Savage Tooele Railroad: Difference between revisions
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The Western Pacific Railroad originally built the Warner Branch in 1917 to connect the Western Pacific to the [[Tooele Valley Railway]], accessing the traffic from the [[International Smelting and Refining Company]] plant in [[Tooele, Utah]].<ref name="Strack">{{cite web |url=https://utahrails.net/wp/wp-in-ut-branches.php |title=Western Pacific Branches in Utah |last=Strack |first=Don |date=December 5, 2023 |website=utahrails.net |publisher=Utah Rails |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> An interchange with the [[Tooele Army Depot]] was built in 1943 providing further traffic along the branch.<ref name="Strack"/> Following the merger between the Western Pacific Railroad and the [[Union Pacific Railroad]] the branch would be deemed surplus, and was largely abandoned. Rails were removed from Tooele to the unincorporated community of Marshall, Utah in 2003.<ref name="Strack"/> A significant portion of the right of way on the Tooele to Grantsville portion of the Warner Branch exists presently as the [[rail trail|Mid-Valley Trail]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tooelecountytrails.com/mid-valley_trail.html |title=Mid-Valley Trail |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=<!--Not stated--> |website=tooelecountytrails.com |publisher=Tooele Transcript Bulletin |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> |
The Western Pacific Railroad originally built the Warner Branch in 1917 to connect the Western Pacific to the [[Tooele Valley Railway]], accessing the traffic from the [[International Smelting and Refining Company]] plant in [[Tooele, Utah]].<ref name="Strack">{{cite web |url=https://utahrails.net/wp/wp-in-ut-branches.php |title=Western Pacific Branches in Utah |last=Strack |first=Don |date=December 5, 2023 |website=utahrails.net |publisher=Utah Rails |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> An interchange with the [[Tooele Army Depot]] was built in 1943 providing further traffic along the branch.<ref name="Strack"/> Following the merger between the Western Pacific Railroad and the [[Union Pacific Railroad]] the branch would be deemed surplus, and was largely abandoned. Rails were removed from Tooele to the unincorporated community of Marshall, Utah in 2003.<ref name="Strack"/> A significant portion of the right of way on the Tooele to Grantsville portion of the Warner Branch exists presently as the [[rail trail|Mid-Valley Trail]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tooelecountytrails.com/mid-valley_trail.html |title=Mid-Valley Trail |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=<!--Not stated--> |website=tooelecountytrails.com |publisher=Tooele Transcript Bulletin |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> |
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In 2020, the Romney Group and NorthPoint Development broke ground on the Lakeview Business Park, north of the [[Utah Motorsports Campus]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/northpoint-romney-group-unveil-over-1b-business-park-in-grantsville-utah-61694204 |title=NorthPoint, Romney Group unveil over $1B business park in Grantsville, Utah |last=Maqbool |first=Abdul |date=December 10, 2020 |website=spglobal.com |publisher=S&P Global |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> The Savage Tooele Railroad was founded as a [[common carrier]] railroad under parent company Savage (who operate the nearby [[Savage Bingham and Garfield Railroad]] in [[Salt Lake County]]) to restore and operate the Warner Branch to the business park and filed an appeal in 2021 with the Surface Transportation Board to begin construction of the railroad line.<ref name="FederalRegister"/><ref name="Trains">{{cite web |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/analysis-regulatory-overkill-stunts-potential-of-proposed-utah-rail-project/ |title=Analysis: Regulatory overkill stunts potential of proposed Utah rail project |last=Stephens |first=Bill |date=October 16, 2023 |website=Trains.com |publisher=Kalmbach Media |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> Motions to begin construction on the railroad were denied in 2021 and 2022, pending the completion of an environmental report which was finished in 2024, after a draft environmental report had been issued in 2023.<ref name="Trains"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stb.gov/news-communications/latest-news/pr-24-11/ |title=STB Issues Final Environmental Assessment for Proposed New Rail Line in Tooele County, Utah |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=March 1, 2024 |website=stb.gov |publisher=Surface Transportation Board |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/federal-regulators-issue-draft-environmental-report-for-proposed-utah-rail-spur/ |title=Federal regulators issue draft environmental report for proposed Utah rail spur |last=Stephens |first=Bill |date=October 2, 2023 |website=Trains.com |publisher=Kalmbach Media |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> |
In 2020, the Romney Group (owned by Josh Romney, son of Utah senator [[Mitt Romney]]) and NorthPoint Development broke ground on the Lakeview Business Park, north of the [[Utah Motorsports Campus]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/northpoint-romney-group-unveil-over-1b-business-park-in-grantsville-utah-61694204 |title=NorthPoint, Romney Group unveil over $1B business park in Grantsville, Utah |last=Maqbool |first=Abdul |date=December 10, 2020 |website=spglobal.com |publisher=S&P Global |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> The Savage Tooele Railroad was founded as a [[common carrier]] railroad under parent company Savage (who operate the nearby [[Savage Bingham and Garfield Railroad]] in [[Salt Lake County]]) to restore and operate the Warner Branch to the business park and filed an appeal in 2021 with the Surface Transportation Board to begin construction of the railroad line.<ref name="FederalRegister"/><ref name="Trains">{{cite web |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/analysis-regulatory-overkill-stunts-potential-of-proposed-utah-rail-project/ |title=Analysis: Regulatory overkill stunts potential of proposed Utah rail project |last=Stephens |first=Bill |date=October 16, 2023 |website=Trains.com |publisher=Kalmbach Media |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> The project was backed by Utah governor [[Spencer Cox (politician)|Spencer Cox]] and representatives [[John Curtis (Utah politician)|John Curtis]] and [[Chris Stewart (politician)|Chris Stewart]], but concerns were raised by the [[Environmental Protection Agency]] due to the railroad's proximity to [[wetlands]] near the [[Great Salt Lake]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2022/02/08/gov-cox-two-utah/ |title=Powerful Utah politicians back Tooele rail spur, but see why EPA and others are wary |last=Larsen |first=Leia |date=February 8, 2022 |website=sltrib.com |publisher=Salt Lake Tribune |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> Motions to begin construction on the railroad were denied in 2021 and 2022, pending the completion of an environmental report which was finished in 2024, after a draft environmental report had been issued in 2023.<ref name="Trains"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stb.gov/news-communications/latest-news/pr-24-11/ |title=STB Issues Final Environmental Assessment for Proposed New Rail Line in Tooele County, Utah |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=March 1, 2024 |website=stb.gov |publisher=Surface Transportation Board |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/federal-regulators-issue-draft-environmental-report-for-proposed-utah-rail-spur/ |title=Federal regulators issue draft environmental report for proposed Utah rail spur |last=Stephens |first=Bill |date=October 2, 2023 |website=Trains.com |publisher=Kalmbach Media |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> |
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In February 2024, the STB granted permission to the Union Pacific Railroad to restore the upper portion of the Warner Branch to service for interchange with the Savage Tooele Railroad.<ref name="Progressive">{{cite web |url=https://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/news/STB-approves-UP-request-to-restore-service-on-Utah-rail-line--71275 |title=STB approves UP request to restore service on Utah rail line |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=February 16, 2024 |website=progressiverailroading.com |publisher=Progressive Railroading |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> [[BNSF Railway]] had appealed for lengthier STB proceedings to allow access to interchange with the Savage Tooele Railroad via [[Arrangements between railroads|trackage rights]], however currently the STB has denied this appeal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/bnsf-tells-regulators-that-up-aims-to-block-interchange-access-to-proposed-utah-short-line/ |title=BNSF tells regulators that UP aims to block interchange access to proposed Utah short line |last=Stephens |first=Bill |date=December 14, 2023 |website=Trains.com |publisher=Kalmbach Media |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Progressive"/> Permission was granted by the STB for the Savage Tooele Railroad to begin construction from it's connection with the Union Pacific to the Lakeview Business Park in April of that year.<ref name="FederalRegister"/> |
In February 2024, the STB granted permission to the Union Pacific Railroad to restore the upper portion of the Warner Branch to service for interchange with the Savage Tooele Railroad.<ref name="Progressive">{{cite web |url=https://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/news/STB-approves-UP-request-to-restore-service-on-Utah-rail-line--71275 |title=STB approves UP request to restore service on Utah rail line |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=February 16, 2024 |website=progressiverailroading.com |publisher=Progressive Railroading |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref> [[BNSF Railway]] had appealed for lengthier STB proceedings to allow access to interchange with the Savage Tooele Railroad via [[Arrangements between railroads|trackage rights]], however currently the STB has denied this appeal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/bnsf-tells-regulators-that-up-aims-to-block-interchange-access-to-proposed-utah-short-line/ |title=BNSF tells regulators that UP aims to block interchange access to proposed Utah short line |last=Stephens |first=Bill |date=December 14, 2023 |website=Trains.com |publisher=Kalmbach Media |access-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref><ref name="Progressive"/> Permission was granted by the STB for the Savage Tooele Railroad to begin construction from it's connection with the Union Pacific to the Lakeview Business Park in April of that year.<ref name="FederalRegister"/> |
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Revision as of 15:53, 8 April 2024
| Savage Tooele Railroad | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Status | Under Construction |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
The Savage Tooele Railroad is a shortline railroad under construction along the former Western Pacific Railroad Warner Branch, to the Lakeview Business Park in Grantsville, Utah. Authorization from the Surface Transportation Board to build the railroad was given in April 2024.[1]
History
The Western Pacific Railroad originally built the Warner Branch in 1917 to connect the Western Pacific to the Tooele Valley Railway, accessing the traffic from the International Smelting and Refining Company plant in Tooele, Utah.[2] An interchange with the Tooele Army Depot was built in 1943 providing further traffic along the branch.[2] Following the merger between the Western Pacific Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad the branch would be deemed surplus, and was largely abandoned. Rails were removed from Tooele to the unincorporated community of Marshall, Utah in 2003.[2] A significant portion of the right of way on the Tooele to Grantsville portion of the Warner Branch exists presently as the Mid-Valley Trail.[3]
In 2020, the Romney Group (owned by Josh Romney, son of Utah senator Mitt Romney) and NorthPoint Development broke ground on the Lakeview Business Park, north of the Utah Motorsports Campus.[4] The Savage Tooele Railroad was founded as a common carrier railroad under parent company Savage (who operate the nearby Savage Bingham and Garfield Railroad in Salt Lake County) to restore and operate the Warner Branch to the business park and filed an appeal in 2021 with the Surface Transportation Board to begin construction of the railroad line.[1][5] The project was backed by Utah governor Spencer Cox and representatives John Curtis and Chris Stewart, but concerns were raised by the Environmental Protection Agency due to the railroad's proximity to wetlands near the Great Salt Lake.[6] Motions to begin construction on the railroad were denied in 2021 and 2022, pending the completion of an environmental report which was finished in 2024, after a draft environmental report had been issued in 2023.[5][7][8]
In February 2024, the STB granted permission to the Union Pacific Railroad to restore the upper portion of the Warner Branch to service for interchange with the Savage Tooele Railroad.[9] BNSF Railway had appealed for lengthier STB proceedings to allow access to interchange with the Savage Tooele Railroad via trackage rights, however currently the STB has denied this appeal.[10][9] Permission was granted by the STB for the Savage Tooele Railroad to begin construction from it's connection with the Union Pacific to the Lakeview Business Park in April of that year.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Savage Tooele Railroad Company-Construction and Operation Exemption-Line of Railroad in Tooele County, Utah". federalregister.gov. Federal Register. April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c Strack, Don (December 5, 2023). "Western Pacific Branches in Utah". utahrails.net. Utah Rails. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ "Mid-Valley Trail". tooelecountytrails.com. Tooele Transcript Bulletin. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ Maqbool, Abdul (December 10, 2020). "NorthPoint, Romney Group unveil over $1B business park in Grantsville, Utah". spglobal.com. S&P Global. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ a b Stephens, Bill (October 16, 2023). "Analysis: Regulatory overkill stunts potential of proposed Utah rail project". Trains.com. Kalmbach Media. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ Larsen, Leia (February 8, 2022). "Powerful Utah politicians back Tooele rail spur, but see why EPA and others are wary". sltrib.com. Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ "STB Issues Final Environmental Assessment for Proposed New Rail Line in Tooele County, Utah". stb.gov. Surface Transportation Board. March 1, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ Stephens, Bill (October 2, 2023). "Federal regulators issue draft environmental report for proposed Utah rail spur". Trains.com. Kalmbach Media. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ a b "STB approves UP request to restore service on Utah rail line". progressiverailroading.com. Progressive Railroading. February 16, 2024. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
- ^ Stephens, Bill (December 14, 2023). "BNSF tells regulators that UP aims to block interchange access to proposed Utah short line". Trains.com. Kalmbach Media. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
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