Last updated: 3/20/97

The Denver and Rio Grande completed it's standard gauge extension up Provo Canyon to Heber City in 1899. From then, until abandonment by the Rio Grande in 1967, the tracks served the farming and live stock producers of the Heber Valley.

By 1970, a group of local businessmen and train enthusiasts were able to get the first of several tourist railroads running on what remained of the branch line between Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon, to Heber City. The railroad went by several names in the 70's and 80's, always popularly known as the "Heber Creeper".

By 1990 things had gotten sufficiently bad that it looked like the railroad would be closed for good. In 1992, the citizens of the Heber Valley persuaded the Utah State Legislature to provide them a one time grant and the Heber Valley Railroad Authority was formed.

The trains, powered by both steam and diesel locomotives, are once again running between Heber City, and Vivian Park in the Provo Canyon.

Former Union Pacific Consolidation #618 was built by Baldwin in 1907 for a UP subsidiary, The Oregon Short Line. The locomotive remained in service until 1958, when it was donated to the state of Utah and placed on display at the State Fairgrounds. It remained there until 1970 when it was moved to Heber City and restored to operation.

The Heber Valley RR has some other interesting equipment and cars, including the first all steel caboose purchased by the UP in 1942.

Heber City is 44 miles SE of Salt Lake City, and 28 miles NE of Provo on US Highway 40. The two day trips are about 3 1/2 hours for the round trip.

I highly recommend getting a hold of one of their brochures which contain a very informative schedule of steam, diesel trains, and specials.

Heber Valley Historic
Railroad Authority
460 South 600 West
P.O. Box 609
Heber City, UT 84032

Salt Lake City: (801)581-9980
Heber City: (801)654-5601

Here are a couple of the photos I took when I visited in July, '96.

The 2-8-0 consolidation at Vivian Park (768x512 104K jpg)

Backing onto the "main" at Heber City (768x512 87K jpg)