Heber Valley Railroad and Utah Railway: Utah’s Premier Tourist and Shortline Railroads

In this video, C. Vision Productions visits Utah, where we'll see train operations on the Heber Valley Railroad and Utah Railway in June of 2020, including the wedding train of Jim and Sandy House on June 16th, 2020. Heber Valley GP9s 52 and 77 will provide the power for all trains during our visit. These units came to Utah from Pan Am Railways in 2018, and feature heritage paint from Maine Central and Boston & Maine, respectively. On the Utah Railway, we’ll follow one of the railroad’s RUT611 road runs on its way from Provo to Ogden, Utah over Union Pacific trackage. The motive power on this train consisted of two consecutively-numbered former Hamersly Iron SD50S units, UTAH 6061 and 6062. Utah is a remarkably beautiful place, and we’re grateful to have experienced what this great state has to offer. Special thanks go to Mike Manwiller and the Heber Valley Railroad for their hospitality during our visit. We found out firsthand why the Heber Valley is considered to be one of the premier tourist railroads in the United States.
A very special thanks goes to the House family for allowing us the opportunity to ride and document their wedding train.
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[@timslager5966]

Thanks for another great video especially highlighting both the B & M and MEC, brings back childhood memories seeing those units👍👍

[@CVisionProductions1]

You’re very welcome! Those heritage GP9s were neat to see! We’re happy that this video was enjoyable for you. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@bensipiorski6645]

Another awesome video. Definitely the two GP9s are away from their homes on the east coast. Hopefully soon we can see UP 618 and GWR 75 back in operation soon.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Ben! And yes, it would be awesome to see more of the Heber Valley’s equipment in service. We appreciate the comment.

[@nicholasmedovich8691]

@@CVisionProductions1would be nice to see a larger 2-8-2 or 2-10-2 for longer passenger trains.

[@kevinfranck6520]

That was really a fun ride. Virtually speaking of course.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Kevin! We enjoyed it as well. The Heber Valley Railroad is a class act. We highly recommend them as a vacation destination.

[@danielneeley5480]

Sounds like a Nathan M3. Very awesome horn! (1st train)

[@CVisionProductions1]

Nailed it! It sounded pretty darn good if you ask us. Thank you for pointing it out.

[@coasternamegenerator5611]

‘Tis indeed a M3. That and the A200 are actually historically closer to their original condition than when they served on the Pan Am, the railroad that gave each loco their color schemes.

[@BOATNIAGARA]

Pretty little railway line , good video !

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you!!! And yes, the Heber Valley operates through some spectacular country! It really shows off the scenic splendor of Utah.

[@newenglandfantasypainthobbies]

I’m glad 52 and 77 are still in there heritage colors! I remember me and my dad seeing them on the Guilford Rail System/Pan Am!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Well, they wore those heritage schemes when this footage was captured in June of 2020. They looked great! Thank you for watching the video.

[@newenglandfantasypainthobbies]

@@CVisionProductions1 You make great content! Keep up the great work!

[@CVisionProductions1]

We’ll try our best. Thank you!!!

[@dr.myater]

As of 2024 (last i checked) 52, Originally B&M 1726, has been repainted into Heber Valley's Rio Grande Scheme and now is 5926, the 59 being D&RGW Designation for GP9s and the 26 is from the Original Number, 77 has Similar Plans and will become 5938, HVRR also has a UP GP9 that will soon get Repainted dont know to what tho, and a VIA FP9, all Running I believe

[@CVisionProductions1]

@dr.myater Thank you for the detailed information. It is very much appreciated.

[@remylopez4821]

Congratulations on the wedding. I guess she got her way. If it would’ve been my way it would’ve been on the platform of the locomotive.😎

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you on behalf of the House family! And yes, she did. Sandy is a great gal. Jim was also very pleased with how things turned out. The Heber Valley went above and beyond here. We appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@railyardfilms6491]

Awesome

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you very much!!! We’re glad that you enjoyed the video.

[@GEVOlutionCPKC]

Another breaking it friend awesome video🔝🫵🏼🚂🔝🫶🏼

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you so much! We appreciate you watching the video.

[@Bosslifebiz661]

Another good one!! 🚀🚀

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you very much!!! We’re glad that you enjoyed the video.

[@davidpoor8638]

I ran both those units when they were B&M 1726 and 1738 before they were painted like this. Pan AM did "rebuild" them long ago but when I ran them they were getting tired and they both were throwing oil out the exhaust stacks. The 52 (ex 1726) has been painted a D&RGW style paint scheme and now is numbered 5926. The 77 (ex 1738) status is unknown by me. Thank you for sharing this video!!

[@CVisionProductions1]

You’re very welcome! Thank you for sharing that information about the Heber Valley’s GP9s. We’re sure that the audience appreciates it as well. It’s nice to hear from someone who has hands-on experience with those particular locomotives.

[@mjrodriguez8670]

The Boston & Maine and Maine Central GP9 units look very out of place in Utah!

[@user-mr3ct1dm9p]

They look better than Guilford would have taken care of them.Guilford ruined RR'ing in New England.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Definitely not what you’d expect to find, that’s for sure! But it was nice to see these GP9s being well cared for. The Heber Valley is a top notch operation. Thanks, MJ!

[@coasternamegenerator5611]

They are repainting it to a Rio Grande Scheme

[@roskgo1193]

Awesome video! Yall shpuld definitely make a trip up north in utah and check out the malad local! Definitely a great line to document! If you need anyhelp knowing the schedule i know it by heart from growing up next to it!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you!!! And yes, the Malad branch would be something worth covering. We appreciate the idea, and also the offer for assistance.

[@roskgo1193]

@@CVisionProductions1 Anytime!

[@IdahoRailfan]

Utah railway 6061 is the only one left to not get repainted to the genesee and wyoming paint

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you for the update! They looked great as a matched pair. It’s unfortunate that can no longer happen. We appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@kpdvw]

sad that the entire route down Provo canyon to connect to UP main line in Pprovo is not been restored yet...

[@CVisionProductions1]

It would be pretty darn awesome if that could happen, but it’s probably not possible at this point. If you’ve heard anything to the contrary, we’d love to know! What a cool route that would be… Thank you for the comment.

[@andrewgray986]

there plans for Herber Valley to reconnect with the UP so they aren’t land locked anymore?

[@CVisionProductions1]

Hi, Andrew. We do not know of any plans to reconnect the line to the outside world. Although, it would be awesome if they did! Thanks for watching.

[@andrewgray986]

@@CVisionProductions1 thanks. would be a hellva lot easier for when they get new equipment in imo

[@CVisionProductions1]

You’re welcome. And yes, you’re absolutely right.

[@TheIronweed-vx5lg]

Too bad Heber cannot look for freight opportunities.

[@user-mr3ct1dm9p]

Why not??

[@CVisionProductions1]

They would if they could. As you may know, their trackage does not connect to the outside railroad world. At least they were able to save Heber City to Vivian Park. Thank you for watching the video.

[@dhdisprsmith2296]

Great video! It has so many connections to me. The B&M and MEC are two of my favorite railroads. I rode the B&M unit when it was a “bluebird” pulling freight. And Jim and Sandy are good friends, and I see their son John in the video along with ex-CP/SOO Line dispatcher Jay Koosman and his wife (Jay moved to the MRL about the same time Jim did). I need to put the Heber on my bucket list.

[@CVisionProductions1]

@dhdisprsmith2296 Thanks, Gordy! And yes, a few familiar faces were seen in this video!

[@SPRailfan4449]

Great video! Keep up the great work! ❤️👍🫡

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you very much!!! We’ll do our best!