The annual Steam Festival at Golden Spike National Historical Park is set for December 28, 29, and 30/NPS file
If you want to swap out, temporarily, the feel of HO-gauge model trains in your basement, plan a visit to Golden Spike National Historical Park in Utah to catch the big boys in action during the year-end Steam Festival.
The annual festival, scheduled for December 28-30, features steam locomotives making short runs on the tracks where the Transcontinental Railroad was joined. This year the Union Pacific Locomotive No. 119 will take center stage during the steam demonstrations. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to see, hear, and feel the power of this Victorian-era replica locomotive as it travels along the historic Transcontinental Railroad grade. Step back in time and experience the sights and sounds of an era that transformed the nation.
Check out this video from the Traveler’s archives to get a better feel of what you can expect.
The Winter Steam Festival is a time to reflect on how our shared history brought people and places closer together. During the holiday season—both then and now—families came together, sometimes overcoming incredible distances. Join the staff at Golden Spike to celebrate this connection and create new memories to share with future generations.
Daily Festival Locomotive Steam Demonstrations:
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10 a.m. No. 119 Locomotive Arrives
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11:30 a.m. Locomotive Demonstration Run
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1 p.m. Locomotive Demonstration Run
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3 p.m. Locomotive Demonstration Run
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4:30 p.m. No. 119 Locomotive Departs
Special Presentations:
December 28th at noon and 2 pm
Captivating Tales of Terrace’s Utah –Christopher W. Merritt (Utah SHPO)
December 29th at noon
National Parks, Tourism, and the Golden Age of Railroad Travel-Dr. Jonathan Fairchild (Park Historian)
December 30th at noon
It’s Snow Problem-John Kuehnert (Park Guide)
Other activities include locomotive cab tours, hand car, and motor car rides.
Visitor Center Winter Hours: Thursday-Monday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Tuesday and Wednesday. All outdoor attractions are accessible seven days a week, including the Last Spike Site, the Big Fill Trail, East Auto Tour, as well as the Visitor Center picnic areas and restrooms.
The park entrance fee is $20 per vehicle, federal public lands Interagency Passes are accepted.
Activities are subject to change based on weather conditions and mechanical operations.
For the most up to date information, call the visitor center at 435-471-2209 ext. 429 between the hours of 9 a.m and 5 p.m., Thursday through Monday. Updates will also be posted on the park’s website, www.nps.gov/gosp/, and Facebook page.
Golden Spike National Historical Park is located 32 miles west of Brigham City via state highways 13 and 83.
