We awoke at the Days Inn in Laramie and after taking breakfast back to the room, we packed up and checked out. We drove downtown to the Laramie Union Pacific station and LaBonte Park.
The Laramie Union Pacific station built in 1924.
The Laramie Union Pacific station emblem. In LaBonte Park the Union Pacific has a train display.
The train on display.
Union Pacific snow plow 900015, built by the Union Pacific in 1959 and originally numbered 015. It was built from Tender 12-C-115 in December 1953 in Pocatello, Idaho, and was used to clear lines over Sherman Summit and other places in the Rocky Mountains. In May 1959, the railroad renumbered the plow 900015, at which time it appears to have been working in western Nebraska. It was then stationed in Wyoming in early 1979. The Wyoming Colorado Railroad bought the UP's Coalmont Branch in November 1987 at which time it also acquired 900015. On January 8th, 1989 the plow derailed at Fox Park, Wyoming, sustaining serious structural damage. It was not repaired and returned to Laramie to be stored in the railroad yard. The City of Laramie bought the plow in early 2011.
Union Pacific 2-8-0 535 built by Baldwin in 1903 as Oregon Short Line 975. In 1936, 535 was leased to the Union Pacifc. After conversion to oil in September 1952, 535 served on the UP Coalmont Branch between Laramie and Coalmont, Colorado, and in the Laramie area hauling freight, pulling excursion trains and working in the yards. The following year, 535 was renumbered 6535. It last operated in the Laramie area in 1957 and was finally retired in 1958. It was donated to the City of Laramie in 1959 and placed on display in LaBonte Park. Wasatch Railroad Contractors and Black Hills Trucking moved it to its current location in Railroad Heritage Park in February 2011.
Union Pacific bunk car started as automobile car 152456, built by the Ralston Steel Car Company in Columbus, Ohio in 1929. In 1937, it was renumbered 176163 and served throughout the Union Pacific system, carrying a variety of freight in addition to vehicles. In 1955, it was converted to non-revenue, six-man bunk car 06778, including installing windows and a door and remodelling the interior with sleeping accommodation, a cooking area and restroom. In 1957, it was renumbered 906778. The car was sold for scrap in October 1976 and was subsequently bought by the Wyoming Colorado Railroad. It stood in the Laramie yard until about 1987, when it was converted into the ticket office for the railroad's passenger excursion trains and received its present paint scheme, security grilles and decorative wood panels. WYCO's excursion trains ceased in 1996 and the car was sold for scrap in 2008. The following year, a local campaign raised funds to buy the car from the salvager and donate it to the City of Laramie.
Union Pacific caboose 25232 built by the Union Pacific in 1952 as 3936. In June 1959, it was renumbered 25232. It ended its life in Marysville, Kansas and was retired in May 1986. It then became the Laramie Visitor Information Center for the Chamber of Commerce, with its interior remodeled for office purposes, until at least 2006. It was moved along with the other stock to Railroad Heritage Park in 2011. From here we drove US 30 West to our next stop at Medicine Bow.
Ubion Pacific Medicine Bow station buit in 1912.
Rock Island caboose 17088, built by International Car in 1966 and lettered as Union Pacific 24506. From here we continued west of US 30.
Large windmill farm west of Medicine Bow.
Further west two Union Pacific trains meet each other. From here we went to Walcott where we took Interstate 80 west to Rawlins.
Union Pacific caboose 25617, built by International Car in 1967 in Rawlins.
Union Pacific Rawlins station built in 1901. Next we went to Tully Park.
Union Pacific 2-8-0 533 built by Baldwin in 1903 as Oregon Short Line 973. In 1936, 533 was leased to the Union Pacific Railroad and in 1958, was donated to the City of Rawlins, and went on display on West Elm Street. From here we took Interstate 80 west to Exit 187 then Wyoming 789 south to Colorado where it became Highway 13. Almost to Craig, a Craig Police Car pulled out at speed in front of us just missing us. We went on in to town and parked across the street from the Moffat Car. A few minutes later, the same police car that almost hit us pulled up and officer came up to us and asked if we wanted file an incident report with his police department. We said No! As we did not want to get him in trouble and that was the last thing on our minds. He thanked us then drove off.
The Moffat Car DisplayThe "Marcia Car" on display in the Craig city park, and available for viewing and tours. Completely restored, the car was David Moffat's private business car bought in 1906, named after his daughter.
David Moffat's private business car, "Marcia" built by Pullman in 1906.
Elizabeth took a picture of me because this was the last listing in the Colorado section in the Tourist Trains Guide Book that I needed. Another state completed. We decided to see what was in the yard in Craig. As we crossed the tracks did I get a surprise.
The Craig Rio Grande station, built in 1917, is still standing but has a hole in the northwest corner of the building. We drove to Subway where Elizabeth got us lunch. We then headed west out US 40 heading towards Heber City, Utah our destination for the day.
A cloud with a face. Later we found the Deseret Power Railway and found a road to it so we waited for 45 minutes for a train.
Our photo location looking both ways. No train showed up so we managed to follow the line west for quite a way.
Near the western end of the railroad I took this pair of pictures. We then went west on US 40.
Views along US 40 in Utah.
The Hideout Steakhouse in Myton is where we had dinner. I had tri-tip and Elizabeth enjoyed smoked chicken. Both meals were quite delicious. From here we continued on US 40.
The Survivor Reservoir. After that, we climbed over Daniels Pass at 7,400 feet before descending into the Heber valley which was very smokey and we arrived into Heber City, checking into the Holiday Inn Express and getting a very nice room. I wrote the story and Elizabeth proofed it. Then we relaxed the rest of the evening.
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