By JONATHAN BURTON
jonathan@du2.byu.edu
People plugged their ears as engine 618 fired out steam and slowly began rolling down the tracks.
The engine, built in 1907, has been taking passengers up and down Provo Canyon for years.
The Heber Valley Railroad, formerly nicknamed the 'Heber Creeper' has attracted tourists from all over the world to come visit its unique steam-driven train.
'There's nowhere else in the state where you can ride a steam engine,' said Steve Weber, retail sales manager.
Emily Call and Joey Bentzley, University of Utah students, made the drive from Salt Lake to ride the train.
'It was gorgeous. We wanted to get out for the weekend,' Call said.
Bentzley said it was really relaxing.
'The instructor said it would go about as fast as a bicycle. He was right,' Bentzley said.
In a book about the 'Heber Creeper,' Stephen L. Carr writes about how slow the train really was.
'It was so slow that a newly-wed couple boarded the train in Provo and had their first child as the train pulled into the Heber station,' Carr said in his book.
Tradition and history are a big part of the Heber Valley Railroad.
'The rails reached Heber City on September 29, 1899,' Carr wrote. 'Within a short time, there was enough traffic to warrant two trains arriving and leaving town each day.'
The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad took over the line in 1921 and not only used the track to transport people, but also livestock. Moving livestock was one of the train's main uses, said John Rimmasch, the fireman at Heber Valley Railroad.
'In its day, it was the largest sheep railway line in the U.S.,' Rimmasch said.
'During the 1930's, more sheep were shipped from the Heber depot than from any other railroad station in the nation,' Carr wrote.
Craig Drury has been the engineer at Heber Valley Railroad for 28 years.
'It's been a lifetime pursuit -- something I've always liked,' Drury said. 'The greatest reward is being a part of the equipment and relating to the machine. You have to live this, the whole experience.'
Drury does live the railroad experience, driving the train down Provo Canyon from Heber City to Vivian Park several times each day.
It brings to life many things that are gone, skills that are no longer in the marketplace,' Drury said.
The round-trip journey takes about three and a half hours and will take passengers through some beautiful scenery, Rimmasch said.
'You can see every type of Utah scenery: sagebrush, aspen, pinetrees, rivers and cliffs. In my opinion, this is the epitome of Utah scenery,' Rimmasch said.
According to Weber, some BYU groups have found different ways to enjoy the scenic ride.
'One of the most fun things we've done is BYU dances on the train,' Weber said.
Students brought their music and danced on the open-air cars as the train made its way down the canyon, Weber said.
Whether it's dancing or sight-seeing, everyone seems to enjoy the history that comes with the Heber Valley Railroad.
'What makes this fun is seeing the people's fascination,' said Craig Lacey, Executive Director. 'Adults change into kids when they ride the train.'
The Heber Valley Railroad brings back a piece of history that has been lost, riding trains, Rimmasch said.
'This train preserves rail travel. Our grandparents talk about his way of travel, but our kids just don't know about it,' Rimmasch said.
All are invited to come and enjoy the beauty of the ride and the history of the train called the 'Heber Creeper.'
For more information, call the Heber Valley Railroad at (435) 654-5601.