Heber Valley Railroad

[@atsfevan0242]

Watching this sure brings back memories to whenever I watched 2 train DVDs I had where 618 did 2 different photo charters in the winter. While she’s been out of service since 2010, it’s good knowing she’ll run again, except her current rebuild is going slower than expected and who knows when she’ll be back. Still, thanks for sharing this video as I feel like there aren’t many vids on 618 on the internet these days.

[@gib-berry]

I love it, thanks for your comments. I tried to stay out of those DVD producer's shots. Great to hear enthusiasm for seeing her run again! I am making up for all those years they said I was just a "hot water boy!" Dare I say, "Foamer!" As a former, foamer, I am ready to see it run on hydrogen fuel-cells.

[@atsfevan0242]

@@gib-berry gotcha

[@soundwavesuperior7522]

Once again, absolutely gorgeous shots, sweeping and relaxing, but never losing focus on the main appeal. I was so moved by these videos that I went ahead and searched up old 618 here, after remembering seeing some comments in your last video I believe, that lead me to believe she was left to rust somewhere. It warmed my heart, in turn, when I read she was in the process of being restored, as of twenty twenty two, at least. Tell me, friend, do you know of her current state?

[@RocketStephen618]

618 is still at the Heber Valley RR, and still under a slow restoration. Heber has been focusing on improving lots of things, and haven't had much time to put 618 back into service.

[@soundwavesuperior7522]

@RocketStephen618 Ah, well certainly better than being forgotten or scrapped. It would be a wonder to see her, one day, steaming her way across the snow covered slopes and meadows as seen in your videos.

[@gib-berry]

Love the input! Likely, the cost to do the work and then keep it operational has well-exceeded any practical profitable limits. A trend should start where generosity can come along and with a few million dollars make quick work of what is left. The #75 is just as glorious! Who knows are the #35 and #36 still out there penned up in Henderson? Back in the day there were traffic jams of steam locomotives on this one track, and there is always that dream to get the band back together, but it won't be done easily with $5 family nights and hot dogs. Opening a 100+ yo engine is a can-of-worms. My idea is for Coke to pay to paint them like Coke and Diet Coke cans with the stripe. Just their social spikes from videos and photos will pay for the restore and #75 in chrome or temporarily silver-leafed would look otherworldly. What eccentric billionaire or influencer like MrBeast wouldn't want to do that? The railroad with VC needs to buy all that old property, restore it, those historic stations, the old timey town etc and bury the hatchet. It's streams of next-level revenue sitting there like Chuck E Cheese on a smoke break. It makes the whole town look run-down when it could be so much more. It is ironic that this fake ghost town is the office for family services. But Heber is too small, they say. NP - Divert tourist traffic away from the town and highway and that alone will pay for the diversion. Obviously optimistic but some of these content creators should be clamoring for the chance to shout, "I rebuilt this steam locomotive from pieces and turned it in to the Coors Silver Bullet, Camel Ultra Light, or Pringles can!"

[@soundwavesuperior7522]

@gib-berry That would certainly be interesting, a little tasteless in my eyes to turn such proud historical machines into mobile soda advertisements, but whatever gets them back in action I suppose.

[@gib-berry]

@@soundwavesuperior7522 Completely agree, the railroad deserves better than the proud machines are currently getting. I'm fine if the town meth dealer wants to do the restore with a modest plaque, but a few days dressed up for a MrBeast stunt or advertising beats the dilapidated, bare-minimum, trust me, eye-sore status-quo. Thanks for your input.