Rio Grande in Utah
This page was last updated on October 28, 2024.
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Notes From Davis County, Utah
Taken from D&RG maps on file in Davis County Recorder's Office (done on November 23, 1983)
- The original D&RG mainline north from Salt Lake City was along Sixth (700) West to Seventh (800) North
- Possible branch continued along Sixth West to Utah Co-op elevator
- Salt Lake & Ogden connection was shown as coming from the east, crossing the OSL, then paralleling D&RG into SE1/4 of Section 2 in North Salt Lake
- Possible copper plant location was west from curve at 15th North in Salt Lake City, then straight west along 15th North for approximately 1-1/2 blocks
- Farmington had a water tank that was 24 feet in diameter and 16 feet high
- Lake Park Branch was in Section 23, lots 2, 3 and 4 of Section 22, NE1/4 of Sectionn 27, T3N R1W
- Clark Lane is on the half-section line
Other information from Davis County Recorder's office
- D&RGW Fransworth Branch ended in Sections 27, 28, 33, and 34, T5N, R2W
- D&RGW Lake Park Branch (in Farmington) ended in Sections 22, 23, and 24, T3N, R1W
- Bamberger ran along the Salt Lake meridian through Farmington
Rio Grande In Utah Signaling
The following comes from John Carr.
(Visit his CarrTracks website)
The D&RGW installed 67 GRS color light signals between Helper and Soldier Summit on 25 miles of double track in 1928. The signals between Helper and Soldier Summit were set up for operation in either direction on either track. The operator at Kyune controlled the signals and power switches at the center sidings at Nolan and Kyune. There were wyes for turning helpers at Kyune, Colton and Soldier Summit. At the time the line had 6 passenger and 30 freight trains a day plus returning helpers. Westbound passenger trains longer than 11 cars required a helper, merchandise trains usually only needed one helper, while coal trains of 65 cars or trains over 4,500 tons needed two helper engines.
Block signals were installed from Grand Junction to Helper in 1929. The installation of GRS CTC from Midvale to Provo was completed in October 1929. The work included the installation of 76 GRS color light signals on 31 miles of single track and 2 miles of double track. In 1931 GRS color light signals were added from Soldier Summit to Provo 50 miles.
In 1936, it installed GRS CTC Midvale to Roper Yard along with eight power switches and 34 GRS color light signals on 7 miles of double track. At the time the line had six passenger and 20 freight trains a day. There are more westbounds in the morning and eastbounds in the evening.
In 1943 CTC was installed from Helper to Agate (near Cottonwood) 50 miles. The CTC machine had 46 levers controlling 22 switches. The control of this territory went to the Grand Junction office in 1954. In 1956, D&RGW modified operations on the westward track at Nolan, by adding CTC Lynn to Nolan and remove the center siding at Nolan. The project added one power switch and 19 signals. CTC was installed Soldier Summit to Springville in 1975.
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