From the east, Union Pacific reaches Ogden through 40-mile Weber Canyon (pronounced “WEE-ber.”) It’s one of two Utah hot spots profiled in Kalmbach Publishing’s Guide to North American Railroad Hot Spots by TRAINS Senior Editor J. David Ingles. Read below:
Description:
This is the double-track, ABS-controlled main line of the Union Pacific through the northern Wasatch Mountains, part of the original transcontinental main completed in 1869. Now part of UP’s Evanston Subdivision from Ogden east to Green River, Wyo.
Two tracks are grade-separated between Ogden and Gateway, and between Emory and Wahsatch.
The right-of-way follows the Weber River from Ogden to Echo, and Echo Creek to Wahsatch.
The last passenger service was Amtrak’s Chicago-Portland Pioneer, discontinued in 1997.
Typical motive power:
Any motive power Union Pacific owns is likely to show up on freights.
Peak operating hours:
Varies on a day-to-day basis, but usually spread evenly during a 24-hour period. Trains often fleeted.
Approximate daily train frequency:
25 to 40 freights per day, including intermodal, automotive, and unit grain and coal trains.
Radio frequencies:
Road channel: 160.515 (AAR 51)
Ogden Yard: 160.350 (AAR 16) and 160.410 (AAR 20)
Nearby points of interest:
The Utah State Railroad Museum is in Ogden Union Station (2501 Wall Ave., Ogden).
Also, the Golden Spike National Historic Site is at Promontory Summit, approximately 50 miles northwest of Ogden.
Remarks:
Scenic highlights include the Gateway/Sheepherder Tunnel, Devils Slide, and Cliffs of Echo Canyon.
Access between East Riverdale (Ogden) and Henefer is generally limited to I-84 exits. The old highway still parallels the railroad between Henefer and Emory. There is poor access between Emory and Wahsatch.
At Curvo (63 miles east of Ogden), main-line tracks cross over each other (site of UP publicity photos). Because of this trains run left-handed between Curvo and Ogden.
Food and lodging can be found in Ogden and Evanston, Wyo., along with convenience stores at Morgan, Peterson, and Henefer.
Safety considerations:
Interstate exits offer decent photo opportunities. Access east of Emory, however, is difficult without trespassing on private or railroad property.
Contributor: Dave Gayer
Rio Grande Modeling & Historical Society
Utah Rails, the vast, comprehensive rail history site of Don Strack
Get track charts of the D&RGW on-line!
News, timetables, maps, and more
Information on numerous D&RGW locations
Many contemporary photographs of the D&RGW
And don’t miss TRAINS Magazine’s guided tour of the parallel Union Pacific and Rio Grande rail lines between Ogden and Salt Lake City – hosted by a locomotive engineer who worked the territory. Featured in the March 2003 issue of TRAINS Magazine.
Thanks for including the fact that it is pronounced WEEber.. WE say WEEber. And it is a great area to watch trains. The track is about 2 miles from my house.