Car No. 403, an old trolley car that once rumbled along tracks between Salt Lake City and Ogden, will soon be pressed into service on the Heber Valley Historic Railroad.
The orangish-yellow car was pulled by an electrically powered engine but was retired to museums when the Bamberger Electric Railroad ceased operations in 1952.The car, which had baggage and smoking compartments, is being restored to operate on the nonprofit Heber railroad, which began operating in May.
"It's the last one of its kind," said Ken McConnell, chairman of railroad authority. The railroad plans to re-create the luxurious trolley car of the Bamberger Electric Railroad Era, 1917-1939.
"Those cars had drapes in the windows, soft upholstered seats and carpets down the aisles," he said. They were designed to be durable and provide a comfortable ride to the passengers riding the rails along the Wasatch Front. The rail line began operating in 1891.
Dr. Stephen L. Carr, a Sandy pediatrician and railroad history buff, is researching the color schemes used on Bamberger line coaches to make sure the restoration is as authentic as possible, McConnell said.
Car No. 403 was built by the Jewett Car Co. of Newark, Ohio, and was delivered to the Bamberger company in 1910.
When Bamberger ended its rail passenger service and sold off its bus operations in 1952, Car No. 403 went to the Sons of the Utah Pioneers for display at the Sugarhouse Pioneer Museum and later was transferred to a museum in Box Elder County.
Since 1979, the car has been on display at the Heber Creeper Railroad yard in Heber City.