Purpose of and Need for the Project
The Golden Spike Heritage Foundation, a non-profit private corporation, was then formed in 1994 specifically to carry out establishment of the historic rail line.
The projects goals are to:
- Restore the historic rail line including the grade, trestles and tracks from Corinne to the Golden Spike site.
- Protect the character of the corridor and its heritage by encouraging the retention of the stories and places that are special to the people.
- Operate a tourist railroad from Ogden to Promontory. Provide a train ride experience on or in the immediate view of the historic rail grade corridor. Visitors would leave with a strong mental image of the historical significance of the transcontinental railroad construction.
- Provide educators and students opportunities to understand more deeply the National and world-wide importance of the railroad, the engineering feats accomplished, the cultural effects on the Mormons, the Chinese, the Native Americans, traders, and many others. The world's first transcontinental railroad linked not only the eastern and western United States but linked Europe and Asia.
- Develop local community economic benefits derived from a tourist rail operation. Increase tourism and tourist visit time in northern Utah.