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History made as Utah's first commuter rail puts Ogden center stage once again

OGDEN -- Small children were lifted in the air, cameras clicked and bands played early Saturday morning. Although the celebrity the crowd eagerly awaited has already been seen all over town, this did not dampen the excitement as the sleek red, white and blue FrontRunner, Utah's first commuter train, made its first official stop at the Ogden station.

"This is a great event," said lifelong Ogden resident Mark Hains. "A lot of the people who are here remember the trains from the olden days. This is just a great thing for the economy, Ogden and all of Northern Utah."

Utah Transit Authority had the train start in Ogden because of the city's rich history with the railroad, said Bob Hunter, UTA Board of Trustees vice president.

"Trains have been an important component of Ogden's economic stability," Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey told the crowd. "In fact, it was Ogden's economic stability for more than 100 years. And this very platform can be a gateway for economic prosperity to our community."

Just as in Ogden, the UTA FrontRunner was greeted with anticipation and celebrations as it moved on down the line to other stations in Roy, Clearfield, Layton, Farmington and Woods Cross, ending at the Salt Lake Central Station for the main grand-opening ceremony just after noon.

"It's marvelous," said John Inglish, UTA general manager. "What a wonderful thing, to pull in and see that rail lined with people going back three and four people deep. It's like a parade."

Because public rides didn't start until 2 p.m., most who came to the celebrations just wanted a glimpse of Utah's newest transportation option.

"We came out just to see the train," said Carolyn Leavett, a Kaysville resident who brought her family to the Layton station. "We were really excited to see it coming down the track. When you think of all the people who showed up for the transcontinental railroad and how much fun they had -- this is pretty much our historical, modern train."

Those invited for the inaugural ride were local leaders who were involved in the process of getting FrontRunner, said Michelle Baguley, UTA board member.

"It's a very nice ride," said Warren Vaughn, Washington Terrace City Councilman.

UTA is offering free rides to the public until Wednesday, and many in attendance on Saturday plan to take up that offer.

"My sons love trains, so we are going to go for a ride," said Walter Sibilo, a Clinton resident visiting the Clearfield station.

Locals were not the only ones impressed with FrontRunner.

"This is really a standout program nationally," said Severn Miller, Federal Transit Administration chief council. "You don't realize how lucky this region is to have all the different people working on this project and supporting it. I can't think of another community that has everything in sync the way the folks here do. It is remarkable."

At each stop, local leadership spoke about the benefits FrontRunner would bring to their town.

"I encourage you to get on this train and get off the freeway," said Fred Oates, UTA Board of Trustees member, at the Roy station. "Basically, get on the train, do all your e-mail, and when you get to work you have half your work done. No stress, no fuss. You'll be so relaxed, the boss will wonder what's happened to you."

FrontRunner cars all have wireless Internet, power supply and a few tables.

"We are doing surveys with businesses to see what are the conditions under which they would allow employees to credit their work time on the train while using the Internet," Inglish said.

Layton resident Kim Wixom, who works in Salt Lake, may not have been at Saturday's celebrations, but he plans to be at the station Monday for his Monday morning commute.

"I am going to try it out, and as long as it gets me to work on time that's definitely what I am going to do," Wixom said.

Whether it is for work or play, commuter rail was seen as a benefit for all in the Top of Utah.

"FrontRunner helps move Davis County from that sleepy suburban community to a progressive, vibrant key player in Utah's overall success and growth," said Bret Millburn, Davis County commissioner, at the Farmington station.

Millburn then did something he said he always wanted to do -- put on a striped conductor's hat and yelled, "All aboard!"

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