Newspaper Items
Dates, 1895 to 1899
This page was last updated on March 21, 2004
1 January 1895
Park City mines -- the Crescent -- has not resumed work since it gave up in
mid-1893. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 1 January 1895)
1 January 1895
RGW -- new carpenter's shop at SLC, 60 x 290 feet; and a new hotel at Thistle,
at cost of $3,000.00 (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 1 January 1895)
1 January 1895
Salt Lake & Los Angeles -- has so far been using the RGW depot, but is
threatening to build it's own this year. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1895)
1 January 1895
Camp Floyd area--Mercur Railroad is almost completed; Col. C. P. Moore began
the survey in July of 1894; the Mercur Gold Mining Co's mill is located about
mid-point of the line, as also the railroad's boarding house, station,
enginehouse, and the like are located halfway between Fairfield and Mercur, as
is the Mercur Gold Mining Co.'s mill. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1895)
1 January 1895
Great Salt Lake & Hot Springs -- has 14 miles of railroad, three of which
were built in 1894. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 1 January 1895)
1 January 1895
San Pete Valley -- 25 miles of track laid in 1893 and 1894, most of it,
according to the paper, on standard gauge ties; S. T. Pearson is now the
secretary, etc., to replace R. L. Scannell, who died in London in October 1894.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1895)
1 January 1895
Utah Central -- the $100,000.00 in receiver's certificates were all spent by September of 1894:
Old claims, and equipment … $51,000.00
Betterments, Roadway … 15,000.00
Betterments, B & B … 8,000.00
Betterments, rolling stock … 14,000.00
Contingent expenses … 12 000.00
Total … 100,000.00
During the year 1894, the U. C. put in 16,500 narrow gauge ties, and 3,500 standard gauge ties; 21 bridges were rebuilt; four passenger coaches were rebuilt/remodeled; 19 gondola cars were rebuilt to a greater capacity; 10 new box cars were built. The locomotive shops overhauled six engines, and virtually rebuilt one. The company owns 56.5 miles of track but only about 32 of them are operated at present; there are 7-1/2 miles of track laid east of Park City, not operated, and 17 miles of completed grade beyond that. T. J. Mackintosh resigned 16 August, and was replaced by I. H. Burgoon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1895)
4 January 1895
The new snow plow recently built by the RGW in the SLC shops has been mounted
on an engine, and the same sent to Thistle, yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 January 1895)
12 January 1895
The $100,000 in Utah Central receiver's certificates will fall due on the 12th
of February, and the paper says that the road will be foreclosed upon if they
are not redeemed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 12 January 1895)
17 January 1895
Weber station, on U. P. mainline east of Ogden, has been renamed to Morgan. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 January 1895)
19 January 1895
"The Mercur Railway." "Last Rail will be Laid This
Afternoon." (extract.) "On Thursday morning one of the engines of the
little system pulled a train of cars up to the switch near the Ruby and the
engineer saluted the camp with a succession of blasts from his whistle."
Thursday was the 17th of January, 1895. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 19 January 1895)
19 January 1895
Last spike on the Mercur railroad was driven yesterday afternoon; ore will now
be moved at 25¢ per ton, as opposed to the 80¢ per ton that the wagon haulage
had cost. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 19 January 1895)
22 January 1895
"Mercur Mill now Operating." "Delivery of Ore Commenced on
Sunday Afternoon." (extract) "At an average cost of about $10,000 per
mile, the twelve miles of track which comprise the system of the Mercur &
Salt Lake railroad, were completed on Saturday afternoon and the ballasting was
finished the following day." Saturday was 19 January, and Sunday was 20 January, 1895. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Herald, 22 January 1895)
26 January 1895
An item lifted from the Mercur 'Mercury' -- the SL&M is at last finished,
and regular trains running; the engine has some trouble getting two loaded cars
around some of the curves on the 4 percent grade, but a new and more powerful
engine is to be gotten. It appears that the first 'official' run had been on
the 21st, with two cars of ore for the mill at Manning. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 January 1895)
27 January 1895
The RGW branch from Thistle to Salina is still laid with the old and light
'narrow gauge' iron, and being operated with the old narrow gauge engines now
widened. As these engines are wearing out, and the RGW has an offer on the
rails, it is likely that it will soon be relaid with rails that will hold the
regular standard gauge engines. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 January 1895)
1 February 1895
"Utah Central Report", to the court, from 27 November 1893, when the
receivers were appointed, to 31 December 1894 (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 February 1895):
| Earnings | Passenger | $21,993.10 | |
| Freight | 25,828.69 | ||
| Express and Mail | 3,926.09 | ||
| Special tickets, etc | 95.65 | ||
| (subtotal) | 51,843.53 | ||
| Receipts from drafts | 22,143.80 | ||
| Rebates, etcetera | 886.65 | ||
| Advance charges | 8,676.55 | ||
| Receiver's Certificates | 100,000.00 | ||
| Old account, U. C. | 3,687.82 | ||
| Tax refund, etcetera | 401.67 | ||
| 135,896.49 | |||
| $187,740,02 | |||
| Expenses | Payroll | $57,857-83 | |
| Vouchers | 45,847.38 | ||
| U.C., old accounts | 17,983.38 | ||
| Betterments | 5,475.78 | ||
| Equipments | 23,358.69 | ||
| Shop machinery | 1,624.78 | ||
| Car trust material | 2,765.84 | ||
| Cash to meet drafts | 22,143.80 | ||
| Rebates | 258.84 | ||
| Refunded | 20.70 | ||
| Draw-back checks | 140.00 | ||
| Advance charges | 8,676.55 | ||
| Suspense account | 24.50 | ||
| James McGregor, receiver | 600.00 | ||
| Cash on hand, 31 Dee 94 | 961.95 | ||
| 187,740.02 | |||
| $187,740.02 |
5 February 1895
Stringham & Stringham, Manti photographers, have put out an 1895 calendar,
illustrated with 'numerous' views of the San Pete Valley railroad, and some of
the Sterling coal mine operation (which, as I recall, the San Pete Valley
operated themselves.) (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 5 February 1895)
13 February 1895
"Utah Central in Default", as the receiver's certificates fell due
yesterday and were not redeemed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 February 1895)
17 February 1895
The Utah Central receivers to pay interest of $7,000 on the certificates, for
now, and this will avert foreclosure proceedings. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 February 1895)
27 February 1895
The interest amount mentioned above has NOT been paid as yet, and it is likely
that the road will be sold. The Utah Central is saddled with all of the bonds
of its predecessor companies: $1,200,000 of the Salt Lake & Eastern;
$500,000 of the Salt Lake-& Fort Douglas; $600,000 of the yet-unbuilt Utah
Western; and $220,000 of the Utah Central itself. The paper notes 'a singular
circumstance' in the affairs of the U. C. in the disappearance of some of the
original account books and other records, and that such books as are available
have been kept in a very peculiar manner; the task of unraveling the company's
financial history is "an almost hopeless one." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 February 1895)
1 March 1895
"Utah Central Receivership" - Special Master George D. Loomis filed
his report with the court yesterday; The receivers have paid out the sum of
$51,963.43 for debts incurred before their appointment, for which expenditures
Loomis has found vouchers for all except $6,753.00, which was for a locomotive,
and the Receivers have sent back East for copies of the missing papers in that
regard. The only one of the receiver's certificates so far redeemed is #733,
for $1,624.78, which is held by Joseph Richardson. James McGregor, one of the
receivers, has on occasion used some of his own money to pay taxes and the
like. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune,
1 March 1895)
3 March 1895
J. H. Bennett, on RGW, has chosen to resign, rather than work under the new
Traffic Manager, Babcock, who was once a flunkie under Bennett. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 March
1895)
6 March 1895
RGW car 'A' is undergoing a thorough overhaul. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 March 1895)
10 March 1895
Superintendent Burgoon has kept the Utah Central open all winter, with no days
lost on account of snow blockade -- never before done in U. C. history. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 March
1895)
16 March 1895
The Salt Lake & Mercur is moving an average of 170 tons of ore per day,
plus the other business. Mr. Jacobs informs the 'Mercury' that the company has
purchased a passenger coach, and is negotiating for another and larger engine.
The road is already making more than the expenses. Tuesday, 12th, was payday
for the 11 men on the roll. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 March 1895)
20 March 1895
Daniel and Holdaway, grading contractors on the Salt Lake & Mercur, have
filed a mechanic's lien against the road for $44,000; President Dern, of Mercur
Mining & Milling Co., agrees that there is a balance due to D & H, but
as the final estimates and such have not been completed as yet, he is quite
surprised by D & H have taken action against the railroad. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 March
1895)
23 March 1895
"Territorial News" "The Mercur railroad has been averaging 170
tons of ore a day, besides attending to the freight and coal business. Manager
Jacobs informs us that the company has purchased a passenger coach and is
negotiating for another and larger engine. The line is already making more than
operating expenses. - Mercur Mercury." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 23 March 1895)
23 March 1895
"The Utah Central company has a strong force of men at work in its shops
at Salt Lake building new ore cars for service between Park City and Salt Lake,
and one completed car is being turned out every other day. The cars are to be
used only in the transportation of ore and are something new and convenient in
that line." (Pitchard, Park Record,
Park City, 23 March 1895)
26 March 1895
U. P. engines 1027 and 1028, ten-wheelers, in the shops for repair; engines
1400 and 1416 likely to be used on line to Eureka. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 March 1895)
30 March 1895
"The Mercer railroad has been mortgaged to the Mercur Mining Company for
$44,000. The mortgage is in the shape of a mechanic's lien." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 30 March
1895)
30 March 1895
U. P. engine 1740 received here yesterday, another ten wheeler, and also slated
for use on the line to Eureka. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 March 1895)
13 April 1895
Some time ago L. C. Trent & Co, of Salt Lake City, agent for Lima
Locomotive Works, received an order from the Salt Lake & Mercur for another
Shay, and Trent arranged for it at once with Lima -- info received yesterday is
to the effect that the loco is to be shipped during the coming week. The
present engine weighs 20 tons; the new one, 28 tons. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 April 1895)
16 April 1895
"Utah Central Affairs." "Three Months Ending March 31 Shows a
Profit." "The report of James McGregor and Clarence Cary, receivers
of the Utah Central Railway company, for the three months ending March 31 was
yesterday filed with Special Master George D. Loomis. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Herald, 16 April 1895)
"The report shows as follows:
| Earnings | |
| Passenger | $ 4,799.55 |
| Freight6 | 6,122.2 |
| Express for Nov., Dec., Jan. & Feb. | 1,058.61 |
| Mail, Oct., Nov. & Dec. | 382.12 |
| Advance Charges | 1,699.86 |
| Receipts from Bills Collectible | 513.91 |
| Cash Received from Old Accounts | 61.00 |
| Conducting Transportation | 3.30 |
| Cash on hand, January 1, 1895 | 961.95 |
| Total Credit | $15,602.56 |
| Disbursements | |
| Pay Rolls | 8,065.12 |
| Materials and Supplies | 4,512.48 |
| Advance Charges pd by R.G.W. Ry. Co. | 1,688.06 |
| Drawback Checks redeemed | 18.00 |
| Pay Rolls, old U. C. account | 60.20 |
| Cash on hand and Bills Receivable, March 31, 1895 | 1,258.70 |
| $15,602.56 | |
| Amount of Receipts over Expenses | 532.50 |
| Amount still outstanding on old account | 2,173.62 |
25 April 1895
"Utah Central Foreclosure" -- J. E. Bamberger and H. G. McMillan hold
$24,313.27 in the Utah Central receiver's certificates, and will file for
foreclosure to get their money. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 April 1895)
27 April 1895
"The Utah Central is now receiving a fair share of the ore shipments and
several cars per day are being hauled to the Salt Lake smelters. The new cars
recently constructed for that class of freight are giving splendid satisfaction
and are much handier for a short run than the box cars heretofore used for that
purpose. The little road should enjoy a profitable summer." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 27 April
1895)
30 April 1895
Utah Central foreclosure suit referred to was filed yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 April
1895)
9 May 1895
The Salt Lake & Mercur is about to receive another engine. They have
already a passenger car (a combine), but need another engine before they can
run a regular passenger train, as the present engine has all it can do to move
the ore trains and freight business. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 May 1895)
11 May 1895
"The Mercer railroad expects to get opened for passenger service sometime
next week. The new coach has arrived and the new engine is expected every
day." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park
City, 11 May 1895)
18 May 1895
The Mercur 'Mercury' says that on Wednesday the 15th the S.L.& M. got their
new and heavier engine, which will now handle the ore and freight traffic,
while the older and lighter engine will be repaired and refurbished to handle
the passenger job and other light work. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 May 1895)
7 June 1895
The Salt Lake & Mercur began running a passenger train on Tuesday, the 4th.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 June 1895)
15 June 1895
"Passenger service on the Salt Lake & Mercur railroad has been
inaugurated and the little road promises to be an entire success." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 15 June
1895)
3 July 1895
"To Lease the Utah Central." Chief Justice Merritt yesterday signed
an order authorizing McGregor and Cary, as receivers of the Utah Central, to
lease to Henry Wagener that part of the Salt Lake & Fort Douglas railroad
between Fort Douglas and his brewery. Wagener is to report on the 10th of every
month the number of passengers carried, and to pay to the U. C. Rwy. 8 &
1/3 cents per passenger. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Herald, 3 July 1895)
1 August 1895
An item on some of the old locomotives of the former Utah Central standard gauge
(now OSL&UN), which engines are going to the rear of the roundhouse in a
state of decay. Says that the 436 and 437, formerly 8 and 10 on the old U. C.,
have been replaced by modern power. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 August 1895)
10 August 1895
The Union Pacific has abolished the office of Master Mechanic at Salt Lake
City, and transferred it to Pocatello. (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 10 August 1895)
4 September 1895
The RGW has just completed a new depot at Lehi. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 September 1895)
4 September 1895
The U. P. is now lettering freight engines with aluminum leaf; the passenger
engines remain in gold leaf. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 September 1895)
7 September 1895
"While making a flying switch yesterday morning at the Park City Ice
company's siding, near Kimball's ranch, the Utah Central passenger engine left
the track and turned upside down, and the passengers and mail had to be brought
to the Park by team. No person was injured, although it was a close call for
the engineer and fireman. The track was cleared and the regular afternoon train
left here about an hour late." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 7 September 1895)
10 September 1895
The Salt Lake & Ft. Douglas is not operating trains to the fort, or on any
of its lines up that way. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 10 September 1895)
20 September 1895
Bamberger has just returned from a trip to the East -- he bought six closed
coaches for his Great Salt Lake & Hot Springs in Kansas City, which are to
be here and in service by conference time. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 September 1895)
21 September 1895
"Preparations are being made by the Utah Central to build an engine house
on the summit and station a locomotive there during the winter months to
facilitate the handling of trains and reduce the chances of snow
blockades." (Pitchard, Park Record,
Park City, 21 September 1895)
22 September 1895
"New Engine for the Utah Central." "The Receivers of the Utah
Central Railway Company were yesterday authorized by the court to purchase and
pay for one engine manufactured by Burnham, Williams & Co. of the Baldwin
Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, Pa., for $6,850. One-fourth of the amount to be
paid in cash and the balance in eighteen monthly installments. The receivers
say the increased business of the road makes the purchase necessary." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 22 September 1895)
28 September 1895
"About 80 tons per day are being handled [from the Crescent mine and mill,
via the tramway] and shipped to Salt Lake over the Utah Central."
"The Utah Central is doing a thriving business these days, its freight
traffic having increased to such an extent that it has become necessary to
order a new heavy freight engine, which will be furnished by the Baldwin
Locomotive works, and which is expected to soon arrive." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 28 September 1895)
30 September 1895
"It looks like old times to see the ore trains coming down the Crescent
tramway and to hear the whistle of the mill. About 80 tons per day are being
handled and shipped to Salt Lake over the Utah Central." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 September 1895)
1 October 1895
"The Union Pacific sends down another narrow gauge passenger coach on No.
1 this morning for use on the conference specials an the San Pete Valley, which
start today." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 1 October 1895)
1 October 1895
"The Union Pacific sends down another narrow gauge passenger coach on No.
1 this morning for use on the conference specials an the San Pete Valley, which
start today." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 1 October 1895)
1 October 1895
"Work on the extension of the Salt Lake & Mercur railway, to carry the
terminus around to and beyond the Mattie group, commenced Tuesday [October 1,
1895]. Manager Jacobs has ordered the ties, of which there are 4,000, from San
Pete, and has closed his order with the Colorado Coal & Iron Co. for forty
tons of forty-pound steel rails, enough to lay 3,360 feet of track. Mr. Jacobs
is in reality ordering more than is necessary to take the line to the Mattie,
but explains that the Mattie is not even the proposed terminus, and he doesn't
know where the extension will end. - Salt Lake Tribune." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 5 October
1895)
5 October 1895
The U. P. is building a depot at Fairfield, because of the Salt Lake &
Mercur. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 5 October 1895)
5 October 1895
The U. P. is building a depot at Fairfield, because of the Salt Lake &
Mercur. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 5 October 1895)
6 October 1895
Owing to the traffic arising from the Salt Lake & Mercur, the Union Pacific
is building a depot at the junction, Fairfield station. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 October 1895)
9 October 1895
As of the 9th, the Utah Central agent at Park City, A. H. Ahlefeld, also became
the Park City ticket agent for the Rio Grande Western, and tickets now
available via UC & RGW to anywhere in the country. (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 12 October 1895)
20 October 1895
"Report of the Receivers." For the Three Months ending 30 September,
this report is much the same as the foregoing ones; but under the head of
Disbursements, is this: "Part Payment of New Locomotive 1,712.50"
(This is in complete agreement with the item of 22 September, above, as the
$1,712.50 is one-fourth of the $6,850 price of the locomotive, per the
contract.) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Herald, 20 October 1895)
26 October 1895
"A railroad is being built from Coalville to the Grass Creek coal mines.
It will be standard gauge and six miles long and connect with the Union
Pacific." (Pitchard, Park Record,
Park City, 26 October 1895)
12 November 1895
"One of the biggest and best narrow-gauge locomotives ever built will
arrive in Salt Lake today over the Rio Grande Western railway, for the Utah
Central railway. The engine will be a mate in dimensions for the present engine
No.3 on that line, and is from the Baldwin Locomotive Works. The dimensions
are: Cylinders, 16 x 20 inches; driving wheels, 37 inches, outside diameter.
She will be of the consolidated or 'hog' type, and while of the same general
dimensions as the No. 3, will have all the latest improvements for locomotives.
Her total weight will be sixty-three tons." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 12 November 1895)
14 November 1895
"The big consolidation engine for the Utah Central railway referred to in
these columns on Tuesday was received from the Baldwin Locomotive Works over
the Rio Grande Western yesterday and was moved over to the Utah Central
shops." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 14 November 1895)
16 November 1895
"The new locomotive ordered by the Utah Central arrived in Salt lake this
week from the Baldwin works and is now being put in shape at the shops. When in
running order it will take the place of engine No. 3, and the latter will be
stationed on the summit to handle the snow plow this winter, a good substantial
engine house having been erected there for its accommodation. Thus equipped the
little road will be in good trim to buck-snow this winter and keep the road
open. Business with the Utah Central is picking up rapidly,…" (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 16 November 1895)
17 November 1895
"The new Utah Central engine will make a trial run to Park City today. A
special car will carry a party of officials and friends." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 November 1895)
18 November 1895
Item about Utah Central, "Engine's Trial Trip", says very little
useful and uses three column inches to do it! Number not given yet. The
officials that went on the trip were: J. McGregor; I. H. Burgoon; chief clerk
F. E. Shafer; Master Mechanic J. J. Bywater. The 'friends' were C. L. Haines
and three others not named. Engineer was Arthur Edson; left SLC at 9:00am, made
many stops en route, arrived in Park City at 12:30pm; the return trip was made
in two hours. The engine "…is one of the largest narrow gauge
locomotives now manufactured,…". (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 November 1895)
19 November 1895
"The new Utah Central engine No. 1 began its regular trips to Park City
yesterday with the passenger train. With this powerful locomotive there is no
delay and no failures to make time." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 November 1895)
23 November 1895
"The passenger train on the Utah Central was brought up Monday morning for
the first time by the new engine. The machine was in charge of an engineer sent
from the works and walked up the heavy grade without a hitch or jar. It is a
fine machine and will do most excellent service." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 23 November 1895)
30 November 1895
The new Utah Central engine can take six cars up the hill "as easy as can
be". (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 30 November 1895)
17 December 1895
A new engine and several coaches to be ordered for the Salt Lake & Mercur
road; two miles of iron has been relaid with 40 pound steel on the Mercur end
of the line. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 17 December 1895)
17 December 1895
A new rotary went west over the U. P. on the 15th, one built by Cooke. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 December 1895)
28 December 1895
"Engine No. 3 of the Utah Central got off the rails near the depot Tuesday
night and though the crew labored constantly and hard the machine could not be
gotten back until pulled on by the engine of the morning passenger train. No
damage was done." (Pitchard, Park
Record, Park City, 28 December 1895)
1 January 1896
In Park City, the Crescent is still shut down, but the tramway is still in
existence. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 1 January 1896)
1 January 1896
The Salt Lake & Mercur has two engines of the Shay pattern, eight ore cars,
and one combination passenger car; and recently ordered another engine. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1896)
28 January 1896
The buildings and such at Lake Park, now defunct, are to be removed to
Bamberger's new resort, and a short extension of the Great Salt Lake & Hot
Springs railroad will be built to it. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 28 January 1896)
7 March 1896
The Salt Lake & Mercur's two engines weigh 22 and 28 tons. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 March
1896)
12 April 1896
The RGW is building a new freight depot on the southwest corner of 2nd South
and 4th West (now 5th West). (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 12 April 1896)
1 May 1896
"The Salt Lake & Mercur road will have its new Shay engine in a few
days." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 1 May 1896)
10 May 1896
Jacobs says that the new engine was shipped from Lima on the 5th, and should be
here by the 16th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 10 May 1896)
19 May 1896
"The new Shay engine recently purchased by the Salt Lake & Mercur
railroad company is now en route from the East and will soon be doing service
on the little road." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Herald, 19 May 1896)
21 May 1896
Rio Grande Western track crossed the town line into Richfield on 20th of May,
1896, at 4:20 p.m. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 21 May 1896)
22 May 1896
The R. G. W. will begin regular passenger train schedule to Richfield on June
1st, and will run a special excursion to that place on the 2nd. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 May
1896)
22 May 1896
I. H. Burgoon leaves the Utah Central for the Ohio Southern. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 May 1896)
24 May 1896
New East Tintic filed incorporation papers yesterday; its Shay will be received
next week. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 24 May 1896)
24 May 1896
Replacement for I. H. Burgoon not named yet. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 May 1896)
30 May 1896
The receivers of the Utah Central, owing to I. H. Burgoon's resignation,
announce the following appointments, effective June 1st: F. E. Schafer, as
Auditor and General Freight Agent; J. V. Hampton, as Master of Transportation,
with duties of the general superintendent, as the office of general
superintendent is abolished. (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 30 may 1896)
13 June 1896
"The Crescent tramway is again opened and ore is being brought down, but
not for the company. The rock now in transit belongs to Owen Greenan…"
"The cars, are taken up by horsepower as the engine could not be used
without expensive repairs being made on the track." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 13 June 1896)
2 July 1896
"Sanpete Engines Arrive" "Nephi, Utah, July 1.-- This
afternoon's freight brought in two new engines for the Sanpete Valley road from
the Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia. They are eight- wheelers, monsters,
and will do the work. A machinist from the Baldwin shops came through with them,
and will remain here to set the engines up. A big crowd came down to see their
arrival." The locomotives were standard gauge. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 July 1896)
3 July 1896
The two new standard gauge engines were shipped from Baldwin on 18 June 1896;
and this paper says that they arrived in Nephi yesterday. (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 3 July 1896)
7 July 1896
Widening of the San Pete Valley to begin today and be done by Thursday night,
the 9th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 7 July 1896)
8 July 1896
"The new Shay engine for the Salt Lake & Mercur road has arrived, and
with it in operation the company will be enabled to handle some heavy loads
over the steep grades of the road."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 July 1896)
10 July 1896
"Now a Broad-Gauge" is the San Pete Valley, the widening between
Nephi and Manti being completed yesterday. Crews are now at work lining and
straightening that section, reballasting, etc., and then will widen that part
of the road from Manti to Morrison, which remains narrow gauge at the moment.
The two new engines, consolidations, work quite well and are 'highly
satisfactory.' (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 10 July 1896)
18 July 1896
The usual report of the Utah Central, for the three months ended on 30 June
1896; nothing in it out of the ordinary. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 18 July 1896)
22 July 1896
The San Pete Valley is aligning and ballasting its new standard gauge track,
and they have just received a bunch of new standard gauge boxcars. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 July
1896)
1 August 1896
The San Pete Valley depot at Manti broken into and robbed of $125.00 sometime
on the night of July 30th or morning of 31st. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 August 1896)
17 September 1896
The New East Tintic railway is in operation for some 2 & 1/2 miles, and the
alignment of the road includes 61% grades and 30° curves. The road apparently
began operating just this past week.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 September 1896)
27 October 1896
The Great Salt Lake & Hot Springs Railway was sold yesterday, in
foreclosure proceedings, to Salt Lake & Ogden RR, for $70,000.00. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 October 1896)
7 November 1896
The Salt Lake City Council has had a resolution submitted for it to consider,
to the effect that the Salt Lake & Fort Douglas railroad be ordered either
to comply with the-terms of its franchise, or tear up its tracks from the wye
at 8th South & 10th East up to the Fort, and the branches to Red Butte and
Emigration canyons. The submitted resolution lacked the requisite number of
signatures, so it was not considered by the Council. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 November 1896)
14 November 1896
"A force of men are now at work shoveling out the Crescent tramway, and if
it can be opened some 150 tons of ore belonging to the company and to M. L.
Houston will be brought dawn and shipped." Mine and tramway otherwise
idle. (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City,
14 November 1896)
28 November 1896
Efforts to open the Crescent tramway have been abandoned. (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 28 November 1896)
28 November 1896
Minor derailment of Utah Central passenger train this morning near Salt Lake
City. (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City,
28 November 1896)
6 December 1896
In the Court Notes -- Martha Ann Coombs vs. the Salt Lake & Fort Douglas
Railway Co., et al., motion for order to compel the receiver to tear out tracks
granted. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 6 December 1896)
1 January 1897
New East Tintic built initial 2-1/2 miles of railroad. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1897)
1 January 1897
Salt Lake & Mercur added about 1-1/2 miles of track, 'around almost into
the town of Mercur', and they added a locomotive, costing $6,000; and a coach,
costing $1,000. The depot, at Mercur, moved and added onto. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1897)
1 January 1897
San Pete Valley widened itself, and got new equipment, leaving two narrow gauge
roads in Utah, the Utah Central and the Utah & Nevada line of the
OSL&UN. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 1 January 1897)
1 January 1897
There was a Utah & Pacific incorporated in March 1896. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1897)
15 January 1897
Utah Central receiver's report for the last quarter of 1896; receipts were
$31,221.87. Disbursements amounted to $23,825.10; cash on hand as of 31 December 1896 was $7,290.60; cash on hand and uncollected bills, at Salt Lake
station were $83.02; the same for Park City, $23.15. The last four figures add
up to $31,221.87. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 15 January 1897)
15 January 1897
Another of the reports, for three months ended 31 December 1896. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 15 January 1897)
1 February 1897
The Beehive House has been sold to John Beck, mining bigwig; when John W. Young
bought the house in 1888, from Lucy Decker Young, he paid her, some $35,000.00;
it cost Beck nearly twice that sum. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 February 1897)
3 February 1897
The Utah Central has just built a new box car at the Sugar House shops. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 February 1897)
27 February 1897
"To Sell Utah Central", application for foreclosure to be made soon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 February 1897)
28 February 1897
Hearings on the Utah Central foreclosure sale began yesterday; will end
tomorrow; and officer will be appointed to arrange the sale; (Geo. D. Loomis
was the one appointed, per later paper). (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 February 1897)
3 March 1897
"Activity in the Shops" of the Oregon Short Line - first car
relettered for the about-to-be-independent O.S.L. was Idaho Division business
car 030, which came out of Pocatello as OSL car 03; this and cars 021 & 022
are only business cars to be transferred to the new O.S.L. In the cars shops at
present are two baggage, one coach and one caboose cars, while several
locomotives are being overhauled in the machine shops. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 March 1897)
4 March 1897
An order to sell has been entered in the Utah Central receivership case, the
final, details of which are yet to be arranged. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 March 1897)
16 March 1897
The OSL&UN, of the U.P., was transferred to the new O.S.L. company last
night, at midnight; official end of OSL&UN. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 March 1897)
16 March 1897
"At the Salt Lake narrow gauge shops a number of old friends from the
Oregon Short Line locomotives are being repaired and overhauled, to be; ready
for the summer traffic. They are the 21 and 11 of the Utah and Nevada, and the
91, the last of the Utah & Northern big narrow gauge boys. After they come
out of the shops they will be 1, 2 and 3, respectively, and lettered 'Oregon
Short Line', which is the title chosen for cars and engines. One of the best
engines lying at the Jordan spur will also be rebuilt for the Garfield run. The
old Kansas Central engines have been sent back East." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 March 1897)
16 March 1897
OSL business cars 014 and 022 are out of the paint shop. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 March 1897)
17 March 1897
"Mr. Dunn [J. F. Dunn, Superintendent of Motive Power & Machinery,
Oregon Short Line] has decided upon the renumbering of the locomotives by
classes. The former Union Pacific 500 class will now be changed to 200; the 700
to 300; the 900 and 1000 classes to 400; the 800 to 500; and the 1400 to
600." "Those of the Union Pacific 400 class are on the Shoshone
sidetracks and will not be repaired. In this class are the 437 and 436, many
years ago the 10 and 11 of the Utah Central…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 March 1897)
19 March 1897
"Short Line Improvements during the Past Year." (extracts.) Notes on
The Equipment of the Road: "The equipment of the Short Line has not
materially varied during the past year. At the beginning of 1896 the equipment
of the Short Line & Utah Northern road was as follows:
| Std. Gauge | Narrow Gauge | |
| Passenger cars | 77 | 34 |
| Freight cars | 4,206 | 527 |
| Roadway cars | 33 | 8 |
| All classes of cars | 4,316 | 569 |
| Locomotives | 122 | 3 |
"All of the equipment has been turned over in good shape to the purchasers of the Short Line." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 19 March 1897)
19 March 1897
The Oregon Short Line is painting its passenger cars in 'a dark Van Dyke
brown'. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 19 March 1897)
19 March 1897
"Utah Central Sale" to be 17 April 1897, of the U.C., its branches
and the Salt Lake & Ft. Douglas and Salt Lake & Eastern. The sale will
be conducted by Special Master in Chancery Geo. D. Loomis. No bid will be
accepted for less than the amount required to pay the liens and expenses that
are judged to be superior to the claims of the bondholders - these amounts the
court has set as follows: for the S.L.& Ft. D., $22,500; for the S.L.&
E., $117,000; and for the Utah Central, $21,500. These amounts the purchaser
will have to pay in cash. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 19 March 1897)
19 March 1897
Master Mechanic Bywater of the Utah Central is putting Hurst automatic air
equipment on 18 box cars at present. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 March 1897)
20 March 1897
"All the old passenger cars and engines on the Utah Central are being
overhauled and repaired in the shops at Sugar House, which have been kept busy
all winter." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 20 March 1897)
23 March 1897
Item reports that E. E. Calvin drove the first spike on the old O.S.L. at
Granger on 11 July 1881, and that this bit is in a letter from Granger
published in the Salt Lake Tribune of 12 July 1881. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 March 1897)
26 March 1897
The O.S.L. has completed a new station building recently at Nephi. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 March 1897)
28 March 1897
San Pete Valley's H. S. Kerr's first name is Halbert (I wouldn't use it much,
either!). (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 28 March 1897)
28 March 1897
The Utah Central has been notified that it "Must Tear up Tracks"
where the franchise has been forfeited, which in this case is the Salt Lake and
Fort Douglas tracks not used in line to Park City. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 March 1897)
30 March 1897
"Removing Fort Douglas Tracks" yesterday at 13th East and 1st South,
about 75 feet removed, by Deputy street supervisor Clark and crew. Clark says
he will have all crossings out soon, if he is not first arrested for contempt
of court, as the receiver has promised to do. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 March 1897)
31 March 1897
"Accused of Contempt." "Tearing up of Fort Douglas Track
Stopped." "Judge Hiles issues a Writ." "The removal of the
Salt Lake & Fort Douglas railway tracks by the Street Department was
brought to an abrupt termination yesterday." The railroad is under the
protection of the court, and not to be tampered with; Clark, et al., must show
cause as to why they should not be cited for contempt, at a hearing scheduled
for the 3rd next. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 31 March 1897)
31 March 1897
"Tearing Up the Rails" of the Utah Central, Fort Douglas branch, by
city workers. The company has "ceased for years" to run trains over
this track. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Herald, 31 March 1897)
1 April 1897
The first locomotive repainted and renumbered by the OSL is old 734, now 308. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 April
1897)
3 April 1897
O.S.L. coach #110 came out of the shops yesterday, painted in the Van Dyke
brown color, with Roman lettering and numbers in gold leaf. Coach #121, having
received the same treatment, comes out of the shop today. #110's first use was
on the train to Juab. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 3 April 1897)
3 April 1897
"Park Float" in item on reduced fares (as usual) for conference, over
the Utah Central, it is noted that "The company has added to its service
two coaches with new reversible seats,…" (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 3 April 1897)
7 April 1897
There is likely to be a delay in the sale of the Utah Central; two of the
parties, Central Trust and Knickerbocker Trust, have asked for the delay,
reason not given. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 7 April 1897)
8 April 1897
"All of the excursion cars of the K.C. initial used for years on the
Garfield Beach run, have been returned to the Union Pacific, and the only cars
left the beach branch are the five narrow-gauge coaches of the 140 series. If
the lake traffic is to be inaugurated the Oregon Short Line will have to order
a number of new cars." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 April 1897)
11 April 1897
Deputy Street Supervisor Clark, and crew, were in court yesterday to show cause
why they should not be held in contempt for tearing up the SL&FD tracks;
their defense was, basically, "We were just following orders," of the
City Council. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 11 April 1897)
14 April 1897
The sale of the Utah Central will be delayed somewhat; also a slight increase
in the upset prices; or the minimum bids; SL&FD, to $22,700; SL&E, to
$118,000; and UC, to $21,600. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 April 1897)
15 April 1897
In the OSL engine department, 731, is now 308; 589 is now 214; and the big 843
will soon be the 400. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 15 April 1897)
17 April 1897
Judge Hiles decided the contempt matter in favor of the railroad, and against
the city and its employees. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 April 1897)
8 May 1897
The 'Utah Central Sale' to be this morning at 11:00am; tracks up to and beyond
the fort are still in place. This item says the Utah Central has five
locomotives, seven coaches, and about 135 other cars. Also says that there is
some seven miles of track beyond Park City. Also, at about 4:00am yesterday, a
flood in Parley's Canyon, did much damage to U.C. in area of city reservoir
near Suicide Rock, and just below. There are photographs of this mess. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 May
1897)
9 May 1897
"The Utah Central Sale" was held on Saturday, the 8th; this article
is very nearly two full columns in length, the entire text of which will be
found in the chapter relating to the Young roads. Here, it will do to say that
the roads were sold to the representatives of the bondholders, for the sum of
$272,600, as follows: $40,500 for the Salt Lake & Fort Douglas; $210,500
for the Salt Lake & Eastern; and $21,600 for the Utah Central company
itself. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Herald, 9 May 1897)
9 May 1897
"Sale of Utah Central", purchasers Henry Graff and Anthony J. Dittmar
were two of the largest bondholders; SL&FD sold at $40,500; the SL&E at
$210,500; and the Utah Central at $21,600. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 May 1897)
9 May 1897
The large trestle on the SL&FD, at 10th East and 7th South being removed,
timbers going to repairs in the Parley's Canyon mess. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 May 1897)
10 May 1897
"At 9 o'clock Saturday night workmen commenced tearing down the bridge
where the Utah Central crosses the east end of Seventh South street on a big
fill. By noon yesterday the familiar landmark was gone." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 May
1897)
12 May 1897
"The 031, business car of the Oregon Short Line, is being fitted up for
service on the Utah & Nevada district, narrow gauge. This is the car used
many years ago by George Thatcher when superintendent of the Utah
Northern." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 12 May 1897)
14 May 1897
"Preparing for Lake Travel." "Garfield Rolling Stock being
Repaired." "When the lake season opens this year the Oregon Short
Line will have its narrow gauge equipment in excellent shape. All the excursion
cars have been brought in and are being overhauled and repainted, with 'Oregon
Short Line' in yellow letters across the upper side board. The coach 125 has
came out of the shop as No. 15, and yesterday Oregon Short Line locomotive No.
1 was turned out, having been entirely overhauled and looking like a new engine.
The old Utah Western No. 12 tank engine is being completely overhauled, and in
a few weeks will be transformed into a service engine to be known as No.
4." "No. 3 and No. 11 were both in service yesterday, the latter
having been ordered to the shops to be rebuilt and make its reappearance as No.
2. This makes four engines ready for the Garfield service, all of them being
nearly as good as new. No. 1 made a trial run to Garfield yesterday, and
behaved splendidly on the trip." "The private car 031 was also in the
narrow gauge shops yesterday. It has been set on new trucks and will be
repainted and refitted so that the beach line will always have a car to be used
by the officials and visitors. The retraining coaches will also be overhauled,
and when the bathing trains are put on, the company will be in a position to
handle the crowds." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 14 May 1897)
14 May 1897
The Utah Central will be open this afternoon; replaced track in the canyon at
and below the reservoir is passable, slowly. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 May 1897)
22 May 1897
The Utah Central will borrow a number of the Garfield line's open cars for an
upcoming excursion to Park City. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 May 1897)
26 May 1897
The Salt Lake & Ogden will soon receive five coaches from Kansas City,
which will bring to 20 the number of coaches on the road (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 26 May 1897)
29 May 1897
"Utah Central Change" - the road to be transferred to the new owners,
once final payment, due today, is received. The upset price of $162,300 is to
be paid in cash, or receiver's certificates. 206 of the original 500 SL&FD
$1000 bonds, and 794 of the 1,200 SL&E $1000 bonds, have already been
turned over to Loomis, to apply to that part of the bid above the upset price.
With all coupons intact, Loomis figures that a SL&FD bond is worth $35.67
each, and a SL&E bond is worth $77.08 each; but as some have odd numbers of
coupons clipped, they will have to be figured up. (see next item). (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 29 May
1897)
2 June 1897
Loomis says, that with the missing coupons deducted, the 206 SUED bonds are
worth $5,746.10, and the 794 SUE bonds $58,248.87. He is also holding
$60,984.19 in Receiver's certificates, and the three groups of paper amount in
the aggregate to $124,979.16; Loomis also has ,the $20,000 in cash paid the day
of the sale. The balance to bring the amount up to $272,600 is supposed to be
paid in cash, today. Note that all of the paper mentioned above was in the
hands of those who bought the road. There are other bonds and receiver's
certificates yet outstanding. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 June 1897)
5 June 1897
"The Salt Lake & Ogden has received its new equipment and is in good
shape to handle passenger traffic."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 June 1897)
5 June 1897
Item says that the OSL sold 200 narrow gauge freight cars 'the other day' to
the Sanpete Valley road (corrected to Sumpter Valley; next item). (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 June
1897)
6 June 1897
OSL Timetable No. 1, effective 12:05am this date; printed by the Tribune's job
printing office. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 6 June 1897)
6 June 1897
"The Sumpter Valley was made to read in the Tribune yesterday Sanpete Valley,
the item referring to 200 cars purchased from the Short Line. The Sanpete
Valley is now a broad gauge, but the Sumpter Valley is a narrow-gauge in
eastern Oregon." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 6 June 1897)
7 June 1897
After negotiations between Loomis and the purchasers, the balance due on the
U.C. purchase was set at $122,609.88, which is to be paid today, presumably in
cash. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune,
7 June 1897)
8 June 1897
The $122,609.88 was received yesterday; most of it to be paid out to claims
that Judge Hiles says come before the Utah Central bondholders. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 June
1897)
8 June 1897
"Railway Notes." "The final payment was made yesterday by the
purchasers of the Utah Central railroad, and the deal closed up by Special
Master Loomis, and the transfer of the property made. The special master was
engaged in paying off claims yesterday afternoon." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 8 June 1897)
9 June 1897
An item dated at New York on 8 June 1897, "Joseph Richardson Dead,"
who was quite involved in the Utah Northern, the later Utah & Northern, as
well as other of John W. Young's railroad projects. Richardson died in New York
on the 8th, and was a native of England. His fortune is estimated at 20 millions
of dollars. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Herald, 9 June 1897)
10 June 1897
The various bondholders are to present their bonds to George D. Loomis, special
master in the Utah Central case, within 60 days of this date if they want any
part of the proceeds of the U. C. sale. The bonds of the Salt Lake & Fort
Douglas are dated 31 December 1884; those of the Salt Lake & Eastern are
dated 1 July 1888; and those of the Utah Central itself are dated 1 May 1891.
As to the Receiver's Certificates, $11,100 of them are chargeable to the Salt
Lake & Fort Douglas, while the balance, $88,900, are chargeable to the Salt
Lake & Eastern. The item reports that Loomis had office room 354 in the
City and County Building. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Herald, 10 June 1897)
11 June 1897
"Several excursion cars have been received at the Rio Grande yards for the
Salt Lake & Ogden." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 June 1897)
13 June 1897
"The Garfield opening," in part; "Never before has the equipment
on the railroad been in such good condition. The coaches, open cars and engines
have all been overhauled, repainted and relettered, and the trains will be the
first ones to be marked throughout, 'Oregon Short Line.' Engine No. 4 will be
out of the shops July 1st. This will give four almost new engines to the
Garfield line." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 13 June 1897)
15 June 1897
Garfield Beach opens for the season today.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 15 June 1897)
15 June 1897
The Salt Lake & Los Angeles has received four new excursion cars from St.
Charles; cost nearly $20,000, are about four feet longer than the Pullman-built
cars, will seat 92 persons, and are painted dark green. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 15 June 1897)
24 June 1897
"Utah Central Bought", by the RGW, says the item; tracks still in up
to Fort and beyond; this item says the U.C. has seven locomotives, and 143
other cars. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 24 June 1897)
24 June 1897
"Utah Central Bought", by the RGW, says the item; tracks still in up
to Fort and beyond; this item says the U.C. has seven locomotives, and 143
other cars. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 24 June 1897)
26 June 1897
"Hail to the Rio Grande Western." "About the best news received
in Park City in many a day was the announcement on Thursday that the Rio Grande
Western had purchased the Utah Central road." This, of course, to be of
great benefit to Park City, "…and it will result in the building of a
depot in Park City, a concession that the Utah Central people studiously failed
to grant." (Pitchard, Park Record,
Park City, 26 June 1897)
26 June 1897
"Hail to the Rio Grande Western." "About the best news received
in Park City in many a day was the announcement on Thursday that the Rio Grande
Western had purchased the Utah Central road." This, of course, to be of
great benefit to Park City, "…and it will result in the building of a
depot in Park City, a concession that the Utah Central people studiously failed
to grant." (Pitchard, Park Record,
Park City, 26 June 1897)
11 July 1897
Another of the three-month reports, period ended 30 June 1897; nothing of
especial interest, as the paper is now doing a 'short form' of these dry
things. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Herald, 11 July 1897)
11 July 1897
Receiver's Report filed in Utah Central case for the period April 1st to June
30th, 1897; receipts were $16,369.09, and disbursements were $19,463.26. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 July
1897)
12 July 1897
In Park City, "The old passenger car that does duty as a ticket-office and
waiting-room for the Utah Central was broken into last night and cash to the
amount of $29.15 was stolen." All the money was in coin. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 12 July
1897)
17 August 1897
An item lifted from the Denver Republican, late date, regarding locomotive #702
and its mate on the D. & R. G., which were built at the Burnham shops of
the Rio Grande; the engines have 20 x 26 inch cylinders, and 63 inch drivers. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 17 August
1897)
20 August 1897
Item that says OSL 101, 102 and 103 were 437, 435 and 436, and before that 8, 9
and 10, respectively. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 20 August 1897)
21 August 1897
Persons leasing parts of the Crescent are shipping ore; "Two trains are
now running between the mine and the Crescent concentrator over the tramway and
about 35 tons of ore a day are being hauled." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 21 August 1897)
3 September 1897
'Receivers Will Resign' from the Utah Central, today, it says. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 September 1897)
4 September 1897
"The Crescent Sold." to the Wasatch Mining Company, for $75,000.00;
Crescent has not been worked this year except for parts leased. (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 4 September 1897)
13 September 1897
All track, bridges and such, from 10th East and 9th South junction, up, have
been removed by this date, and the Salt Lake & Fort Douglas is no more.
Track in Red Butte Canyon, and over to Emigration Canyon, is also gone, as no
point to keeping it with no connection. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 September 1897)
17 September 1897
The RGW is building two new cabooses in the shops. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 September 1897)
22 September 1897
The Oregon Short Line has built new business car No. 5 at the shops in Salt
Lake City; now they have cars 1, 2, 3 and 5; the 4 will be built soon. Item
also says they have three half-length cars (1, 2, and 3), with the 5 being the
first big car. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 22 September 1897)
22 September 1897
George D. Loomis filed bond and took oath as Receiver of the Utah Central
yesterday, and James McGregor turned the road over to him. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 September 1897)
1 October 1897
Petition for distribution of funds to bondholders of SL&FD, SL&E and UC
filed yesterday by Graff and Dittmar, purchasers of the UC, etc. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 October 1897)
2 October 1897
"The people of Park City would greatly appreciate the erection of a
comfortable depot building by the R. G. W. people, to take the place of the
stuffy old car that now serves that purpose for the patrons of the Utah
Central. The R. G. W. are progressive and accommodating people, and they will
erect a depot as soon as they get control, without doubt." New Utah
Central agent at Park City is J. S. Ferris, account the former agent, A. H.
Ahlefeldt, has gone into train service. (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 2 October 1897)
6 October 1897
The RGW presently has engines 8, 63, 142 and 148 being 'very fully overhauled.'
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 October 1897)
10 October 1897
Accident on RGW at Thistle on the 8th -- engine 52 backed into engine 9, while
the 9 was on the way to the coal dock. 9 was 'very badly damaged', the 52 only slightly.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 October 1897)
16 October 1897
Another of the three-month reports of the Utah Central receivers, for the
period ended 30 September, 1897, and as usual, nothing of useful interest. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 16 October 1897)
16 October 1897
The OSL has painted up the 437 with No. 102; the builder's plate, still on the
engine, apparently, says she was built by Schenectady in 1880. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 October 1897)
6 November 1897
"An inventory is being taken of the equipment of the Utah & Nevada
district (Garfield line) by Oregon Short Line officials." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 November 1897)
13 November 1897
The OSL has purchased two switch engines, 107 and 108, from the Montana Union;
the 107 is here and the 108 in Pocatello. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 November 1897)
18 December 1897
"News of the Week." "A claim for $300 was yesterday filed by R.
C. Chambers with Receiver Loomis, of the Utah Central Railway company, for rent
and compensation during the receivership for use and occupancy of [the]
roundhouse at Park City and for use of the land for main and side tracks of the
railroad at Park City. -- S. L. Herald, Thursday." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 18 December 1897)
18 December 1897
Item on RGW takeover of the U.C., pending as yet; "If the company will
follow it up by erecting a convenient depot building to replace the unsightly
car used for that purpose at present, everybody will be thankful." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 18 December 1897)
25 December 1897
Deeds to the Utah Central given by Loomis to purchaser's attorney, Frank
Pierce, yesterday; Pierce immediately filed same with the county recorder. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 December 1897)
30 December 1897
A new Utah Central Railroad Company filed articles of incorporation, by RGW
officials and associates, yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 December 1897)
1 January 1898
Salt Lake & Mercur built a 1-1/2 mile branch in 1897. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1898)
1 January 1898
Utah Central sold on May 8, 1897 in foreclosure proceedings by Special Master
in Chancery George D. Loomis, to Graff and Dittmar, of New York, who bid
$272,600.00; a month later, in June the RGW and the purchasers made an
agreement whereby the RGW would get the entire issue of the Capital Stock of a
new corporation to be formed to buy the Utah Central, in return for
guaranteeing the interest, of 4 percent, on $550,000 in bonds of an issue of
$650,000; the $100,000 difference to go into the new company's treasury for
future improvements. The earlier receivers, McGregor and Cary, resigned on 2 September 1897; the Court appointed George D. Loomis as replacement. On 24 December 1897 Loomis delivered the deeds to the U.C.R.R. to Graff &
Dittmar's lawyer; and on the 29th a new Utah Central Railroad was created by
the Rio Grande Western, and others. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1898)
4 January 1898
The Rio Grande Western/D. & R. G. city ticket office will be moved in the
very near future to 109 West 2nd South, in the Dooley Building. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 4 January
1898)
8 January 1898
The Utah & Pacific is completed to Sulphur; regular train service is to
start tomorrow. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 8 January 1898)
11 January 1898
"Loomis Makes Report," being nearly the last of the three-month
reports to the court, this for the three months ending 31 December 1897.
Nothing unusual to report. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 11 January 1898)
11 January 1898
The Rio Grande Western has begun the use of semaphore signals, the first one,
at Thistle, now in use. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 11 January 1898)
16 January 1898
"Loomis Discharged." "Receivership of the Utah Central
Terminated." "The final report of George D. Loomis, receiver of the
Utah Central Railway Company, was yesterday approved by Judge Hiles, and the
receiver ordered discharged. It was ordered that the receiver pay out of the
fund of $1,699.30 in his hands, counsel fees, $400; fees to Special Master
George E. Blair, $215; and that the receiver retain in his hands $100, pending
the determination of a claim presented by one Bramley, and that the balance be
paid to Graff and Dittmar, the purchasers of the road." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 16 January 1898)
16 January 1898
"Receivership Ends." "Final Report in Utah Central Case Approved
by Judge Hiles." "Judge Hiles yesterday afternoon approved the report
of George D. Loomis as receiver and special master of the Utah Central. The
receiver was discharged. C. S. Varian was allowed $200, Dey and Street were
allowed $200, and George E. Blair was allowed $215. The receiver was ordered to
hold $100 to cover certain claims, and turn the balance over to Graff and
Dittmar. This balance was $1,699.30." "Attorney Frank Pierce, when
seen last evening, stated that there was nothing new in the Central matter,
that the Court orders were but a part of the final legal business surrounding
the recent foreclosure sale. The road will run on as it has before, no
developments having arisen in the matter of transferring it to the Rio Grande
Western. "The Utah Central receivership ended on December 31st, and the
papers approved yesterday also include Mr. McGregor's term as receiver. Mr.
Loomis is still in charge of the property pending the expected and final
transfer of the road." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 January 1898)
22 January 1898
The S.P.V. has its old narrow gauge equipment stored at Manti; the paper thinks
that both the Utah Central and the Garfield line will be widened this year, so
"Narrow gauge equipment will soon be cheap in Utah." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 January 1898)
25 January 1898
The 'Railway Age' printed a half-tone (picture) of No. 800, one of the O.S.L.'s
new Cooke engines. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 25 January 1898)
25 January 1898
The Salt Lake & Los Angeles has an option to purchase the Garfield line of
the OSL. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 25 January 1898)
27 January 1898
"Wreck at Springville." "Springville, Utah, Jan. 26. -- A wreck
occurred on the Rio Grande Western at the yards in this city at 2:30 o'clock
this afternoon, engine No. 135, pulling train No. 27, a heavy freight train,
smashed into engine No. 129, which was attached to freight train No. 26, that
was standing in the yard. Just at the east end of the yard limits there is a
curve which prevents a long view of the track, and Engineer Stewart of engine
No. 135, which was pulling the train going west, did not discover the train on
the track until he rounded the curve, then he reversed his engine and whistled
for the other train to back out of the way. Engineer Rugg of engine No. 129
could not back his train so they came together with considerable force. And as
a result eight freight cars are more or less damaged, some of them smashed into
kindling wood. Four of the cars are off the track. The engines were not damaged
to any extent. They both lost their pilots, and engine No. 129's front end was
smashed in, and the probable amount of damage will foot up to $7000. There was
no one injured in the collision." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 January 1898)
30 January 1898
"Mountains and Coast" column: "O.S.L. at Pocatello" - it is
stated that the shops there are building two locomotives, to a six-coupled
design by Master Mechanic J. F. Dunn; boilers and frames were bought in the
East, but the rest is being made at Pocatello. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 January 1898)
30 January 1898
Car No. 3 was in the O.S.L. yards last night; it is the new No. 3, being the
old No. 31 of Pocatello, and is now going to Leamington with the Lake
Bonneville party. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 30 January 1898)
1 February 1898
"Utah Central Change." "The Road Now Operated by the Rio Grande
Western." "With the ringing of the bells last midnight the Utah
Central passed into the hands of the Rio Grande Western." That is, at
12:01am, 1 February 1898. At present, the only real change is to be the arrival
and departure of Utah Central trains from the R.G.W. depot on Second South. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 February 1898)
1 February 1898
"Utah Central Change." "The Road Now Operated by the Rio Grande
Western." "With the ringing of the bells last midnight the Utah
Central passed into the hands of the Rio Grande Western." That is, at
12:01am, 1 February 1898. At present, the only real change is to be the arrival
and departure of Utah Central trains from the R.G.W. depot on Second South. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 February 1898)
2 February 1898
The first Utah Central passenger train arrived at the RGW depot last evening;
the platform has been extended for this purpose. The old U.C. depot at Eighth
South and Main Street to be abandoned and all work heretofore done at Sugar
House is to be transferred to the big shops at the station. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 February 1898)
13 February 1898
Reference to OSL timetable No. 4, apparently recent issue. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 February 1898)
4 March 1898
RGW timetable No. 34, in effect 12:01 am 5 March 1898. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 March 1898)
6 March 1898
Specifications of O.S.L. engines 800 and 801 - 21x28" cylinders, 51"
drivers, 185psi, BP, and weight of 271,000 pounds. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 March 1898)
6 March 1898
One-half page devoted to the new mill of the Golden Gate company at Mercur,
which started up yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 March 1898)
8 March 1898
SL&O to paint its cars an orange color, C & O standard. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 March
1898)
20 March 1898
Reported sale of the Salt Lake & Mercur by Jacobs to 'Chicago parties';
line has three engines and 11 cars. (see item for 30 March) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 March
1898)
21 March 1898
"A train of flat cars pulled into the Salt Lake & Ogden depot Friday
and at first it was thought that a wreck had occurred, for the cars were loaded
with bodies of coaches and passenger trucks, as well as small engines. It was
the train from the East, however, loaded with the recently acquired equipment
for the road." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 21 March 1898)
22 March 1898
John Hickey is the RGW's Master Mechanic -- had been with the N. P. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 March
1898)
26 March 1898
Another reference to the two locomotives built at Pocatello; one of them was in
Salt Lake City the other day - they are the first ones built by the O.S.L., and
are highly regarded. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 26 March 1898)
29 March 1898
William Simpson, engineer on Salt Lake & Mercer engine #3, slippped and
fell under rear wheels of the engine. His leg was crushed, and later required
amputation above the knee. This is but the second serious injury since the road
began operating. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 29 March 1898)
30 March 1898
J. G. Jacobs has returned from Chicago, and says that his railroad, the Salt
Lake & Mercer, is NOT sold.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 March 1898)
12 April 1898
"The Salt Lake & Ogden management has decided to abandon yellow as the
standard color for its cars. The old cars, with the new equipment, will be
painted a cherry color throughout with gilt lettering." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 12 April
1898)
13 April 1898
The R.G.W. has just received two chair cars, of the very latest pattern. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 April 1898)
28 April 1898
The OSL has gotten its narrow gauge equipment into shape for the annual opening
of the Garfield Beach line. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 April 1898)
30 April 1898
"The repairing and building of cars for the Crescent tramway goes steadily
and merrily on. By the time the road is clear of snow everything will be in
readiness to commence hauling down the winter's accumulation of leaser's
ore." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park
City, 30 April 1898)
14 May 1898
"Camp Crosscuts." "It is expected to begin repairing the roadbed
of the Crescent tramway some time next week, unless storms intervene to prevent.
…many of the ties are very old and will require replacing before trains can
be run with safety." (Pitchard, Park
Record, Park City, 14 May 1898)
16 May 1898
Item from the Park Record: "It is expected to begin repairing the roadbed
of the Crescent tramway some time next week, unless storms intervene to
prevent. How long this work will take, …, it is thought it will take quite a
while, as many of the ties are very old and will require replacing before
trains can be run with safety."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 May 1898)
23 May 1898
The R.G.W. has gotten some new coaches from Pullman, to go along with the new
chair cars recently received. All are of the wide vestibule pattern. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 May
1898)
24 May 1898
The R.G.W. yesterday added a 60' theatrical baggage car, which has side and end
doors, but no platforms. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 24 May 1898)
7 June 1898
Change of station name - "Pleasant Valley Junction" is now known as
"Colton," in honor of one of the old officials. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 June 1898)
18 June 1898
"Camp Crosscuts." "Ore hauling from the Crescent over the
tramway was temporarily discontinued Saturday last, pending the sampling and
marketing of the ore brought down to that time." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 18 June 1898)
20 June 1898
A good deal of Park City burned up (or is it down?) yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 June
1898)
21 June 1898
The Crescent tramway blacksmith shop burned in the great fire, as also the
Crescent mill. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 21 June 1898)
1 July 1898
The Salt Lake & Mercur filed at Provo today, a $300,000 mortgage with the
Produce Exchange Trust Co.; bonds are 20 year, at 5%. The proceeds are to be
used for extension, improvement and new equipment. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 July 1898)
9 July 1898
"Switch Back to Go," in reference to the arrangement at Lamb's Canyon
on the Utah Central narrow gauge, which the R.G.W. proposes to replace with a
large trestle and some realignment. Yesterday, General Passenger Agent Wadleigh
went up over the line, with photographer C. R. Savage, who "took views of
all the points of interest." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 July 1898)
10 July 1898
"All the old Utah Central equipment will soon be relettered 'R.G.W.' and
renumbered." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 10 July 1898)
16 July 1898
"Branch Line Improvement." "Equipment of the Park City road to
be Overhauled…" "Regarding the equipment of the narrow gauge line,
Mr. Welby states that it is now being overhauled and all the old or
unserviceable equipment will go to the scrap heap, while the serviceable
engines and cars will be gradually put through the shops for repairs, new paint
and lettering." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 16 July 1898)
19 July 1898
RGW timetable No 35, in effect Sunday 17 July 1898. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 July 1898)
9 August 1898
The RGW has gotten 'some large and beautiful views of Parley's Canyon' from
Savage, some of which will be used in advertising materials. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 August
1898)
9 August 1898
The tramway to Alta is now in its third summer of disuse. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 August 1898)
16 August 1898
The S.L.& M. depot at Mercur is to be moved 200 feet to the south of its
present location, so that the De la Mar company can get at (and under!) the
ground upon which it presently sits.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 August 1898)
19 August 1898
"Superintendent J. F. Dunn has put a straight stack and new smoke consumer
on one of the Garfield small engines. It is to try and abate the annoyance of
cinders and smoke for lake patrons, and if successful will prove a boon to the
public." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 19 August 1898)
24 September 1898
The Crescent tramway is operating, from the mine to the U. P. depot, piling up
ore to be shipped. (Pitchard, Park
Record, Park City, 24 September 1898)
26 September 1898
Ore is coming down from the Crescent over the tramway. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 September 1898)
27 September 1898
The RGW has replaced the 45 pound rail between Manti and Spring City with 56
pound steel rail. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 27 September 1898)
27 September 1898
Construction on the Utah & Pacific is about to start; the OSL has provided
10 box cars and engine 507. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 September 1898)
27 September 1898
The trestle across the mouth of Lamb's Canyon is now being erected; and the
editor of the Park City paper wants the railroad to hurry up and build the
promised depot. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 27 September 1898)
29 September 1898
Some details of Utah & Pacific equipment: -- OSL #507, a ten wheeler, has
been repainted to U&P No. 1, done at OSL shops in SLC; all of the equipment
is from the OSL, and will include the following, in U & P's numbers:
Engines 1, 2, 3 and 4; Coaches 1 and 2; Combines 550 and 51; Box cars, 100 and
up; Flat cars, 500 and up; Coal cars, 800 and up; and water cars 01 and 02.
Engine No.1 has been painted black, with gold lettering. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 29 September 1898)
1 October 1898
The engine intended to be U&P #2 has been going through the shops at
Pocatello, and is about done. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 October 1898)
4 October 1898
First ties laid down at Milford, for U & P, yesterday; engine No. 1 is
there. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 4 October 1898)
8 October 1898
"Camp Crosscuts." "There is now between 2500 and 3000 tons of
Crescent ore on the platform at the U. P. depot and trains are still running
steadily over the tramway to the mine." etcetera of no value. (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 8 October
1898)
8 October 1898
"Park Float" "A crew of surveyors finished putting in mile posts
between here and Salt Lake over the R. G. W. railroad Thursday. The distance
from depot to depot is some 2000 yards over thirty-two miles." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 8 October
1898)
10 October 1898
There is now 2500 to 3000 tons of Crescent ore piled up at the U.P. depot,
"…and trains are still running steadily over the tramway to the
mine." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 10 October 1898)
15 October 1898
"Mining Notes" "James Farrell finished hauling ore over the
Crescent tramway Monday and on Thursday the road was closed for the winter. Mr.
Farrell says before the road can be used again it will need new ties clear
through." (Pitchard, Park Record,
Park City, 15 October 1898)
19 October 1898
U&P No. 2 to be out of Pocatello shops this week. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 October 1898)
19 October 1898
"The Sanpete Valley is overhauling and refitting a passenger coach at its
Nephi shops. The old passenger schedule is to be resumed, and the new coach
will be placed in service."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 October 1898)
21 October 1898
Another half-dozen cars have gone to the Utah & Pacific, and it is reported
that they have accepted engine #2. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 21 October 1898)
22 October 1898
All Rio Grande Western baggage and express cars are being lettered for Wells,
Fargo & Co. Express. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 22 October 1898)
22 October 1898
A new Pullman sleeper-buffet car in service on the RGW is "Buda." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 October 1898)
28 October 1898
A mixing of engines at Springville yesterday -- 36 and 10 were outside the
enginehouse, the 137 inside. The hostler, moving 36 about, lost control, hit
the 10, shoving it through the enginehouse doors, which more closed at the
time, hitting in turn the 137, and putting the 137 through the back wall. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 October 1898)
1 November 1898
The RGW has secured a right-of-way across the electric light company's works to
the new depot site, in Park City. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 November 1898)
1 November 1898
U&P engine No 2 to come down from Pocatello today. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 November 1898)
2 November 1898
The OSL is repairing its postal 304, baggage 501 and coach 121. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 November 1898)
2 November 1898
Utah & Pacific combine 50 is just out of the OSL's Salt Lake shops, and
Coach No. 1 was completed last night; the cars are painted Van Dyke brown, with
yellow lettering. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 2 November 1898)
4 November 1898
The RGW train down from Park City yesterday made the initial trip over the new
trestle in Lamb's Canyon. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 4 November 1898)
4 November 1898
Ties and other timber for the Utah & Pacific comes from the Sumpter
Valley/Oregon Lumber Company, as the same parties run all the companies. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 November 1898)
5 November 1898
"Park Float" "Trains over the R. G. W. now cross the new trestle
at the mouth of Lamb's Canyon." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 5 November 1898)
5 November 1898
RGW timetable No. 36 in effect 12:01am today. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 November 1898)
8 November 1898
Utah & Pacific No. 2 to be sent to Milford today, via OSL of course. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 November 1898)
8 November 1898
"Simon Bamberger Returns" from the East, where he has been on
business of the Salt Lake & Ogden; 10 cars and 2 engines have been arranged
for, and will be here when needed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 November 1898)
18 November 1898
"The new locomotive some time ago ordered for the Salt Lake & Mercur
will be shipped from Lima, O., in a short time." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 November 1898)
19 November 1898
"Park Float" "A party of R. G. W. surveyors were out Tuesday to
line up and stake out the new piece of track that is to be built from the
present depot on the flat to the ground recently purchased for depot purposes
between the electric light works and the Hopkins Coal Company's place of
business. Whether the new depot is to be built at once or not agent Hedges did
not know. Section hands have been putting in new rails, leveling up and
cleaning between the track at the depot this week." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 19 November 1898)
22 November 1898
O.S.L. #802 now being built by Cooke.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 November 1898)
28 November 1898
"Wants More Cars" on the broad gauge; item says that RGW has 933
broad gauge and 87 narrow gauge freight cars. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 November 1898)
3 December 1898
"Park Float" "The bad weather of the past few days has caused
the R. G. W. to take off the construction crew which has been engaged in laying
and bedding the track from its present depot on the flat below town to the new
depot site next to the Hopkins Coal Company's office, and all hope of a new
depot before spring has vanished." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 3 December 1898)
11 December 1898
U & P issues it's first tariff, effective 24 Dec 1898; Engine No. 3 and two
passenger and baggage cars went down last night, as a special; Engine No. 4
will be ready soon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 11 December 1898)
16 December 1898
"Engine No. 802 was finished for the Oregon Short Line on Monday and left
Paterson, N.J., for the West. It will arrive in about a week." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 December 1898)
16 December 1898
Paper says that U&P tariff No. 1 printed yesterday, effective 1 January 1899.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 December 1898)
20 December 1898
The new locomotive for the Salt Lake & Mercur has passed Cheyenne, and
should be here today. It is a 40-ton Shay, accompanied by Stephen H. Reed, who
will set it up. This will give the Salt Lake & Mercur four engines; two of
the others are 28 tons, and the old 'dinkey' is 20 tons. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 December 1898)
28 December 1898
The new R.G.W. depot at Springville has been completed, and was occupied by the
agent, for business, on the 26th.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 December 1898)
1 January 1899
Review of 1898: The Salt Lake & Mercur has recently received a new 40-ton
locomotive, and one passenger coach.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1899)
1 January 1899
Review of 1898:Park City mines - the Crescent: "One year ago we told of
the foreclosure and sale of this old property, and its being bid in by the
Wasatch company." Since then, has been leased to a number of different
operators. "The property is comparatively idle, it being worked to so
small an extent under the new management." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1899)
1 January 1899
Review of 1898: The RGW bought eight engines, four chair cars, two coaches, one
theatrical baggage car and 32 freight cars, and built four caboose cars. The
RGW built a new station at Springville.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1899)
1 January 1899
Review of 1898: The O.S.L. bought 17 engines. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1899)
1 January 1899
Review of 1898: On the Salt Lake & Ogden, "new engines and cars have
been ordered,…" (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1899)
8 January 1899
The Utah & Pacific is completed to Sulphur, and regular train service will
start tomorrow. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 8 January 1899)
9 January 1899
"…last year the Western got several coaches and chair cars,…, and has
but lately ordered three palatial dining-cars." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 January 1899)
11 January 1899
"The Rio Grande Western has ordered another sixty-foot baggage car similar
to the one it bought last year. The car will be part of the Western's quota of
through cars for Wells, Fargo & Co. between San Francisco and
Chicago." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 11 January 1899)
12 January 1899
On the Utah & Pacific, trains leave Milford at 7:30pm, arriving at Sulphur
at 9:00pm; and leave Sulphur at 5:00am, arriving at Milford at 6:30am,
connecting at Milford with OSL trains. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 12 January 1899)
17 January 1899
Ten new Pullman cars for O.S.L. service: Alcazar, Alcade, Algonquin, Alameda,
Altamont, Alpine, Alexis, Algeria, and Alcatraz. Cars are ,12 section, 1
drawing room and 1 smoking room, and are intended for the Chicago-Portland run. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 January 1899)
25 January 1899
100 stock cars being built for the Rio Grande Western by the Illinois Car &
Equipment Co., cars being 36'6" long and of 30 ton capacity. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 January 1899)
25 January 1899
Utah & Pacific reached Cedar City Junction, 37 miles from Milford,
yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 25 January 1899)
27 January 1899
Cedar City Junction is now "Lund."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 January 1899)
4 February 1899
"Park Float" "Park City people are complaining bitterly of the
R. G. W.'s train service between here and Salt Lake. The company, they declare,
is indifferent as to whether the train ever reaches here or not after once
leaving the city. They say the service is worse than it ever was when the old
Utah Central outfit was at the helm." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 4 February 1899)
19 February 1899
"The new yard tracks at Mercur have been completed." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 February 1899)
27 February 1899
"Local Rails for Nevada;" info from the White Pine (Nev.) 'News' says
"…that the Glasgow & Western company has purchased from the Rio
Grande Western railroad rails, locomotives and other plant formerly used on the
narrow gauge, for the railroad from Wells to Cherry Creek." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 February 1899)
27 February 1899
There was a conductor on the O.S.L. who apparently had a flair for sending
poetical reports of difficulties; this one made the papers:
"Engine 503 cut up a caper,
Two miles south of Draper.
It's nothing new, she burst a flue,
Engine is dead & can't get through."
The poetic fellow was Will Havenor. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 February 1899)
27 February 1899
"Stories of the Rail", an occasional column, devoted most of this one
to Utah Central Railway (the old one) Engine No. 5, more recently known as No.
319, built in 1873. The 319 arrived in Pocatello last week, dead, in a freight
train; had been sitting on a sidetrack at Shoshone for several seasons. Tender
already gone to water car service. The article says that the 5 became the 319
on 30 June 1890, 'according to the assignment made by the Union Pacific'. The
engine was taken to Pocatello to be scrapped, and the boiler to stationary
service some where. There are other engines at Shoshone, U.C. No's 16, 3, 6, 7
and 4; some old engines still in service are: UC 8 to UP 435 to OSL 103; UC 9
to UP 436 to OSL 102; and UC 10 to UP 437 to OSL 101. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 February 1899)
28 February 1899
Rio Grande Western chair car 402 has just left the shops. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 February 1899)
7 March 1899
Jacob Blickensderfer died 28 February 1899 at his farm near Lebanon, Missouri,
at age 83. Began working with the U.P. in the early 1860's. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 March
1899)
7 March 1899
Engine 802 on the OSL has an extension front end and a straight stack, the only
engine so equipped on the OSL. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 March 1899)
11 March 1899
"The R. G. W. was 'hung up' Saturday and Sunday, the first train coming in
Monday afternoon. There has been more snow to 'buck' this winter than any
winter since the road was built. Last Sunday five engines and 150 men were
fighting the 'beautiful."' (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 11 March 1899)
17 March 1899
"The 'Nomad' is in the local shops of the Rio Grande Western." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 March 1899)
21 March 1899
The Railway Age says that Pullman is building three coaches for the Rio Grande
Western. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 21 March 1899)
21 March 1899
OSL engines 750-757, ten wheelers, about to be received; have 20x28"
cylinders and 57" drivers. Cooke build. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 21 March 1899)
28 March 1899
The O. S. L. is removing the platforms from mail and baggage cars. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 March 1899)
28 March 1899
Tuesday; first two engines of 720 class left Paterson on Saturday for the O. S.
L. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 March 1899)
31 March 1899
'Nomad', in overhaul now, is painted Tuscan red, as is all passenger equipment
on the Rio Grande Western. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 31 March 1899)
31 March 1899
"Utah Central narrow-gauge passenger equipment is being overhauled and
repainted in the Western shops." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 31 March 1899)
31 March 1899
The RGW has just received a Model G Barnhart steam shovel, which has a scoop
capacity of 3 to 32 yards, it says.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 31 March 1899)
1 April 1899
"Turtleback 551, from Pocatello, a switcher bought from the Montana Union,
is in the Salt Lake shops for repairs." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 April 1899)
2 April 1899
"The Salt Lake & Ogden will order two more locomotives shortly." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 April
1899)
3 April 1899
Two of 8 new 700 class engines for the O. S. L. left Paterson on Sunday, March
26th, and are expected in Pocatello by April 9th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 April 1899)
6 April 1899
"No. 71, the big passenger engine for the desert run, was turned out of
the Rio Grande Western shops yesterday, looking new and bright." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 April
1899)
8 April 1899
"The Salt Lake & Ogden has just received two fine thirty-eight ton
locomotives for use on its line." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 April 1899)
9 April 1899
"Engines 17 and 19, the new ones for the Lagoon route, are very handsome
and serviceable." These are later referred to as 50-ton locos. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 April
1899)
13 April 1899
"Mercur's March Record," their best month yet; "The new
locomotive, which is now working like a charm, has afforded much
relief,…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 13 April 1899)
14 April 1899
The San Pete Valley is to build a six-mile branch up Andrews canyon to stone
quarries. David Eccles (Oregon Lumber Co.) is to supply the ties and other
timber, and rail is to acme from the OSL.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 April 1899)
14 April 1899
The Salt Lake & Ogden contracted yesterday for 5,000 ties, to be used in
the existing road, "Owing to the fact that the two engines just received
are fifty-ton locomotives, it is necessary to improve the track…"
"The new engines will be able to make fast time with a train of from ten
to seventeen cars,…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 April 1899)
15 April 1899
"San Pete Engines Sold" "The San Pete Valley railway yesterday
sold to the Sumpter Valley railway two narrow-gauge locomotives. They will be
shipped to Baker City early next week. These two engines are the 106 and 107,
and were in service on the road up to the time it was broad-gauged, since then
being in the sheds at Manti. Both are in good condition and are well adapted to
mountain work. They will be put in service at once on the Sumpter Valley line.
It will break the hearts of Billy Watson and Sam Parry to see old 107 go to
Oregon, for they declare her to be the best narrow-gauge that ever climbed a
mountain." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 15 April 1899)
17 April 1899
Another "Stories of the Rails", this one a tour of the rip track; the
introductory paragraph is nothing, rest of item is herewith quoted: "A
trip of an hour along the local sidetracks reveals many a ghost of former days.
The collection of oddities in the way of equipment is varied and highly
entertaining. They bring back memories of old days as nothing else could do.
Hidden in the rear of the Rio Grande Western roundhouse, for instance, is old
No. 9. She is now minus several features, such as cab, cowcatcher and tank, and
the small boiler straddling four pairs of drivers on axles widened out to broad
gauge, makes rather a sorry picture. Time was, when No. 9 was one of the
handiest engines on the road. It was in the narrow gauge days, and the engine
was of a heavy consolidation type. She had seen service on the Denver & Rio
Grande over Marshall Pass before coming to the Western. While on this end her
work was always satisfactory. When the Western was broad-gauged, No. 9 was
broadened out, and performed beautifully on a daily run until at last she
became a common switch engine. Now she is ready to make her last run."
"Caboose No. 3 of the Utah Central stands on a track especially laid for
it. The boys in the shop have named it 'Mr. Welby's watch charm,' because it is
so very small. It was built by John W. Young at the local shops, but was seldom
used, owing to the fact that a combination train was operated, and the
passenger car served as trainmen's shelter. It was numbered 3 probably for the
same reason that Utah Central wrecking car was numbered 001. Railroad men will
appreciate the system in numbering the Utah Central equipment when it is
explained that the Rio Grande Western only acquired about 100 pieces of
equipment in all when it bought the road. An '001' wrecker for a thirty-mile
road is also out of the ordinary, but it is said that the car was bought by
John W. at a narrow gauge equipment bargain counter with other equipment which
he got cheap for use on the extension across the reservations and the number
went with the car. The '001' is now one of the curiosities of the
sidetracks." "Back of the car repair shops is coach 301 set flat on
the ground. Its trucks, windows and platforms have disappeared and the car is
now used for storage of long pieces of hardwood lumber. The once gorgeous
frescoed canvas ceiling and lamp brackets can still be seen, although lacking
the lustre of former days. No. 301 was once an elegant coach on the through
narrow gauge runs between Ogden and Denver. It was owned by the Denver &
Rio Grande Western, and has seen the finest of first-class passenger service.
Nearby is the 'sawdust' car, which was one of the first narrow gauge baggage
cars, but is now set on broad gauge trucks and used to haul sawdust
and-shavings from the car shops." "The name of John W. Young will
ever come forward when giving reminiscences of Utah railroads. When the Oregon
Short Line terminal yards of the narrow gauge line were visited, the first
relic located was an old semi-circular tank. It is the last remnant of the Utah
Western, the road Young organized in 1889 to build from the Salt Lake &
Fort Douglas northwest to the lake. The tank is all that is left of Utah
Western engine No.4, which was a saddle-tank affair, that is, the tank shown in
the picture covered the locomotive boiler, and a coal box was back of the cab.
The boiler is now a part of the Oregon Short Line narrow gauge No.2 running to
Garfield, but passengers to that bathing resort four summers ago will perhaps
remember the Utah Western saddle-tank, which, with other curiosities, stood on
the sidetrack half way between here and Garfield. The engine was an old one,
and was bought by the Utah Western from a defunct Eastern narrow gauge
road!" "In the same yard is probably the smallest tank, in the west,
for a regular locomotive. It is used by the narrow gauge engines of the Short;
Line occasionally as an extra tank. It holds only 800 gallons of water, one-fifth
as much as a modern tank. It was originally a part of engine No. 4 of the old
Utah & Nevada." "One of the funniest looking engines was found on
the sidetracks of the Salt Lake & Ogden. This is a dummy, or motor, and is
called 'Morning Side'. It is an interesting relic in several ways, having been
formerly run on the line from Kansas City to Independence, Mo., the latter city
giving it additional local interest. President Bamberger bought it when the
Great Salt Lake & Hot Springs was first built, but the suburban line on
which it first operated is now a part of the Kansas City, Pittsburg & Gulf.
Mr. Bamberger is going to have the dummy painted and put under a shed at Lagoon
as a curiosity." This article was accompanied by a number of line
sketches, taken from photographs of the various items described: a sketch of
engine 9, left side, from the cab-that-was forward; the sketch of Utah Central
caboose 3 shows it was a short, four wheel car, no cupola, three windows on the
side, end doors but no windows; the wrecker 001, about 30 feet long in the
body, looking something like a combine with but two side windows, evenly
spaced, with a cupola between the center of t the car and the baggage door,
arch-roof, no clerestory; the coach 301 sketch reflects its chair car origins,
of which there are photos elsewhere; the tank from Utah Western 4, looks
Baldwin-y; The picture of the tender tank, from No 4 of the old Utah &
Nevada, is standard Brooks early mogul tender, which the engine referred to
was; and the SL&O dummy is an 0-4-2 Porter, the sketch even showing the
shield Porter plate! A note should be made of the problem of number confusion;
other info shows that the Utah Western engine was #12, 0-6-0T; attached by the
U.P. for non-payment of freight, it was rebuilt to OSL narrow gauge No. 4 in
1897. The tender tank, referred to as old No. 4 of the Utah & Nevada, was
old Utah & Nevada (Brooks, 1873), but was that road's No. 1, renumbered to
OSL&UN #4 in 1890. The engine was written off in 1891, and the tender obviously
converted to a spare water car. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 April 1899)
18 April 1899
The paper published Utah & Pacific tariff, which went into effect
yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 18 April 1899)
19 April 1899
"President
Palmer is now occupying the 'Nomad,' which has recently been through the Salt
Lake shops." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 19 April 1899)
22 April 1899
"The S.P.V.Ry. have sold two of their narrow gauge locomotives. They will
be shipped to Oregon before long." (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 22 April 1899)
24 April 1899
"The two San Pete Valley engines sold to the Sumpter Valley road will go
north in a day or two." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 April 1899)
26 April 1899
"The first engine that has received a general overhauling at the Thistle
shops of the R.G.W. has just been out upon her first trip. It is engine No.2,
one of the 'set-out' engines." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 April 1899)
30 April 1899
Utah & Pacific Railroad Co. timetable No. 1, effective 30 April 1899 is
reproduced in the paper. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 30 April 1899)
1 May 1899
"New Engines are Beauties," being four of the eight due for the
Oregon Short Line. They are numbered 720 through 723, built by Cooke, and came
out in charge of M. J. McDonald, who is now setting them up for service.
Labeled as being ten-wheelers, with 28x30" cylinders and 58" drivers.
The item also discusses some of the older engines, such as 316, which was
previously Utah Central Railway #3, and which has now been brought from storage
at Shoshone to Pocatello to be scrapped. The O.S.L. has in service eight
engines 32 years old, being numbers 202 through 207, 213 and 214, all of which
were built in 1867; the 203, 204 and 213 are the oldest of the old, having been
built in April of 1867. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 1 May 1899)
1 May 1899
Another "Stories of the Rail," this one concerns itself with a pair
of cars that John W. Young bought of Jackson & Sharp in 1874. The plan of
the cars was apparently the same, with an observation end, state room in the
center and regular coach seating at the other end, the cars being fitted out
with sofas, desks, easy chairs and the like. One of the cars was done up in
leather, and the other in red plush. The cars were named Mauch Chunk, which was
used on and the property of the Utah Western; and the St. George, which the
report has it was a gift by John W. to his father, Brigham Young. When the U.
P. took over the line (1881), the St George became 144, and the Mauch Chunk an
ordinary coach. The 'st George' later used as a division superintendent's car;
on hand in 1896 to be used by the Queen of the Midsummer Carnival; still on
hand in 1897 when OSL created. In early 1897, a visiting Canadian railway official,
connected with the then-new Columbia & Western, saw the car while on the
way east to arrange for equipment for his road, liked the car, and bought it.
It was therefore sent to Trail, British Columbia and used on that road. As that
road is now about to be made standard gauge, the car is again excess. Sir
William Van Horne, who was here lately and is in charge of the Canadian
Pacific, which has acquired control of the Columbia & Western, says that
the old car is to be sent to Montreal as a relic of pioneer railroading in the
West. (Note: I suspect that there is a good deal of reality behind this
interesting tale. There was a car St. George, that apparently was kept at Salt
Lake for President Young's use; mention of it occurs rarely, and no information
otherwise have I found on what happened to it. I believe, however, that
assigning it the number 144 would be an error. Consult roster of U.W. passenger
equipment.) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 1 May 1899)
5 May 1899
"First Car Finished" OSL mail car 311 has had its platform removed,
now making it 60'10" over end sills, and it is painted a rich Van Dyke
brown, lettered in gold leaf. 'Chicago - Portland Special' is on the center of
the letterboard, with 'Oregon Short Line' in smaller lettering at the ends of
the letterboard, same as on the Union Pacific and related lines. All head-end
cars are to be so rebuilt and painted. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 May 1899)
8 May 1899
"Work in Thistle Shops," a paragraph on Thistle and the shops of the
Rio Grande Western there, half of which is of no value; the other half says:
"Two set-out engines have lately been given a general overhauling and were
turned out in first-class shape, engine No. 2 having taken a train of fourteen
loads of stock from the branch, the largest train ever pulled by one of this
class. Engine 4 has not yet made her first trip, but it is certain she can do
almost if not quite as well. These set-out engines are to be used this coning
summer upon the branches."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 May 1899)
8 May 1899
Oregon Short Line engine #720 visited Salt Lake City yesterday, being brought
down from Pocatello for the locals to view. While always referred to as 'ten
wheeler,' these engines seem in fact to be of the 2-8-0 pattern, as are freight
engines. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 8 May 1899)
9 May 1899
The Oregon Short Line is planning to rebuild four of the 600 series engines (of
which there are 42) to fast passenger engines, with 26" stroke and
62" drivers. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 9 May 1899)
9 May 1899
"Ties & rails are being delivered to the Sanpete Valley at
Nephi." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 9 May 1899)
10 May 1899
Robert Blickensderfer left the Union Pacific on June 1st, 1895; on September
1st, 1895 he became General Superintendent of the Wheeling .& Lake Erie;
and was appointed Receiver thereof on 15 January 1897, and is now to be
president of the reorganized W. & L. E. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 May 1899)
13 May 1899
"The local branch of the R. G. W. is doing an immense business these days.
Tuesday a regular daily freight train was put on, with L. C. Winslow in charge.
This is the first freight train for over a year and the daily programme will be
to take down fifteen or more cars of ore from this end and bring up about as
many from the other end loaded with merchandise, building material, etc. Park
City is very much alive, notwithstanding rumors to the contrary, and in justice
to its patrons the R. G. W. should build that long-promised depot." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park City, 13 May
1899)
20 May 1899
Tracklaying on the San Pete Valley's Mt. Nebo Branch, up Andrews Canyon, began
yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 20 May 1899)
21 May 1899
"The Utah Central has a coach, 101, just out of the shops." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 21 May
1899)
21 May 1899
The Rio Grande Western is to take part in the "Chicago-Portland
Special," in connection with the D&RG and the OSL, on a Denver to
Portland branch of the service. The Western is painting up new chair cars 402
and 403, for which "the standard Tuscan red … has been changed to Van
Dyke brown [with] rich gold facings." Cars will be lettered to match the
scheme of the OSL cars. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 21 May 1899)
22 May 1899
The RGW has four old engineers, three of whom worked on the D&RG narrow
gauge in Colorado prior to 1883, and one, Stewart, who worked on the Utah &
Pleasant Valley and stayed on when the D&RGW bought the U&PV in 1882. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 May
1899)
22 May 1899
"The 1201, an 80,000 pounds capacity coal car, has been turned out of the
Western shops." RGW #1201 matches OSL #5001, built in Fall 1898. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 May
1899)
22 May 1899
The Oregon Short Line is building 40-ton capacity coal cars, matching RGW's new
#1201 -- OSL's #5000 built last fall, and the #5001 is about to come out. The
road is also getting 250 box cars, of 30 ton capacity, and numbered in the 8000
series. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune,
22 May 1899)
24 May 1899
There will be a new RGW timetable on June 1st. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 May 1899)
25 May 1899
"New Color Standard." "The standard color, Tuscan red, now used
for Rio Grande Western passenger equipment, will be succeeded by the Van Dyke
brown. Vice-President and General Manager D. C. Dodge made the statement
yesterday,…" This change the result of Dodge seeing the chair cars for
the Chicago-Portland Special and liking their appearance. "…the Van Dyke
brown is almost a black…"
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 May 1899)
25 May 1899
A mile of track has been laid on the SPV's new branch up Andrews Canyon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 May
1899)
29 May 1899
RGW dining car 'Ogden' arrived last night, the first on the RGW; to go into
service Thursday; car is painted Tuscan red, with mahogany interior. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 29 May
1899)
30 May 1899
The other two of the dining cars for RGW, 'salt Lake' and 'Provo,' have
arrived. The Superintendent of Dining Cars is D. S. Fraser; on the cars the
following: car 'salt Lake,' W. C. Brady is Steward, J. C. Eichhorn is chef; on
the car 'Ogden,' C. G. Lewis is Steward and P. Linnet is chef; and on the car
'Provo,' H. S. Hubbard is Steward and Frank Rice the chef. "The waiters
are all experienced colored men…" "The linen, silver and Haviland
china are all marked 'Rio Grande Western Rwy…" At present, cars are
still scheduled to go into service on Thursday the 1st of June. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 May
1899)
30 May 1899
Utah & Pacific timecard No.2, effective 1 June 1899, shows service between
Milford and Modena. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 30 May 1899)
31 May 1899
"'salt Lake' on Exhibition." "The Rio Grande Western dining car
'salt Lake' will be open for visitors between 3 and 5 this afternoon. The
tables will be laid and the niches between the windows filled with palms and
flowers for the event. All who wish to see the car will be welcomed. It will be
at the depot." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 31 May 1899)
31 May 1899
The Oregon Short Line has added a new pile driver, #621, from the Industrial
works, Bay City, Michigan. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 31 May 1899)
1 June 1899
"Open for Inspection." "About 150 people visited the Rio Grande
Western dining-car 'salt Lake' as it stood on the side track ready to go out.
The tables were all set, the chef and assistants in white linen were in the
kitchen, while Conductor Brady and assistants were in the main salon. The tables
were prettily decorated with roses and carnations and potted plants were placed
over each table." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 1 June 1899)
3 June 1899
"From one high in railroad circles, the Record learns that within sixty
days the new R. G. W. depot will be completed. We hope this will prove true for
the present shack is a disgrace to the company and an eyesore to the
town." (Pitchard, Park Record, Park
City, 3 June 1899)
5 June 1899
"The Rio Grande western's heavy engine 203 is out of the shops." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 June
1899)
10 June 1899
"The first consignment of material for the new R. G. W. depot arrived
yesterday, and workmen are expected next week to commence work on the
structure." (Pitchard, Park Record,
Park City, 10 June 1899)
11 June 1899
T. J. Mackintosh has been appointed General Superintendent of Salt Lake &
Mercur, effective 1 July 1899. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 June 1899)
12 June 1899
The O. S. L. has begun to put automatic couplers on the pilots of its engines. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 12 June
1899)
19 June 1899
Name change on the R. G. W.: Clear Creek is changed to Tucker; and Mud Creek is
changed to Clear Creek. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 19 June 1899)
22 June 1899
Garfield Beach opens today for the season.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 June 1899)
24 June 1899
"Our New Depot" upon which work began on Tuesday, and is to be
completed in three weeks. Frank L. Chaffin of Salt Lake City is in charge. The
plans were shown to 'a Record man;' in Eastlake style, and is 24' by 48' in
size. Waiting room is 16'x 22', office is 12' x 22', and the baggage room also
12' x 22'. The freight house is to be 24' by 110', with five large sliding
doors - "The roof and sides of this building will be covered with
corrugated iron." "Just what will be done with the old dilapidated
car that for so many years served as a depot is not known--but it would be a
good idea to frame it and store it away as a relic of ancient railroading in
Park City." (Pitchard, Park Record,
Park City, 24 June 1899)
26 June 1899
RGW declares a dividend of 1-1/4 percent on the preferred stock. The D.&
R.G. also declares, but 2 percent for them. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 June 1899)
26 June 1899
The San Pete Valley's Mt. Nebo branch, up Andrews canyon, is nearing
completion. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 26 June 1899)
4 July 1899