An open-air Salt Lake, Garfield and Western Railway passenger car is set to be restored and put on display at Ogden Union Station, according to a November 9 report.
The Museums at Union Station announced the refurbishment of the unique railcar, which originally served the Saltair Resort and supported the war effort at Hill Field during the 1940s.
The railcar was built in 1922 and was used to transport guests to the Saltair Palace during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. During the 1940s, the car was used to transport workers to Hill Field, which was known as Hill Field at the time. The car remained in active use at Saltair until that attraction closed in 1958.
Museums at Union Station Administrator Hope Eggett stated that the organization was recently awarded two major grants for the project: the Save America’s Treasures Grant Program and the Ludwick Family Foundation. In total, $200,000 has been donated toward the restoration effort.
The restoration will involve several physical updates, including replacing rotted wood elements, replacing floors, and replicating the 20 reversible wooden benches located inside. The project also includes replicating the car's unique three-step running boards and patching and stabilizing the roof and metal elements. The car will be repainted in its historically-appropriate orange and white color scheme.
Eggett noted that the car is a rarity; of the 13 originally built, only three are currently surviving, and none of them are currently in display condition. The Museums at Union Station owns two of the three surviving cars.
The railcar was transferred to the Promontory Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) before being donated to the Museums at Union Station. While the museum holds a second Salt Lake, Garfield and Western Railway passenger car, there are no immediate plans to restore it, though the current project provides momentum for future equipment restoration.
The restoration work will be performed offsite and is expected to be completed within approximately two years. Once finished, the railcar will be displayed at the Spencer S. and Hope F. Eccles Rail Center.
