Ownership of #223 has changed once again in October 2023. Read about the update here.
Denver & Rio Grande Western #223, a 1881 2-8-0 steam locomotive, in now entirely in the hands of the Utah State Historical Society (USHS). On April 4th, 2023, Salt Lake City signed an agreement with the group giving them full ownership and responsibility of the locomotive, paving the way for its restoration.
The city had previously gifted the locomotive to USHS in 1979, but the deed came with stipulations. The locomotive could not leave the state of Utah, otherwise ownership would revert to the City of Salt Lake. The Golden Spike Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society took on the task of taking care of and restoring the locomotive. Work slowly but steadily progressed on parts of the locomotive, including the tender and cab.
In 2019, the Golden Spike Chapter was locked out of the restoration shop by the city of Ogden, with only the USHS being allowed access to the locomotive. John Bush from the C&TSRR and Stathi Pappas from the Stockton Locomotive Works both surveyed the locomotive to determine the work needed to completely restore the locomotive and boiler.
With the new agreement, the locomotive can now leave the state to have work performed on it. As of right now no plans have been announced regarding the restoration or future of the locomotive, but there is hope that restoration will commence once again.
In parallel, a new C-16 Locomotive Society group has been formed to advocate for the restoration and preservation of the three remaining C-16 locomotives; #223, #268 and #278. They aim to help move the future of #223 forward.
Photo from Don Hinchliffe on RRPictureArchives
Learn More
Info and restoration progress on #223 from the Golden Spike Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society
Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum post on the ownership
C-16 Society site with a history of the locomotive
Utah State Historical Society site