Newspaper Items
Utah Central (1869-1889)
This page was last updated on March 21, 2004
6 October 1869
News received from Mr. Little, assistant superintendent of the Utah Central
Railroad, is that the track has been laid across the Weber River bridge in
Ogden. The crossing, for the U. C. track across that of the U. P., arrived.
yesterday, as did two small cars, horse-drawn, intended for the carrying of
rail in the tracklaying work. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 6 October 1869)
14 October 1869
Brigham returned from Ogden last evening; while up there, he saw "…the
first locomotive on the first railroad built and owned by the people of this
territory…" for which purpose he apparently went up in the first place.
Item reports that track is laid for about three miles beyond (i.e., south) of
the Weber bridge, and is progressing at about half a mile per day. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 14 October
1869)
20 November 1869
Item by telegraph, says Utah Central rails laid to Kaysville last evening. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 20 November
1869)
3 December 1869
Excursion on the Utah Central - Brigham Young, George A. Smith, Daniel H.
Wells, John Taylor, George Q. Cannon, John Sharp, John H. Smith and others -
took buggy to Farmington, and thence to Ogden by rail, "…in a fine new
passenger car belonging to the Utah Central Company." This trip was on
Wednesday, December 1, 1869. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 3 December 1869)
23 December 1869
Utah Central tracklaying south from Farmington began yesterday. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 23 December
1869)
3 January 1870
The Utah Central desires to hire an engine from the U.P., to assist with the
work at present.
The Utah Central timetable/ad from 6 December 1869, first regular schedule.
From a summary of 1869 events, the following:
Tracklaying on U.C. began on 22 September 1869;
Completed to Kaysville on 13 November 1869;
First excursion over the Utah Central was on 21 November 1869. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 3 January 1870)
8 January 1870
Utah Central track is all completed, except for the ceremonial last rail, and
some yard tracks; the last rail to be laid with much to-do on Monday, 10 January 1870. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening
News, 8 January 1870)
12 January 1870
New Utah Central timetable, on and after 12 January 1870, service Salt Lake
City to Ogden, fare one way is $2.00. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 12 January 1870)
15 January 1870
Item shows that there are two engines in service on the Utah Central, but it
does not say that they are both U. C. Engines; one may be U.P. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 15 January
1870)
26 January 1870
On Monday the 24th the editor went down to the Utah Central depot - two new
passenger cars, just in from the east, built expressly for the Utah Central by
the New Haven Car Co., New Haven, Connecticut. Interiors are paneled in polished
bird's-eye maple and black walnut; head liners ('tapestry') are brightly
colored; seats covered in crimson plush, backs in green. Cars came via Chicago.
(Pitchard, Ogden Junction, 26 January
1870)
31 January 1870
J. A. Ursenbach has painted a picture of Utah Central No. 1 on the Weber River
bridge in Ogden. (Pitchard, Deseret
Evening News, 31 January 1870)
8 February 1870
Item on the excursion, of Monday the 7th, mentions that the Utah Central
excursion left Ogden at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, but makes no mention
of the [new] engines arriving. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 8 February 1870)
9 February 1870
Paper says the new Utah Central engines, 3 and 4, cost $12,000 each. Reference
is made later in the item to "the two new locomotives"; if there was
a new number 2 received, neither paper mentions it. (Pitchard, Ogden Junction, 9 February 1870)
10 February 1870
"New Engines for the U.C. -- We learn from the Ogden Junction, that just
as the excursion train was starting on its return trip on Monday afternoon, a
Union Pacific freight train hove in sight, with two new engines attached; which
proved to be No's. 3 and 4, for the Utah Central Railroad. They were built at
the locomotive Works of McQueen & Co., of Schenectady, N.Y., at a cost of
$12,000." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening
News, 10 February 1870)
17 February 1870
Utah Central Railroad Timetable #4, in effect 21 February 1870 (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 17 February
1870)
19 February 1871
"Snow Plow. -- A snow plow, the invention of C. L. Ericson, civil engineer
of this city, patent applied for, and manufactured by P. W. Gates, of the
Chicago Eagle Works, has arrived at the U. C. depot. We saw the first plow made
of this pattern nearly two years ago in Chicago. And the curious in such
matters will enjoy an inspection of it. The plow weighs about 20,000 lbs."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 19 February
1871)
9 September 1871
Utah Central and Utah Southern have entered into contract to haul ore on a
through rate of $35.00 per car load between Sandy station and Ogden,
northbound. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening
News, 9 September 1871)
5 April 1872
March earnings, Utah Central:
March 1870 - $6,518.89
March 1871 - 418,740.96
March 1872 - $26,832.21 (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 5 April 1872)
7 May 1872
April earnings, Utah Central:
April 1871 - $25,675.58
April 1872 - $29,479.59 (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 7 May 1872)
13 August 1872
"Railway Progress in Utah." "The Union Pacific railroad appears
to be thoroughly aroused to the value and necessity of building feeders to the
main line,… It is largely interested in the Utah Central and Southern roads,
and will undoubtedly sooner or later own them entirely." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 13 August
1872)
7 November 1872
"A Splendid Locomotive. -- A very fine locomotive, weighing thirty-one
tons, has just been received by the U. C. R. R. Company, from the manufactory
of Hinkley and Williams, Boston, Mass. It has a cylinder of 16 x 24 inches. The
engineer's cab is of beautifully polished black walnut, and on the whole it
presents to the view as fine a looking piece of mechanism as a person need wish
to see. It is engine number six of the Utah Central company, and Hinkley &
Williams' number on it is 1120. This magnificent engine cost, at the factory in
Boston, $14,000. The new steam horse makes its first trip under the auspices of
the U. C. company on their line tomorrow." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 7 November 1872")
9 November 1872
An item repeating one in the Deseret News, regarding the recently arrived Utah
Central Railroad engine No. 6, from Hinkley & Williams, which also repeats
the builder's number of the engine, 1120. This item notes the engine weighs 31
tons, or five tons more than any of the other engines of the U. C. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 9 November
1872)
24 April 1873
Another item on C. L. Ericson's snowplow. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 24 April 1873)
27 August 1873
An article on the Utah Central machine shops, etc., on the depot block in Salt
Lake City, wherein at present 'an ordinary passenger car' is being rebuilt into
a 'saloon car.' On the next block north is located the carpenter's shop, a
building 40' x 120' in which at present a new baggage car, 45' long, is being
built. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald,
27 August 1873)
14 March 1874
General description of the Utah Central Railroad machine shop. (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 14 March
1874)
21 March 1874
During February, 1874, Utah Central received 98,430 pounds railroad material,
and forwarded 523,300 pounds railroad material (locomotives, cars, rail, etc.).
(Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 21 March
1874)
11 April 1874
During March, 1874, Utah Central received 191,720 pounds railroad material, and
forwarded no railroad material. (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 11 April 1874)
16 May 1874
During April 1874, Utah Central received 61,900 pounds railroad material. (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 16 May 1874)
20 June 1874
During May 1874, Utah Central received 38,200 pounds railroad material. (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 20 June
1874)
18 July 1874
During June, 1874, Utah Central received 112,850 pounds railroad material. (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 18 July
1874)
2 April 1876
The Utah Central is putting up an iron bridge across the Weber in Ogden; it is
from the American Bridge Company. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 2 April 1876)
6 April 1876
"The Utah Central Iron Bridge," which is 155 feet long, 14 feet wide
in the clear on the inside, and a span of 152 feet between the abutments. It is
being erected on top of the old wooden pile bridge, the work of assembling the
new iron bridge having begun on Friday, 31 March, and it is expected to be
completed this week. John Rumsey and his assistant, Mr. Tyton, from the
American Bridge Company, are here to oversee the work of putting the new bridge
up. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 6 April
1876)
12 April 1876
John Sharp says the new iron bridge of the Utah Central over the Weber at Ogden
is to be completed to-day, in time for the evening train due in from Salt Lake
City. (Pitchard, Ogden Junction, 12 April
1876)
3 May 1876
The Utah Central's iron bridge is now believed to be secured, and it is hoped
that before long trains will be able to cross over it in safety. (Pitchard, Ogden Junction, 3 May 1876)
24 May 1878
New Utah Central office in Ogden moved, bodily, now on south side of the
tracks, on a line east-west with the Utah Central depot. (Pitchard, Ogden Junction, 24 May 1878)
7 January 1880
"Our Railroads," Utah Central has six locomotives, seven passenger
cars, five baggage, mail and express cars, and 42 freight cars. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 January 1880)
22 February 1880
"Accident on the Central" last evening, in that U.C. #5 derailed on a
switch and went on her side, in Salt Lake; brakeman John Fife was at first
thought to be seriously injured, but not a bone broken, which was quite a
surprise to all (and especially Fife!), as he had ended up under the engine. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 February 1880)
26 May 1880
Letter from Ogden, dated 25th - "The Union Pacific train last evening
brought in a new baggage car for service between Ogden and Salt Lake upon the
Utah Central. As this car is provided with Miller platforms, Westinghouse air
brakes and all modern improvements, it is surmised that the Utah Central will
soon have a full train of cars supplied with all these important details of
comfort and safety." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 26 May 1880)
27 June 1880
"The Utah Central Company have let a contract for a new roundhouse 270 by
60 feet, to be built of brick, iron and stone. A machine shop 93 by 35 feet, of
the same materials, is also to be constructed." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 June 1880)
10 July 1880
A letter from Ogden, dated the 9th - "Utah Central Railroad
Improvements," being the new 12-stall roundhouse, having stalls 68 feet
long inside, front wall 81' 7"; and back wall 264 feet, both on a curve;
the roundhouse to be jointly used by the Utah Central and the Utah Southern
roads. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 10 July 1880)
9 December 1880
"The U. C. roundhouse has been completed and is being occupied." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 9 December 1880)
12 December 1880
"The Round House" for the Utah Central in Salt Lake City is completed
and now being occupied. It is a brick building, 68 feet deep, with a front 145
feet wide and back 264 feet wide. The front is of cast iron columns and arches,
made at the U. C. shops foundry. The roof and its supporting columns are also
of iron, and the building is thought to be fireproof. It has 12 stalls for engines.
A machine shop 34' x 105' is attached. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 12 December 1880)
"The big engine 'Mogul,' which is to be used on the heavy grade between Milford and Frisco, and which has been undergoing repairs at the Utah Central Railroad shops, was turned out on Saturday, and started south to resume its labors." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 12 December 1880)
1 January 1881
The new 12-stall Utah Central roundhouse in Salt Lake City has just been
completed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 1 January 1881)
26 March 1881
The February payroll on the Utah Central, Utah Southern and the Extension
Company was distributed as follows:
| U. C. | U. S. | U. S. Ex. | |
| General officers | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Agents, clerks & telegraph operators | 19 | 9 | 5 |
| Warehousemen | 13 | 8 | 2 |
| Engineers, firemen and wipers | 24 | 20 | 28 |
| Conductors, baggage and train men | 19 | 10 | 14 |
| Machinists and car repairers | 67 | 0 | 10 |
| Foundrymen | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Painters | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Carpenters | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Track men | 28 | 83 | 123 |
| 207 | 132 | 184 |
Total, on the three roads, 523 employees.
9 June 1881
Item from Salt Lake Herald on new Utah Central baggage car nearly finished; and
new Pullman coaches en route for that line. (Pitchard, Ogden Herald, 9 June 1881)
29 June 1881
Utah Central #7, 'a powerful new locomotive from the Tweed works', was taken to
Salt Lake City last night. (Pitchard, Ogden Herald, 29 June 1881)
19 July 1881
Has printed copy of Utah Central Railway Timetable No 1, effective 20 July
1881. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune,
19 July 1881) (ed. note: This would be for the newly combined Utah Central,
Utah Southern, and Utah Southern Extension, all recently controlled by UP.)
3 August 1881
The new Pullman coaches on the Utah Central were first used in regular service
on Tuesday, August 2, 1881. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 3 August 1881)
4 August 1881
New Pullman coaches in use on the Utah Central. (Pitchard, Ogden Herald, 4 August 1881)
14 September 1881
An article on the Utah Central adopting the Eames Vacuum Brake. (Pitchard, Ogden Herald, 14 September 1881)
12 October 1881
Articles of incorporation for the 'Pleasant Valley Branch of the Utah Central
Railway' were filed on Monday the 10th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 12 October 1881)
11 November 1881
The Utah Central has built a new pay car, which made its first trip yesterday,
Thursday, going south. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 11 November 1881)
13 April 1882
"The Utah Central received a new locomotive last night. It arrived here a
few minutes before 11 o'clock." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 13 April 1882)
20 April 1882
An item on the court battle between the Utah Central and the Utah &
Pleasant Valley, over right-of-way in Spanish Fork canyon; the item indicates
that detailed maps of the U&PV were filed with the court records. If so,
they are now gone. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 20 April 1882)
12 May 1882
"The engine which hauls granite from the depot to the Temple Block ran off
the track on Thursday morning just as it was coming out of the south gate. It
ran against the wall, and knocked a portion down. The engine was soon
righted." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Herald, 12 May 1882)
25 May 1882
Utah Central Railway will have a new timetable as of 1 June 1882. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 25 May
1882)
4 July 1882
"A new postal car for the Utah Central has arrived from Omaha." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 July
1882)
11 July 1882
The pay car lately built by the Utah Central has a kitchen, sleeping
accommodations, etc. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 11 July 1882)
20 August 1882
The Utah Central has, at various points, some 50 miles of secondhand iron
stacked up, all of it rail taken up from the main line when it was relaid
recently with steel rails. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 August 1882)
5 October 1882
The Utah Central is tearing down their old enginehouse at the foot of 5th
street (now 25th Street) in Ogden, it having been replaced already by a new one
located near the Weber river bridge. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 October 1882)
24 November 1882
Railroad Racket: "The Utah Central have just completed a freight and
passenger depot at Spanish Fork."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 24 November 1882)
8 December 1882
Railroad Chat: "The new iron bridge over the Timpanogos (Provo) river, on
the Utah Central railroad, was completed yesterday, and the first train passed
over last evening. The structure is said to have stood the test admirably, and
the officers of the road are well pleased with the work." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 8 December 1882)
4 January 1883
Railroad Chat: "A new ten-wheel locomotive, to haul freight on the Utah
Central road between. Ogden and Juab, was received at the company's depot in
this city this morning." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 4 January 1883)
4 January 1883
"The Utah Central Railway Company received a new engine last
evening." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 4 January 1883)
5 January 1883
"The Utah Central has received a new locomotive, No. 21, which is a ten
wheel engine of the heavy freight pattern." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 January 1883)
24 January 1883
"The Utah Central machine shops in this city have in process of
construction a powerful locomotive, the iron having been produced at Ogden.
This is only a starter; let the good work go on." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 24 January 1883)
26 January 1883
"Home Made Locomotive." "At the Utah Central machine shops a
locomotive is being made for use on the road. It is proposed to make one that
will have greater speed than any now in use by the company. In accordance with this
purpose the driving wheels are made a foot larger in diameter. The last of the
four wheels was cast yesterday at the U. C. foundry. They are of iron obtained
from the Ogden Iron Works, the metal produced there being of a superior quality
for this purpose. When finished, it will be a genuine home production.
--Deseret News." (Pitchard, Utah
Journal, Logan, 26 January 1883)
10 February 1883
Railroad Chat: "Utah Central freight engine No. 9, which left Provo at
6:50 o'clock this morning, and to which a train of freight cars was attached,
became disabled at Lehi Junction through the bursting of the blow-out valve. A
locomotive was dispatched from this city at 10:15 o'clock to bring the train
through." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Evening Chronicle, 10 February 1883)
21 February 1883
Wednesday - Utah Central Rwy. Timetable #3, in effect February 20, 1883,
published in today's paper for the first time - just shows passenger trains, 1
& 2 thru to Frisco, 3 & 4 to Juab. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 21 February 1883)
4 March 1883
Utah Central Timetable #3, effective February 20, 1883, nicely printed in
paper. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 4 March 1883)
27 March 1883
Utah Central item mentions that a new boiler being made just now, for the new
locomotive being built in the UC shops -- will have 5' 10" drivers, frame,
etc., already built. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 27 March 1883)
29 March 1883
Item from Deseret Evening News, on new engine being built in UC shops;
cylinders have been cast in the shops, have a 17-inch bore. (Pitchard, Ogden Herald, 29 March 1883)
1 June 1883
"Utah Central Shops," where construction of the new locomotive is
still in progress. The frame, cylinders and wheels are done, the boiler nearly
so. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 June 1883)
1 July 1883
A new timetable goes into effect this date on the Utah Central Rwy. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 1 July
1883)
7 July 1883
The Utah Central's train dispatcher's office has been removed from the general
office building (next to the Deseret National Bank), and is now located near
the depot, "in the building formerly used as the office of the
superintendent of the road." The dispatchers are D. J. Spencer and James
Clinton. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Herald, 7 July 1883)
31 July 1883
The Utah Central is going to automatic air brakes, to replace the inferior
system now in use. (see Ogden Herald, September 14, 1881) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 31 July 1883) (ed. note: UC had
tried the Eames vaccum brake in 1881.)
14 August 1883
"The plans and-specifications for the new Utah Central passenger depot are
out and indicate that the pioneer road proposes to get up a fine appearing
building." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Herald, 14 August 1883)
2 September 1883
Utah Central Engine No. 11, passenger, has just been completed an overhaul, and
fitted with automatic air brakes. Engineer is Robert Butt, who took the engine
out yesterday for a trial, and in regular service today. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 September 1883)
29 September 1883
A new timetable will go into effect on the Utah Central Railway on the 1st of October, 1883. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Herald, 29 September 1883)
10 October 1883
A letter, signed "Justice," commenting upon an old lady who was run
over and killed by a Utah Central train, sometime in late September, notes that
"the engine running the train was No. 7, a very light engine with a vacuum
brake,…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Herald, 10 October 1883)
17 November 1883
And a new timetable in effect 20 November 1883 on the Utah Central. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 17 November 1883)
9 March 1884
"On Monday the Utah Central will change time table No. 8,…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 9 March
1884)
24 April 1884
"Chips" "The old engine shed in the U. C. railroad depot has
been demolished and gives the southern part of the depot block quite a vacant
appearance." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Herald, 24 April 1884)
30 April 1884
Utah Central Rwy. Timetable #10, in effect 5:00am, 1 May 1884. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 April
1884)
8 May 1884
The Utah Central to build a new passenger depot in Salt Lake City. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 May
1884)
15 May 1884
The Utah Central piledriver is in service on the San Pete Valley, rebuilding
bridges. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 15 May 1884)
2 August 1884
Utah Central timetable #13 effective today. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 August 1884)
3 September 1884
"The roof is now on the Utah Central depot. It must be borne in mind the
portion completed is just one wing of the structure." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 3 September 1884)
6 September 1884
Utah Central Timetable #14 to take effect on Monday the 8th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 September 1884)
7 January 1885
Utah Central Railway timetable 418 took effect this morning. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 7 January 1885)
3 September 1885
Utah Central is building a new passenger car shed in Salt Lake City. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 September 1885)
1 January 1887
"The Utah Central on its 283 miles of road operates 17 locomotives, but
has 20 in all. Five of them are 40 ton engines, the balance are 27 and 30 ton
engines. Road also has 22 passenger cars, eight baggage cars, seven caboose
cars and 480 freight cars. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1887)
16 September 1887
"The Utah Central road has closed its Frisco freight, ticket and telegraph
offices, as they don't pay. Trains will run up there from Milford just the
same, but all the clerical work will be done either at Milford or by the
conductors." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 16 September 1887)
13 October 1887
Utah Central engine No. 5 broken down on a passenger train recently. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 13 October
1887)
29 January 1888
Utah Central Railway Timetable #34 in effect 28 January 1888. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 29 January 1888)
7 December 1888
New Utah Central Timetable #38, on 9 December 1888. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 7 December 1888)
31 December 1889
"Ogden" column: "The Utah Central, leaving Ogden yesterday
morning, carried to Salt Lake two coaches and two locomotives for the Utah
Western railroad." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Herald, 31 December 1889)
