Utah State Railroad Museum Authority
This page was last updated on September 10, 2012.
Overview
Senate Bill 152 was passed by the Utah State legislature during this most recent session. The bill becomes effective on July 1, 2010 and creates the Utah State Railroad Museum Authority.
The purpose of the authority is to facilitate or operate and maintain a scenic and historic railroad, maintain one or more railroad history museums, to see to the restoration, preservation, and public display of railroad artifacts and railroad heritage, and see to the restoration, preservation, and operation of historically significant railroad related properties in and around Weber and Box Elder Counties for public benefit.
The authority shall maintain the rails, bed, right-of-way, and related property owned by the authority upon which the authority's train operates in compliance with state and federal statutes, rules, and regulations. Also to lease rails or equipment from Utah Department of Transportation and Utah Division of Parks and Recreation. The bill also authorizes the Utah Department of Transportation and the Division of Parks and Recreation to jointly lease the rails, bed, right-of-way, and related property for the operation of a scenic and historic railroad in and around Weber and Box Elder Counties, for not more than $1 per year to the authority.
Here is a link to the bill itself:
Utah Legislature, 2010, S.B. 152
Looks like the effort to get a tourist railroad into operation between Ogden and the Golden Spike National Monument is moving along nicely.
Timeline
September 7, 2012
The initial meeting of the Utah State Railroad Museum Authority was held at Ogden Union Station. Present were representatives from the major railroad museums, railroad historical societies, government leaders, the community, and tourism groups, from Weber and Box Elder counties in attendance. Weber County Commissioner Jan Zogmeister was selected to be the Chair of this group. The USRMA will be meeting on a monthly basis. The primary focus of this meeting was organizational and operational details. Also discussed was the fact that the physical location of the projects are in Weber and Box Elder Counties. However, the potential audience is at a minimum Utah State wide and extends throughout the Intermountain region. The visitor bureaus from both counties will play a major role in reaching out to potential visitors.
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