Western Railroad Discussion > Question about Helper, Utah

How did the town of Helper, Utah get it's name? Wasn't it a train helper district on the RR and that is where it got the name Helper? upkpfan

Yes, it got its name from being the helper station at the eastern foot of Soldier Summit.

Yes, Helper got its name from being a helper District on the Rio Grande. The railroad built an extensive servicing facility there and the town was established for the workers. The helpers push trains west to the top of the hill. With DP, the trains no longer need helpers, although there maybe be an occaissional shove at times. When I was up there last, they had 5 SD40T-2s assigned to Helper for locals and shoving. The engine facilities are barely manned now.

The Iron Horse

Helper still sees manned helpers on the utah Railway side. When they have a coal train that loaded on the CV Spur (east of Price), they bring the helpers over to helper and insert them in the Helper yard area. Some BNSF trains also get some help and they get together in Helper.

KK

Thank you to all that replyed. upkpfan

The town of Dunsmuir in California was also originally called Helper for the same reason as Helper in Utah. However, Andrew (?) Dunsmuir, a wealthy coal baron, promised to build a fountain in the town if they named the town for him.
C.

Wasn't Dunsmuir called Pusher?