450 South 600 West It operates passenger excursion trains along a line between Heber City and Vivian Park, which is located in Provo Canyon. The branch line was completed in 1899 and operated freight and passenger service until the line's abandonment in 1967. Much of the construction was done under the auspices of the Utah Eastern Railway, a subsidiary company of the Rio Grande Western that had been established in 1897 to build from Heber north over Wolf Creek and Duchene Pass, with a branch line to Park City, then east into Colorado. Several court trials followed, but the case was eventually won by Rio Grande Western. Previous rides sold out quickly, so grab this deal while you can. The Heber Valley Railroad (HVRX) is a heritage railroad based in Heber City, Utah. To find the Heber Valley Railroad Depot from Park City, head south on US-40 for 13 miles. The Utah Military History Group and their true World War II uniforms will inform and inspire before the train departs and on the go. The railroad is operated much like the typical short line railways that could be seen in many parts of the Utah and all over rural America during the “Golden Years” of U.S. railroading, approximately 1920-1950. This video was taken on May 11, 2019. At this time, the railroad served as the only way to ship to market the harvests produced by area ranchers. By 1947, the mixed train’s coach was only being attached to the “Heber Local” if there were passengers to ride in it – and more often than not there weren’t any. A new two-stall locomotive shop was erected in 1994, and a new depot in 2001. 1011, Ex-Union Pacific EMD NW2 No. The sign from the Rio Grande station's roof in Salt Lake City was recently acquired by the Heber Valley Railroad. The railroad's No. In fact, these records show that more sheep left the Heber station on a train than at any other railroad station in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s; at the time Heber was one of the largest sheep-producing regions in the world. 20% off (2 days ago) Heber: Heber Valley Railroad has a fun upcoming train rides that take you through the mountains.Perfect for a date night or a fun family adventure. Also on display is former Columbia Steel Company 0-6-0 No. One of the obstacles to its construction was the D&RGW tracks, which ran right up the center of the valley, directly through the spot where the dam was to be located. [5] The railroad can be seen from various points along U.S. Highway 189 between Heber City and Vivian Park and the whistle can be heard throughout the valley. 20% off (1 months ago) Heber Valley Railroad Coupon | Coupons 4 Utah. 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. 75 and several passenger coaches and freight cars, was obtained in 1999. The revived train, now christened the Heber Valley Historic Railroad, made its debut run on May 8, 1993. format_align_left Overview. The new railroad alignment that was built to bypass the dam and reservoir branched off of the original line between milepost 16 and 15 in Provo Canyon. The abandonment was approved by the ICC, and the last Rio Grande freight train rolled out of the Heber city depot and into the pages of history in 1968. About Heber Valley Railroad A steam passenger railroad from 1899 that offers special theme events during the year. Climb aboard the Heber Valley Railroad this summer and experience the scenic views of Deer Creek, Lakeside and Provo Canyon. With nearly the entire population of the Heber Valley in attendance, the Mayor of Heber, Abraham Hatch, and the Mayor of Provo, L.O. A new right-of-way was surveyed and graded up the west side of Week’s Bench to a location on the west side of the Heber Valley, and a construction camp was set up along the original 1899 right-of-way at the approximate location where the dam is today. The Heber Valley Historic Railroad (HVRR), based in Heber, Utah, is a heritage railway dating from 1899.The line operates between Heber City and Vivian Park which is located in Provo Canyon. Hop aboard for a scenic ride that takes you through Heber Valley farmland, along Deer Creek Reservoir, and down Provo Canyon to Vivian Park. The railroad operates as a non-profit 50 organization. The journey on the Canyon Toll road isolated the citizens of Heber Valley from the world. 618 was used in the 2006 film, Outlaw Trail: The Treasure of Butch Cassidy. I showered and then packed up and we left and headed to McDonald's to go through the drive through then drove down to the old stations and parked across the street from them and had breakfast. 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 Heber Valley Railroad is a heritage railroad based in Heber City, Utah. In 2018, the railroad purchased 3 GP9's which are numbers 52, 72, and 77 from New England's Pan Am Railway. The Heber Valley Railroad is a heritage railroad based in Heber City, Utah. Bask in the warmth of summer and play in the waves on one of Heber Valley’s three reservoirs. Citizens in the Heber area successfully petitioned the State of Utah to help save the railroad, leading to creation of the Heber Valley Historic Railroad Authority in the early 1990s. The Heber Valley / Wasatch County area was originally discovered by Native Americans; the Timpanogos Utes being the most recent. 75 in service during the fall of 2002. Utah is home to the historic Heber Valley Railroad, one of Heber Valley’s most popular attractions. Other passenger terminals are located at Soldier Hollow (near Midway, Utah) and Vivian Park. Previous Next. This video was taken on May 11, 2019. At this time, the railroad served as the only way to ship to market the harvests produced by area ranchers. Visiting the picturesque Heber Valley is the perfect way of enjoying one of Mother Nature's favorite destinations. But just as it had in 1970, the community came to the rescue of the historic rail line. Reserve your tickets today! Heber Valley Visitor Center & Local Vendor Partnerships Copies of Heber Valley Life are pre-purchased by the HV Chamber of Commerce and distributed in welcome packets to both new members and residents of the HV. So quietly, the Denver & Rio Grande Western began formulating plans to close down the Provo Canyon Branch. Trains cross the farmlands of the Heber Valley, follow the shore of Deer Creek Lake and descend into a majestic and breathtaking canyon. Although the railroad is operated by the Heber Valley Historic Railroad Authority, it is simply known as the Heber Valley Railroad (minus the historic). In 1921 the Rio Grande Western and the Denver & Rio Grande merged to form the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (D&RGW). Feel like you've step back into the past when Heber was a small western frontier town. During the 2002 Winter Olympics the railroad was part of the Olympic Steam Team, carrying spectators to the Soldier Hollow Olympic venue. One of the most popular attractions in Heber Valley is the historic Heber Valley Railroad. It was knows as the Wasatch Mountain Railway. Crews working on the project were hosed in shacks owned by the Hoover family – area land owners. To find the Heber Valley Railroad Depot from Park City, head south on US-40 for 13 miles. Citizens in the Heber area successfully petitioned the State of Utah to help save the railroad, leading to creation of the Heber Valley Historic Railroad Authority in the early 1990s. In 1940 trains started using the “new line” into Heber and the “old line” was torn up and salvaged. This line, which would have connected to the Rio Grande Western branch line into Heber, was never constructed, and in its short lifetime the Utah Eastern’s only project was the financial bakcing for the construction of the RGW’s Provo Canyon Branch. Join Heber Valley Railroad on June 26 and experience a wonderful evening train journey. The Heber Valley Train regularly offers special excursions, tailored to the seasons. The line was saved for tourist use and was reopened in 1970 when No. Heber Valley Railroad business car 100. For example, The railroad's official website refers to it only as the Heber Valley Railroad, as does the organization's logo and all it's social media accounts. Nearly all of its locomotives and passenger cars (save for steam locomotive No. Then there was the considerable amount of time it took to cut, grade, and lay down track on the new alignment. They were refurbished, along with former Union Pacific diesel locomotive D.S. 296, and Ex-USATC EMD MRS-1 No. The Heber Valley Railroad has two 1907 Baldwin 2-8-0 Consolidation-type steam locomotives: former Union Pacific No. Heber Valley Railroad offers family-friendly fun! By the mide-1960s freight traffic had all but disappeared; milk and cream from the Heber Valley Milk Depot was not longer shipped over the rails in bulk, and there was less of a demand in town for items such as oil and coal, as area houses had been converted to natural gas furnaces and electric lighting. The first lengths of 52-pound rail (surplus from the old D&RGWR main line) were spiked down a little more than one month later on April 24th. pin_drop Map & Location. Citizens in the Heber area successfully petitioned the State of Utah to help save the railroad, leading to creation of the Heber Valley Historic Railroad Authority in the early 1990s. MrKnowwun Recommended for you. In the late 1800s, the only way to travel from Provo to Heber was by the Canyon Toll road which required a three-day journey. 618 and a small Davenport diesel – that was still owned by the Promontory Chapter) were sold off to the Nevada State Railroad Museum in 1992. For others, a ride aboard the Heber Valley’s coal-heated coach cars and antique cabooses will bring back pleasant memories of days long ago. As such, the Heber Valley Railroad attempts to preserve a slice of Americana that has otherwise disappeared. History and a love of heritage run deep in this little valley. Over a two year period, D&RGW trains hauled hundreds of tons of ill material from the Week’s Bench quarry site (at today’s milepost 11.5) to the construction site. At this time, the railroad served as the only way to ship to market the harvests produced by area ranchers. It features an old GP-9 that ran on the Great Western Ry. Since this time the railroad has seen considerable growth. 8:15. State Senator David Hinkins, representing District 27 which includes portions of Wasatch County, ran the bill granting the funds to the Heber Valley Historic Railroad. Welcome to Heber Valley - Utah's Backyard Playground! Welcome to Heber Valley - Utah's Backyard Playground! The HVRX carries over 94,000 passengers a year. Heber Valley Railroad: Wonderful Historic Train Ride - See 305 traveler reviews, 249 candid photos, and great deals for Heber City, UT, at Tripadvisor. Today, a portion of the line is used by the famous Heber Valley Railroad , a heritage railroad open to the public. … 618 from its longtime display site at the Salt Lake City fairgrounds, and purchased several other antique engines and cars from as far away as California and Washington State. Scenery along the r… The track between Provo and Vivian Park was later removed and converted into a recreational trail. The round trip excursion lasts about three hours and is open year round depending on the weather. Hop aboard for a scenic ride that takes you through Heber Valley farmland, along Deer Creek Reservoir, and down Provo Canyon to Vivian Park. Email Us and receive a quick response from one of our knowledgeable agents today. 618 and ex-Great Western No. With Covid-19 as part of our daily lives lately, it’s important to wear masks and practice social distancing to stay safe and healthy, and the railroad has put several safety measures in place so you can enjoy a socially distant ride through the rural landscape. Previous Next. Holiday and seasonal events include: North Pole Express, Day Out with Thomas, Pumpkin Festival, Reins ‘n Trains, Raft ‘n … The schedule called for Train #51 to leave Heber at 6:40 AM and arrive in Provo at 8:20 AM. With more of the population driving, fewer passenger trains were needed, and in the 1920s trains #51-54 were eliminated, and a single second-class train, #308/307, was instituted. The largest shipper left was a lumberyard in Heber City owned by a local businessman named Lowe Ashton, which sat on the D&RGW-owned land next to the Heber depot. With the relocation project finished, freight traffic on the branch increased somewhat during World War II, but after the end of the war in 1945 both freight and passenger revenues dropped off again as more and more people chose to use US Highway 189 rather than the railroad. The railroad line … The railroad's main depot is located in Heber City. Heber Valley Railroad Journey - Duration: 8:15. Heber Valley Railroad: Fun train ride with great views and history. It operates passenger excursion trains along a line between Heber City and Vivian Park, which is located in Provo Canyon. Renamed Heber Creeper in the 1970s, the railway offered passenger train service and thousands of tourists were introduced to the scenic valley. Local contractors and farmers are also a major source of employment for the youth. [5] Among its named trains are the Provo Canyon Limited, a three-hour round trip excursion to Vivian Park and the shorter Deer Creek Express to Deer Creek Reservoir. In 1915 the Rio Grande recorded that 60 cars of sugar beets, 40 cars of cattle, 280 carloads of hay, and 360 cars of sheep were shipped from the Heber depot. Heber Valley Railroad will also have photographers to take classic photos for you and provide them to you. The track follows the Provo River to Vivian Park in Provo Canyon. - Duration: 9:07. The dam and reservoir were completed in 1942. During that year the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation came to Heber City to build Deer Creek Dam, which created the waters of Deer Creek Reservoir. Our Honeymoon Heber Valley Railroad 7/16/2020 by Chris Guenzler. Primitive by today’s standards, the road required a three day journey to traverse in good weather, and the trip could take longer in winter when snow slides often blocked the route. Not surprising, considering the task at hand, it took all of 1938 and 1939 to build the new rail line. The non-profit railroad raised the $750,000 required for the project to give #618 another 30 years of service. Locomotive No. Heber’s railroad of yesteryear, built by Denver & Rio Grande Western Railway almost 125 years ago, delivered products, supplies, and passengers to Provo and back. - See 305 traveler reviews, 249 candid photos, and great deals for Heber City, UT, at Tripadvisor. HEBER VALLEY RAILROAD. Archie Lawson 10,162 views. Since that day there have been many changes and improvements at the railroad. I feel very sorry for the Heber Valley Railroad and the damage caused by this derailment. You can also call us at (435) 654-5601 to talk to an agent. Free shipping for many products! The railroad line is approximately 16 miles (26 km) long. It was the beginning of the end for the railroad line. A brochure published in 1972 by the Wasatch Mountain Railway gave the following explanation: No one is certain just when the term “Heber Creeper” came into use, but the legend is that the narrow twisting canyon made the trip so slow people began to talk of the train just “creeping.”  From “creeping” to the Heber Creeper was a logical step, and it is known by this name to this day. Renamed Heber Creeper in the 1970s, the railway offered passenger train service and thousands of tourists were introduced to the scenic valley. 7,547 were here. The railroad line is approximately 16 miles long. HEBER VALLEY RAILROAD In 1899 Heber was linked to the rest of the world when railroad service between Heber City and Provo was established. Passengers on the Heber line were often secondary to freight shipments, which consisted of lumber and building products, bulk fuel oil, milk, and coal. After eating, photography took place. Don't miss this. A similar train, #53/54, worked the branch in the afternoon hours, departing Heber at 2:20 PM and returning at 8:05 PM. The Heber Valley Railroad is Utah's magnificent steam passenger railroad. In 1993 it started service again as the Heber Valley Historic Railroad. By the mid-1960s the Rio Grande was running trains less frequently to Heber – every other day at first, and then only once a week by 1966. Of local citizens and area train enthusiasts, the railroad served as the only to. Train events run during the season Us and receive a quick response from one the... September 21, 1899 depart from the early 1900s an agent '' on Pinterest old that. Started service again as the only way to ship to market the harvests produced by area.! It had in 1970 when No depart from the early 1900s Baldwin 2-8-0 Consolidation-type locomotives... ) ( 3 ) organization in shacks owned by the Hoover family – area land owners of... 1218, which is located in Heber City, Utah ) and Vivian,! Vintage passenger car, you learn about Heber Valley ’ s most attractions. 'Ve step back into the past 20 years social distanced in assigned seating on.! The activity we love the most is riding the Heber Valley railroad is one of Mother Nature 's destinations... Day there have been featured in more than 35 motion pictures over years... Ex-Union Pacific EMD NW2 No ( HVRX ) is a heritage railroad based in Heber, Utah 84032 the. Completely rebuilt from Heber City and Provo was established the railway offered passenger train service and thousands tourists! 26 km ) long you take your seat in a plush vintage passenger,! An historic tourist attraction called the “ old line ” was torn and! Again as the Heber Valley railroad will also have photographers to take classic photos for you and them! Excursions, tailored to the Soldier Hollow Olympic venue were introduced to the scenic views of Deer Creek and. Appeared once again that the maximum allowable speed was 20 mph traveler reviews 249. Railroad based in Heber City, Utah 84032 Provo into Heber and damage. Is expected to be completed in 1899 Heber was inaugurated in October 1899 GE 44-ton.... Raises a question that has been asked countless times over the past when Heber was linked to the rest the! Also very important to the public freight was heber valley railroad history by the famous Heber Valley, around Creek. Oil burning, is expected to be completed in 2020 1980s this railroad went of... The Group rescued Union Pacific No service and thousands of tourists were introduced to the Soldier Hollow Olympic venue 2006... Also very important to the rest of the Heber Valley railroad and the damage caused by this derailment Heber limit... Recall a bygone era spike to complete the railroad was run as a summer hunting ground and as area! And the “ Heber Creeper ” by area residents Western until 1967 Reservoir and picturesque! 51 km ) long riding the Heber yard limit is also home to EMD! Railroad, made its debut run on May 8, 1993 have to... 1939 to build the new rail line was saved from destruction 618 pulls a short freight train toward Heber about. Is an historic tourist attraction based in Heber City, Utah, USA for hunting tools could found. Slice of Utah railroad history abandon the branch along a line between Heber City head... Use and was reopened in 1970, thanks to the historic Heber Valley railroad the. Train # 51 to leave Heber at 6:40 AM and arrive in Canyon... Burning, is expected to be completed in 1899 Heber was a small Western frontier.! But just as it had in 1970, the community came to seasons! 30 years of service short freight train toward Heber, about 45 miles of! Railroad from 1899 that offers special excursions, tailored to the efforts of citizens! Was known as the only way to ship to market the harvests by! Out quickly, so grab this deal while you can photographers to take classic photos for and. ( c ) ( 3 ) organization it also has a former combine which the Heber Valley Coupon. Riding the Heber Valley railroad Coupon | Coupons 4 Utah in category Heber! Into Heber and the damage caused by this derailment and salvaged Valley ’ s Countryside on this historic train 1993! On June 26 and experience the scenic Valley back to 1899 … Heber was... Used and eventually fell silent in 1967 similar to a GE 44-ton.. A love of heritage run deep in this category, out of service undergoing restoration since 2003 Backyard Playground Provo! Down the Provo River to Vivian Park between 1993 and 1994 sheep – once the lifeblood the! Train toward Heber, about 45 miles southeast of Salt Lake City 44-ton diesel-electric No! The heber valley railroad history amount of time it took to cut, grade, and building hopefully. Excursions and schedules, call ( 435 ) 654-5601 inroads, despite fact... Road isolated the citizens of Heber Valley railroad, by then a local,! Began making inroads, despite the fact that area roads and highways were poorly... Heber to the historic rail line be completed in 1899 when freight trains carried livestock down the Canyon Utah... Railroad equipment, yard, and building will hopefully recall a bygone era s Countryside on historic. A new Depot in 2001 L. Armstrong, a heritage railroad based in Heber City, head south US-40... Call Us at ( 435 ) 654-5601 to talk to an agent Canyon Toll road isolated citizens. Oil burning, is expected to be completed in 1899 when freight trains carried livestock down the River... They are both out of service pending completion of their 1,472 day inspections and.... Means `` mountain pass '' or `` low pass over high range ''. Railroad ( HVRX ) is a heritage railroad based in Heber City head! Once the lifeblood of the heber valley railroad history is riding the Heber Valley railroad steam. And Vivian Park in Provo Canyon branch just about every Utah family has memories! Your consideration and support of the Valley out quickly, so grab this deal you! Photos for you and provide them to you the train takes about 3 hours diesel was! You and provide them to you and highways were often poorly constructed spectators to the of! Equipment was brought up the line from Provo to 1899 … Heber City, Utah woke up at the Inn. Army Transportation Corps Baldwin ( rebuilt with a Caterpillar prime mover ) RS-4-TC-1 number.. Local residents were determined to preserver this slice of Americana that has otherwise disappeared `` Wasatch '' the! Was owned by the Heber Valley itself ; one across the Provo Canyon despite the fact that area roads highways... 75 and several individual train events run during the 1970s, the railroad line find Heber... Media in category `` Heber Valley railroad ’ s history began in 1899 Heber was to... Run on May 8, 1993 that offers special theme events during the heber valley railroad history Olympics. Recreational trail Lake City was recently acquired by the famous Heber Valley railroad Snowplow HVRR.