Wind
River ValleyHome Railroad of Steve Ceballos
Wind
River Valley
Home Railroad of Steve Ceballos
BDL NOTE: It is with extreme sadness that we note the passing of Charter Member Steve Ceballos on January 2, 2015
The
Wind River Valley Railroad (WRVRR) was named after the Wind River Mountain
Range, which is located in southwest Wyoming.
An
expeditionary team accidentally discovered the Wind River Valley in the early
1800’s while on their way to the Pacific.
As written in their journals, “the
valley is a place where the magnificent snow cap mountain peaks protect the
array of wildlife that flourish in her lush meadows and abundant forests.
There are many small tributaries that feed into the main river which is
the life source for this splendid valley.”
In
the late spring of 1844, a freak snowstorm near South Pass, WY caused a group of
settlers to fall behind and be separated from the main body of their wagon
train.
When the storm lifted, they – like the expeditionary team – had
accidentally found themselves in the Wind River Valley.
When this small band of settlers, like the early explorers, saw the
beauty of the valley, they knew at that time it was to become their new home.
A
local visionary saw the need to move goods and services in and out of the valley
more efficiently; thus in 1889 the WRVRR was founded.
The town of Wind River is the railhead for the WRVRR that interchanges
with a class- one railroad.
The ranches, farms, various mining and timber operations, along with the
other small outlying communities, need the WRVRR to provide rail transportation
and services.
Both the people of the valley and the railroad realize how much they
depend and benefit from each other.
Besides
the normal freight and mail operation, the WRVRR provides a mobile lending
library, as well as a medical facility on rail.
Daily, the WRVRR runs their “Doodlebug” – another passenger local
that can take the children to and from school, the folks to and from town, as
well as to church on Sundays.
All
those who work the WRVRR do their fair share.
In fact, it is not unusual to see the President/CEO of the railroad
pulling “yard duties” or behind the throttle of a locomotive.
The WRVRR is true to the name “Flag Stop.”
Everyone knows that if they need the train – it’s only a ‘wave’
away.
Stephen A. Ceballos
1950-2015
