This is from the Steam Railroading Insitute's facebook page:

Not true according to a call I placed to Heber Valley RR today.

There is, however, a bill before the Utah Legislature right now (HB 287) that would remove Heber Valley Railroad and the Utah State Railroad Museum from under the authority of the Department of Community and Culture and make them independent state agencies. I imagine that could have an effect on funding. This bill has undergone several changes and perhaps a previous version eliminated some funding.

http://le.utah.gov/~2011/bills/hbillint/hb0287s02.htm

It is posted on Hebers Facebook page by them also.

The person I spoke to said the Facebook page had been hacked. However there is a Heber City Council meeting tonight with the following item on the agenda:

"Heber Valley Historic Railroad Authority - Craig Lacey – Consideration of Resolution 2011-04 – A Resolution to Adopt a Promissory Note and Security Agreement between Heber Valley Historic Railroad Authority and Heber City Corporation"

I couldn't find details of the resolution online.

The Facebook item regarding Heber Valley Railroad was posted by a well-meaning part-time employee who had no understanding of the facts and no authorization to comment on the railroad's current challenges. I made a second presentation this evening to the Heber City Council in regards to a promissory note, as stated by davew833. A large number of railroad supporters attended the meeting and many of them presented meaningful and heartfelt comments to the City Council.

The outcome was favorable and it was refreshing to witness the support of citizens in our community. We sincerely thank all of you in the railway preservation community for your continued support of our efforts.

Craig H. Lacey
Executive Director
Heber Valley Historic Railroad Authority
Heber City, Utah

Thank you Craig. One of the things that makes this forum as good as it is is that the people that actually know something and have the right to speak post here.

A word of caution if I may. If you are going to send an e-mail to the council in support of Heber, send a copy to Heber as well. City councils have been known to delete e-mails that support causes they do not support. With copies, it is difficult for them to delete those messages. I speak from experience.

Later!
Mr. Ed

As I agree fully with the comment that supporters of the Heber Valley Railroad should send duplicate copies of their well intentioned notes to the Railroad as well as the City, I feel it vital also that supports know a little about the situation before making quick comments or pledging support one way or another.

As the former CMO of the HVRR, I have a deep and vested concern for the railroad. My departure came as a result of new opportunities for me and my company. My passion for the area and my love for the railroad has not diminished over the years.

One can easily look at past news stories about the railroad. The Wasatch Wave has a great web page where-by interested parties can read past stories (http://wasatchwave.com/pages/news).

We have been watching the current situation at the HVRR from afar for some time now. We are dismayed at the criticism that many offer as if to help the situation. Criticism is a deterrent and does not help the situation.

My company and I elected to take a different approach on the matter. We spent a great amount of time creating a new business plan for the railroad using some great new tools found in the expansion and growth of Wasatch Railroad Contractors. Our detailed plan outlines the creation of a "Public/Private" Partnership between the railroad and WRC. Our proposed business plan includes the reduction of, and ultimate elimination of debt. New promotional programs. Enhanced and improved passenger cars as well as the return of steam to the railroad. Our fully backed plan includes 1-2-5-10 and 20 year long term plans.

Not only did we present our plan, we also made a financial contribution in the form of a loan to aid the railroad through the current struggle it faces. Indeed, we have done everything we can to make sure the railroad survives and grows.

We presented our plan to the Board of Directors as well as to the City Council of Heber City. Our presentations were made last Thursday, March 3, 2011. The current political situation all over the US is calling for less government involvement and more private sector. The railroad, as defined by current Utah State Law is a Quasi State Agency. As such, there is no LINE ITEM budget from the State to the RR on an annual basis. The railroad is as close to a private venture as any State could have. Additionally, the legislation that created the railroad clearly provides the Directors the option of entering into "Public/Private partnerships" as part of their oversight and duty to the railroad. What we have proposed is nothing different from that of anything done in Colorado, California, Texas or many other States in respect to Public/Private ventures.

May I be very clear; Our presentation was not made in criticism of the current Staff, the Board or the City of Heber. Our presentation and our plan was created out of love and passion for the community and the railroad. We have made it clear, and we do so again, that anybody supporting our plan, or any other plan, should do so in a creative and positive manner. The last thing the railroad or the city needs is more critics.

WRC is willing to share a few public documents related to our plan and our position on the matter. If you wish to receive a copy of these documents please contact myself or Mike Lewis at:

info@wrrc.us

Our formal business plan is protected for the time being under a very strict confidentiality agreement and is still held solely by WRC. Copies of the complete plan are not available at this time. As we unveil certain aspects of the plan, we will make the aspects available to the public.

If you wish to address the Railroad, the City or the Board of Directors, please contact Craig H. Lacey, Executive Director of the railroad. Craig has posted above this message. Craig has been very grateful for the support shown thus far. More support is needed!

Thank you for taking the time to learn as much about the HVRR as you strive to aid and support the preservation of one of America's oldest Tourist lines.

Kindly submitted,

Good heavens, man! You've just pulled the rug out from under about 2/3rds of the RYPN posts from the last few weeks.

I have no idea about your plan nor the situation, so I will not comment on that.

I just really liked that quote.

All the best,

Rob

Amen Rob...........:)

The story hit the local news yesterday with both the Deseret News (newspaper) and KSL-TV (local NBC affiliate) posting the story by Jasen Lee.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705368260/Historic-Heber-railroad-struggling-to-stay-on-track.html

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=14655011


Note that Director Craig Lacey indicated over on Trainorders that the $12 Million annual cost to run the railroad was a misquote, stating "The Heber Valley Railroad's positive economic impact to the community and state is roughly $12 million per year" with him continuing (in the article) that if the railroad itself were receiving that $12 Million "it would be a whole lot easier."

sc 'doc' lewis

John,

It is my understanding that you are proposing to take over all operations of the railroad and to shift all WRC operations to Heber. Would the primary focus of the company remain on contract maintenance services or on operations in Heber?

You spoke of returning steam operations to Heber. Would that include restoration of one of the existing locomotives, or aquisition of operational steam locomotive. I understand 618 needs a lot of boiler and running gear work and there are issues with prior repairs on the 75.

For some reason the name of Stan Matthews and Shop Services, Inc. came to mind when I read the above. . . .

Steve

Farmer Stan??? OUCH!!!!!

Thank you for the comments and questions. In quick response to the questions and comments, I offer the following;

Though I have admired what Shop Services did and how they made some positive impact on the tourist railroad industry, the model of Shop Services is not the business model that I have mapped for WRC. Short of being extremely specific about my business plan and business models, I will share with you the reality that there is not a strong future business viability in historic steam alone. To achieve the goals we have set for WRC, we will have to reach further than anybody else ever has. Our business model is in effect in other areas of the world; however, we have not found the same model working in the USA. We believe strongly that if the model works in other countries and in areas where demand is even lower than it is in the USA, surely, we can take the same model and see it work here.

The question was posed if our intention is to move WRC to Heber or to drop WRC and focus on the Railroad if our plan is adopted. The answer to this is neither. WRC must grow and continue as it has the past 6 years. Though we are a private company, our growth has been incredible the past three years built on the foundation of the first 9 years before that. WRC has functioned for 12 years with growth in each year since the creation of the company. The strength of the financial support that we have secured is based on ensuring that WRC maintains a strong business position. WRC as it is today would not be moved to Heber. The truth is; we maintain three facilities, none of which would be moved to Heber. The company as a whole would have direct responsibilities at Heber, however, it must operate as its own business unit. Our business plan and the plan we have proposed ensures everything that I have addressed above.