12/31/2025
The history of the rail connection between Price and Hiawatha began in 1907 when investors organized the Southern Utah Railroad to serve the coal mines at Miller Creek. Construction of the approximately 21-mile standard-gauge line was completed in late December 1909, with the first coal shipments beginning in early January 1910. During these early years, the line operated jointly with the Castle Valley Railroad, meeting at Castle Junction to serve the nearby Mohrland mine. To navigate the challenging terrain, the railroad utilized specialized equipment, including a 70-ton geared Shay Locomotive (No. 50 as shown here) delivered in April 1910. This engine was essential for handling the steep 4.92% grades and pushing cars up 9% gravity tramways at the mine entrance.
As operations continued, the original route proved inefficient due to its extreme grades and unreliable service. In response, the Utah Railway completed a new, more modern line in August 1914 that connected Hiawatha to Helper via Utah Railway Junction rather than Price. This shift led to the abandonment of the original steep track between Price and Hiawatha by late 1914. Despite the new route, experimentation with specialized equipment continued, notably with the 1916 construction of the McKeen Motor Car (No. 100 also shown here). This high-powered, aerodynamic gasoline-powered railcar began demonstration service in January 1917 for passenger and mail delivery, although it ultimately struggled with the local terrain.
On June 25, 1917 a major flood down Price canyon washed out a bridge over the Price River, which completely severed the rail connection between the Hiawatha mines and the city of Price. The unique McKeen Motor Car (No. 100) was essentially stranded. For about two weeks, it could only run from Hiawatha down to the broken bridge, where passengers and mail had to be transferred to automobiles to finish the journey. This natural event effectively brought an end to the original Southern Utah Railroad operations between Price and Hiawatha.
By 1918, the original equipment was largely phased out, with the Shay No. 50 being sold to a lumber company in Oregon. While the original rail line is long gone, the legacy of its unique machinery remains through modern preservation efforts. The body of the rare McKeen car, which spent decades being used for storage in Utah, was recently recovered and is currently being restored. Today, the site of the original dairy that supported these mining communities is part of the Hiawatha Hideout, a working cattle ranch that preserves the "outlaw", pioneer and industrial spirit of the region.. Utah State Historical Society. Source Donors Shipler, William H.
