essential for breaking through rock and soil while heavier equipment like steam-powered shovels helped move earth and lay track more efficiently. Additionally, workers used dynamite for excavation work and constructed temporary camps to house the labor force along the route.