Wasatch Railroad Contractors

Wasatch Railroad Contractors was founded by John E. Rimmasch, while he was employed as Chief Mechanical Officer of the Heber Valley Railroad, where he oversaw the maintenance of Union Pacific 618 and Great Western No. 75. Both locomotives, along with visiting Nevada Northern No. 93, participated in the 2002 Winter Olympics during Rimmasch's tenure at Heber.{{cite web |url=https://www.deseret.com/2002/3/22/20634154/old-train-basks-in-olympic-acclaim |title=Old train basks in Olympic acclaim |last=Anderton |first=Dave |date=March 21, 2002 |website=deseret.com |publisher=Deseret News |access-date=April 3, 2022}} After Rimmasch left his position at Heber, he relocated his business to Cheyenne, Wyoming in 2005. Prior to founding Wasatch, Rimmasch had worked at Lagoon to maintain their Wild Kingdom Train Zoo. During Wasatch's existence, they served many live steam operations at various amusement parks.{{cite web |url=https://www.wrrc.us/wrc-amusement-park-services/ |title=WRC Services -- Amusement Park Services |author= |date= |website= |publisher=Wasatch Railroad Contractors |access-date=April 15, 2022 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414050117/https://www.wrrc.us/wrc-amusement-park-services/ |archive-date=April 14, 2021}}

The company picked up various contracts for restoration jobs, as time progressed, including a former Jim Crow-era Southern Railway passenger coach, which was positioned on static display inside the National Museum of African American History and Culture.{{cite web |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/installing-an-artifact-in-a-museum-that-hasnt-even-been-built-yet-180947712/ |title=Installing an Artifact in a Museum that Hasn't Even Been Built Yet |last=Hendry |first=Erica |date=November 15, 2013 |website=smithsonianmag.com |publisher=Smithsonian Magazine |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=}} Other prominent jobs included work for the Golden Spike National Historic Park, the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, and the Hawaiian Railway Society.{{cite web |url=https://www.wrrc.us/2019/05/golden-spike-150th-anniversary/ |title=Golden Spike 150th Anniversary |author= |date= |website=Wasatch Railroad Contractors |publisher= |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=|url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414054435/https://www.wrrc.us/2019/05/golden-spike-150th-anniversary/|archive-date=April 14, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://railfan.com/nevada-northern-fires-up-2-8-0-for-first-time-in-62-years/ |title=Nevada Northern Fires up 2-8-0 for First Time in 62 years |last=Franz |first=Justin |date=September 8, 2020 |website=Railfan & Railroad |publisher=White River Productions |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=}}{{cite web |url=http://www.pnwc-nrhs.org/Trainmaster2018/TM-2018-10.pdf |title=PNW RAIL NEWS |last=Sheldrake |first=Arlen |date=October 2018 |website=pnwc-nrhs.org |publisher=Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society |access-date=May 10, 2022}} They were also hired by the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad to rebuild their locomotive, Santa Fe 3415.{{Cite web |title=WRC Services – Steam Locomotives |url=https://www.wrrc.us/wrc-services-steam-locomotives/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120070611/https://www.wrrc.us/wrc-services-steam-locomotives/|language=en-US|url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 20, 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Steam Locomotive |url=http://www.asvrr.org/steamlocomotive.html |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=www.asvrr.org}} Another notable project performed by Wasatch was the restoration of a caboose for display in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2018/11/steam-train-back-tracks-curecanti-national-recreation-area |title=Steam Train Back On The Tracks At Curecanti National Recreation Area |author=NPT Staff |date=November 8, 2018 |website=nationalparkstraveler.org |publisher= |access-date=May 10, 2022}} Wasatch's largest static restoration jobs were on former Union Pacific No. 4004, a Big Boy located in Cheyenne near Wasatch's headquarters, and Union Pacific 4023 in Kenefick Park.{{cite web |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/04-big-boy-4004-restoration// |title=Cheyenne to restore Big Boy No. 4004 |last=Wrinn |first=Jim |date=December 4, 2017 |website=trains.com |publisher=Kalmbach Media |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=}}{{cite web |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/18-wasatch-railroad-contractors-celebrates-20th-anniversary/ |title=Wasatch Railroad Contractors celebrates 20th anniversary |author= |date=June 18, 2019 |website=trains.com |publisher=Kalmbach Media |access-date=April 16, 2022 |quote=}} Wasatch also assisted with work on the Union Pacific Steam Program, aiding in the 2006 renovation of the two auxiliary water tender's used behind No. 844 and No. 3985.{{cite web |url=https://utahrails.net/pass/water-cars.php |title=UP Heritage Water Cars |last=Strack |first=Don |date= |website=utahrails.net |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=}}

Former Union Pacific Steam Program manager Steve Lee joined Wasatch in 2010, and he participated in such projects as relocation of UP switcher No. 4420 to a preserved roundhouse in Evanston, Wyoming,{{cite web |url=https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/105-year-old-train-returns-to-evanston-roundhouse/article_84e33fb3-c157-5445-ba47-2a62658acd02.html |title=105-year-old train returns to Evanston Roundhouse |last=Pyatt |first=Kayne |date=December 21, 2020 |website=wyomingnews.com |publisher=Wyoming Tribune Eagle |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=}} and the Louisville and Nashville Railroad 2132 project in Corbin, Kentucky, which was championed by Lee, as he was a Kentucky state native.{{cite web |url=https://www.nkytribune.com/2016/01/homecoming-historic-louisville-nashville-steam-locomotive-returning-to-corbin-soon/ |title=Homecoming: Historic Louisville & Nashville steam locomotive returning to Corbin soon |author= |date=January 8, 2016 |website=nkytribune.com |publisher=Northern Kentucky Tribune |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=}}{{cite web |url=https://www.thenewsjournal.net/restoration-work-completed-ln-2132/ |title=Restoration work completed on L&N 2132 |last=Manning |first=Dean |date=July 5, 2017 |publisher=The News Journal |access-date=November 16, 2022}} During the Corbin project, Wasatch, claiming cost overruns, attempted to bill $20,000 to the Corbin Tourism Commission, in addition to doing uncontracted work on an attached caboose, and it resulted in an eventual contract award for the caboose.{{cite web |url=https://www.thenewsjournal.net/train-restoration-firm-wants-money/ |title=Train restoration firm wants more money |last=Manning |first=Dean |date=July 12, 2017 |website=thenewsjournal.net |publisher=News Journal |access-date=May 10, 2022}} Lee also headed a Wasatch-supported project to rebuild Western Pacific switcher No. 165 at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola, California.{{cite web |url=https://www.wplives.org/news_items/wp165_fund_raiser_2017/Light_the_Fire_release_03_22_2017b.pdf |title=Light the Fire Release |author= |date=March 22, 2017 |website=wplives.org |publisher=Western Pacific Railroad Museum |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=}}{{cite web |url=https://www.wplives.org/collectionpageimages/locomotiveimages/Steam-Engine-Restoration-Crew_5-5-2017_by_m_clawson_with_names.jpg |title=Steam-Engine-Restoration-Crew|last=Clawson |first=M. |date=May 5, 2017 |website=wplives.org |publisher=Feather River Rail Society |access-date=July 5, 2022}}

Wasatch expanded from their steam and historic repair shop by opening their Shoshoni railcar repair facility in 2015 after purchasing the previous owner of the shop, Dimec Rail Services.{{cite web |url=https://www.railwayage.com/mechanical/freight-cars/wasatch-railroad-contractors-celebrates-grand-opening-of-shoshoni-facility/ |title=Wasatch Railroad Contractors celebrates grand opening of Shoshoni facility |last=Worrell |first=Carolina |date=October 19, 2015 |website=railwayage.com |publisher=Railway Age |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=}}{{cite web |url=https://www.railwayage.com/mechanical/freight-cars/wasatch-railroad-contractors-acquires-dimec-rail-services/?RAchannel=home |title=Wasatch Railroad Contractors acquires Dimec Rail Services |last=Worrell |first=Carolina |date=July 7, 2015 |website=railwayage.com |publisher=Railway Age |access-date=April 16, 2022 |quote=}} In 2021, Wasatch publicly opposed the planned Kansas City Southern Railroad and Canadian Pacific Railway merger in a filing with the Surface Transportation Board.{{cite web |url=https://www.railwayage.com/freight/cp-kcs-merger-let-the-games-begin/ |title=CP-KCS Merger: Let the Games Begin |last=Blaze |first=Jim |date=April 5, 2021 |website=railwayage.com |publisher=Railway Age |access-date=April 15, 2022}}

The Big South Fork Scenic Railway hired Wasatch to perform boiler work on their former Union Railroad 0-6-0 locomotive, No. 14 (slated to be re-lettered as Kentucky and Tennessee No. 14). Following Wasatch's work on K&T 14, an inspection was performed on the engine by Jason Sobczynski of Next Generation Rail Services, and he found evidence of shoddy restoration work.{{cite web |url=https://www.midcontinent.org/tag/staybolts/page/3/ |title=Staybolts Help 1385's Boiler Keep in Shape |author= |date=February 1, 2018 |website=midcontinent.org |publisher=Mid-Continent Railway Museum |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=}}{{cite web |url=http://hsengco.com/anchors/14Evaluation1-1.pdf |title=K&T #14 Inspection Overview, Observed Defects & Corrective Actions |last=Sobczynski |first=Jason |date= |website= |publisher= |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=}} The K&T 14 inspection revealed Wasatch had used threaded rod in place of the correct flexible stay bolts, along with other errors in welding and machining. The matter went to court, which ruled in late 2020 that Wasatch owed $730,284.60 in damages to the Big South Fork Scenic Railway due to the shoddy locomotive work.{{cite court |litigants=Heritage Foundations, Inc v. Wasatch Railroad Contractors |vol= |reporter= |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=Kentucky Eastern District Court |date=November 24, 2020 |url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/25763538/Heritage_Foundation,_Inc_v_Wasatch_Railroad_Contractors_et_al |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote= |postscript= }}

The Como Roundhouse project, operated by the South Park Rail Society, suffered similar mechanical faults on a locomotive Wasatch had repaired for them, former Klondike Mines Railway No. 4 “Klondike Kate”. Klondike Kate was returned from Wasatch to Como in 2017, and it briefly operated at the Como site before mechanical problems sidelined the locomotive.{{cite web |url=https://www.southparkrail.com/news-from-como |title=*News From Como |author= |date= |website=southparkrail.com |publisher=South Park Rail Society |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=}} Instead of pursuing legal options against Wasatch, the society chose to crowdfund the needed money to repair the locomotive for a return service on their own.{{cite web |url=https://fundrazr.com/a1uBU4?ref=sh_57H2Ec_ab_4OXIh7fvNNE4OXIh7fvNNE |title=Assist South Park Rail Society in the repairs to Klondike Mines #4 |author= |date= |website= |publisher= |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=}}

On April 21, 2021, a tanker car formerly used to carry hazardous materials exploded inside Wasatch's Shoshoni shop, killing two employees, 28-year-old Dallas Mitchell and 21-year-old Daniel Conway.{{cite web |url=https://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/officials-believe-spark-from-maintenance-caused-shoshoni-rail-car-explosion/article_bf5e6180-19e4-52b4-882f-9f074fd3c80d.html |title=Officials believe spark from maintenance caused Shoshoni rail car explosion |last=Ranger |first=Riverton |date=April 26, 2021 |website=trib.com |publisher=Casper Star Tribune |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=}} A subsequent investigation of the accident suggested that metal grinding inside the car had sparked while the men were working inside the tank, resulting in its ignition and explosion. First responders reported high amounts of dangerous fumes lingering on site at the time of their arrival.{{cite web |url=https://oilcity.news/emergency/2021/04/22/shoshoni-pd-releases-statement-on-railcar-explosion/ |title=Shoshoni PD releases statement on railcar explosion |last=Trujillo |first=Trevor |date=April 22, 2021 |website=oilcity.news |publisher=Oil City News |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=}} Conway was a recent high school graduate, and Mitchell was a father of five children; a fund was set up in their memory after the accident.{{cite web |url=https://oilcity.news/community/2021/04/29/fund-established-for-families-of-men-killed-in-shoshoni-railcar-explosion/ |title=Fund established for families of men killed in Shoshoni railcar explosion |author= |date=April 29, 2021 |website=oilcity.news |publisher=Oil City News |access-date=April 15, 2021 |quote=}}

On September 14, 2021, Wasatch Railroad Contractors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.{{cite web |url=https://bkdata.com/business-bankruptcies/cheyenne-wyoming/09-14-2021/wasatch-contractors-20392 |title=Wasatch Railroad Contractors Files For Bankruptcy |author= |date=September 14, 2021 |website= |publisher= |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=}} While the bankruptcy was ongoing, Wasatch continued to attempt to operate with Rimmasch advocating to the Cheyenne City Council an idea for an expanded visitor's center at the Union Pacific railyards within downtown Cheyenne.{{cite web |url=https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/council-voices-support-for-cheyenne-railroad-visitor-experience/article_a87be363-8353-5a05-a1a9-67248c5677dd.html |title=Council voices support for Cheyenne Railroad Visitor Experience |last=Hall |first=Jasmine |date=October 23, 2021 |website=wyomingnews.com |publisher=Wyoming Tribune Eagle |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote=}} With no ability to financially recover due to a lack of new contracts, Wasatch permanently shut down on February 8, 2022.

The United States Department of the Interior, the Office of the Inspector General, and the Environmental Protection Agency launched an investigation of Wasatch over a failure to complete a contract for the National Park Service; the restoration of a former Central Railroad of New Jersey passenger coach for Steamtown National Historic Site. Wasatch had contracted the job in 2016, but the federal government accused Wasatch of billing them for work not being completed, leading to trial. The investigation into Wasatch's conduct also discovered improper asbestos handling and other violations of their contract with the NPS.{{Cite news |last=Alpert |first=Lukas I. |date=2022-04-28 |title=Vintage train buff guilty of ripping off National Park Service in $860K project to restore 1923 train car |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/chugga-chugga-cheat-vintage-train-buff-guilty-of-ripping-off-national-park-service-in-860k-project-to-restore-1923-train-car-11651072223 |access-date=2022-04-29 |work=MarketWatch |language=EN-US}} The investigation also accused Wasatch of violating the Davis-Bacon Act of 1931 via underpaying the employees associated with the project, with Rimmasch accused of sending false payrolls to the US Government as a cover-up of the wage discrepancy.{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-wy/pr/wasatch-railroad-contractors-and-its-chief-executive-officer-found-guilty-all-charges|author=|title=WASATCH RAILROAD CONTRACTORS AND ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FOUND GUILTY OF ALL CHARGES |website=justice.gov |date=April 25, 2022 |publisher=Department of Justice US Attorney's Office District of Wyoming|access-date=April 25, 2022}} The total charges included five counts of wire fraud and one count of endangerment. Rimmasch and Wasatch were found guilty on all counts on April 14, 2022, and sentencing was set for July of that year.{{cite court |litigants=USA v. Rimmasch et al |vol= |reporter= |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=Wyoming District Court |date=November 18, 2021 |url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/43005040/USA_v_Rimmasch_et_al |access-date=April 15, 2022 |quote= |postscript= }}{{cite web |url=https://cowboystatedaily.com/2022/04/22/cheyenne-railroad-contractor-convicted-of-exposing-employees-to-asbestos/ |title=Cheyenne Railroad Contractor Convicted Of Exposing Employees To Asbestos |last=Fike |first=Ellen |date=April 22, 2022 |website=cowboystatedaily.com |publisher=Cowboy State Daily |access-date=May 2, 2022}} The sentence was given on July 5; Rimmasch was required to serve thirty months in prison and three years of probation upon release, along with paying for fines and working for community service.{{cite court |litigants=USA v. Rimmasch et al |vol= |reporter= |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=Wyoming District Court |date=July 7, 2022 |url= |access-date=July 7, 2022 |quote=Defendant is committed to custody

For a period of 30 Months as to Count(s) 1,2,3,4,5,6}}{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-wy/pr/wasatch-railroad-contractors-and-its-chief-executive-officer-sentenced-wire-fraud-and |title=WASATCH RAILROAD CONTRACTORS AND ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SENTENCED ON WIRE FRAUD AND KNOWING ENDANGERMENT CHARGES|author= |date=July 11, 2022 |publisher=United States Department of Justice |access-date=July 18, 2022}}

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Category:Companies established in 1999

Category:Transport companies disestablished in 2022

Category:Locomotive manufacturers

Category:Railway companies of the United States

Category:Service companies disestablished in 2022