LEADERSHIP TEAM
ALLEN HARPER
Under his leadership, and in collaboration with his wife and co-owner Carol, American Heritage Railways also owns and operates the Mount Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum™ in Elbe, Washington; the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad™ in Bryson City, North Carolina; and Rail Events, Inc., which coordinates licensed special events from major entertainment brands, event promotions, merchandising, and related activities for over 50 railroad and museum operators throughout the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom. Leveraging their combined professional backgrounds in the commercial real estate, retail, restaurant, and travel and hospitality sectors, the Harpers completed the acquisition of Silverton’s historic Grand Imperial Hotel, originally founded in 1882, and subsequently renovated and reopened the well-known property in May of 2016. With their guidance, the Harpers have built American Heritage Railways into the country’s foremost tourist railroad organization.
JOHN HARPER
Harper began his railroad career as a teenager at the D&SNGRR by working on the company’s fleet of vintage coal-fired, steam-operated locomotives and coaches, all of which have been updated with modern conveniences to accommodate today’s discerning travelers, and then preparing them for every excursion. Throughout his time at Durango High School, he totally immersed himself in the railroad’s business by conducted apprenticeships, each for a minimum of one year, in every one of the company’s departments. Following his graduation from high school, Harper transitioned into a managerial role with American Heritage Railways-owned Rail Events, Inc., which coordinates licensed special events, event promotions, merchandising, and related activities to railroad and museum operators throughout the United States and Canada.
