Heber Valley Historic Railroad

The Heber Valley Historic Railroad (HVRR) is a heritage railroad based in Heber City, Utah

It operates passenger excursion trains along a line between Heber City and Vivian Park, Utah, which is located in Provo Canyon.

The HVRR carries over 94,000 passengers a year.

Equipment

It has two 1907 Baldwin Consolidation-type locomotives: Ex-Union Pacific No. 618 and Ex-Great Western No. 75. As of the date of this article, No. 75 is currently out of service for boiler rehabilitation.

The HVRR is home for three EMD diesel-electric locomotives: Ex-Union Pacific EMD NW2 No. 1011, Ex-Union Pacific EMD NW2 No. 1043, and Ex-USATC EMD MRS-1 No. 1813

It's also home to a former US Army Davenport 44-ton diesel-electric locomotive No. 1218, which is very similar to a GE 44-ton switcher.

Also on display is former Columbia Steel Company 0-6-0 No. 300 built by Baldwin in the 1920s.

History

The line operated by the HVRR was formerly part of a Denver & Rio Grande Western branch line that connected Heber City to Provo, Utah. The branch line was completed in 1899 and operated freight (and passenger) service until the line's abandonment in 1967.

The line was saved for tourist use and was reopened in 1970 when No. 618 and other equipment was brought up the line from Provo. The track between Provo and Vivian Park was later removed and converted into a recreational trail. During the 1970s and 1980s the railroad operated as the "Heber Creeper". In the late 1980s this railroad went out of business.

Citizens in the Heber area successfully petitioned the State of Utah to help save the railroad, thus creating the Heber Valley Historic Railroad Authority in the early 1990s. Since this time the railroad has seen considerable growth. The railroad operates as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Other information

The railroad's main depot is located in Heber City. Other passenger terminals are located at Soldier Hollow (near Midway, Utah) and Vivian Park in Provo Canyon.

The railroad line is approximately 16 miles long. A typical round trip ride on the train takes about 3 hours. There are a total of four passing sidings outside of the Heber yard limit. Notable landmarks seen from the train include: Mount Timpanogos, Cascade Mountain, Deer Creek Dam and Reservoir, Provo River, Sundance Ski Resort, Tate Barn, and Soldier Hollow. A variety of wildlife including deer, eagles, fox, moose, turkeys, hawks, mountain lions (cougars), and beavers, have all been seen from the train as well.

The railroad operates year-round, and features special event and evening train rides.

The railroad can be seen from various points along U.S. Highway 189 between Heber City and Vivian Park.

July 2007 marks the 100th birthday of the 618 Engine. In March 2008 the 618 will be taken out of service for a major overhaul and restoration. The overhaul and servicing is required to keep up with federal safety standards. The non-profit railroad raised the $750,000 required for the project and the 618 engine will not be retired. The rebuild should give the engine another 30 years of service.

ee also

*List of heritage railroads in the United States
*Wilmington & Western Railroad for pages on boiler rehabilitation

External links

* [http://www.hebervalleyrr.org/ Heber Valley Railroad Home Page]
* [http://www.steamphotos.com/gallery/3357350 Heber Valley Railroad Winter Photo Freight Photos]
* [http://www.ci.heber.ut.us/ Heber City] Official City Site