COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Pikes Peak Cog Railway’s operator says there is a chance that the famed rack railroad of the Rockies will close for good.
Jack Damioli, president and CEO of The Broadmoor hotel, which owns the 8.9-mile rail line, tells the Colorado Springs Gazette that after months of winter maintenance the railroad could remain closed for up to another three years while the hotel studies its future.
At that point, Broadmoor leadership would either close the railroad permanently or rebuild it, which could take “tens of millions of dollars” the newspaper quotes Damioli as saying.
During the winter maintenance, railroaders review the condition of the equipment and track and determined that it had reached the end of its useful life, the newspaper reports.
The Pikes Peak opened as the Manitou & Pikes Peak Railroad in 1891 with Baldwin-built steam locomotives. It is the highest rail line in North America and, for most of its history, has ferried passengers to the top of Pike’s Peak — the mountain — from Manitou Springs, Colo., at the base.
The original article is available online.
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Phillip Anschutz who owns the Pikes Peak Cog Railway and Broadmoor Hotel has a net worth in excess of 13 billion dollars. He is not interested in rebuilding the railway. He milked every last dime out of the cog before shutting it down. Anschutz is buying up everything he can in Colorado Springs and turning it into a playground for only the wealthiest individuals. He is a Denver based businessman, and I would guess he is more interested in driving tourism up to Denver where he can make a nice profit.
sorry to hear this. Rode it years ago with friends and then again a few years with a friend who was living in Denver at the time. It was a great trip, the last time a storm had started, we could look down on the clouds and one lady ran for the train because her hair was around her head like a halo and she was supercharged. Friends and I did stop at Broadmoor Hotel for a drink and did not know they owned the RR now.
Andrew Craig, the proper terminology in the fourth sentence of your post should be, “It’s aggravating to learn …” First, the apostrophe is required in “It’s” be cause it is a contraction of the two separate words, “It” and “is”; second, “aggregate” used as either a noun, adjective, or verb refers to combining/ bringing together into a whole, separate elements, units, or items. “Aggravating” is the proper verb here, as you clearly are annoyed and exasperasted by actions and attitudes of certain transportation planners … finally, it’s the Broadmoor Hotel, not Bombadier (the rail equipment manufacturer) which presently owns the PPCRy. Have a nice day! 🙂
We rode on it last spring. When we arrived at the station, we learned that all runs had been sold out for several days, but they squeezed us in as standby’s. We had a wonderful time. Having seen the alternate access by roadway, I can’t imagine that operating the summit concession would be worthwhile without the railroad. If the railroad is taking in over $100k per day at $40 per passenger, they need to think carefully before abandoning the project. That would be tragic.
I would not be surprised if the Pikes Peak Cog Railway will sadly cease permanently. I rode that train to the summit about forty years ago when it was clean and well kept. But escalating costs to maintain these rare trains are now substantial. Its aggregating to learn that so many younger transportation planners have the attitude of operating surface service routes to gain profits rather than subsidize from government taxpayers costs. Hopefully Bombardier will find a way to retain this cog railway route into a profit or perhaps a break-even operation.
This could be a great application for “Crowdfunding:.If it covers enough, investors and lenders may jump in when they see a lowered risk.
Been on it twice – first in about 1969 when I was about 12 and we went to visit my brother stationed at Fort Carson. Second time was in 2001. Great both times. Sure hope this doesn’t mean the end. It is a national jewel.
Saving anything comes down to dollars and cents. How much will it cost not just to rebuild the railway but how much will it cost to borrow the money? Would it require a fare so high the trains would run nearly empty? Is anyone else willing to come with some of the dollars? Eventually all things come to an end.
Steve Walden – all true, the downside being the railway turned the city at the base – Manitou – into a parking lot.
“Crowdfunding” for tens of millions of dollars? I don’t think so.
This is most distressing, considering how popular and convenient the train is compared to the public highway.
Mt. Washington uses the Marsh rack system. Pikes Peak uses the ABT system. For the nuts and bolts detail, copy and paste the following into your browser: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rack_railway
If they do rebuild it, what are the chances they electrify it? It’s a short enough route and the costs of maintenance and operations would be significantly reduced.
while the drive to the top of Pikes Peak is an adventure as well. Taking the train is a must. Hopefully they will save it.
That would suck. I went to pikes peak as a kid and didn’t even know there was a railroad there.
I know nothing about cog railways (never been to Switzerland), except that I’ve ridden both of America’s. My impression is the Pikes Peak track system is more modern and more efficient than Mt. Washington’s track format. Comments from the experts ??????
Why not just sell it to another operator?
If Broadmoor does not really want the railroad they should sell it! I rode it in 1991 and would ride it again if I am in the area again – if they do not choose to abandon it instead.
Thanks for the grammar lesson Al Dicenso.
The wife and I have ridden it three times, if they close it it’ll be a damn shame.
An absolutely wondrous ride that shouldn’t be missed if you’re in the area!
I imagine the Broadmoor organization would be open to offers on the cog railroad. Anyone’s piggy bank overflowing?
Editors, grammar please; “it is future”??? The correct possessive form is simply “its”,no apostrophe.
CHRISTIAN – Are you thinking of Switzerland? No way electrification is going to happen in Colorado, not many trains and no need for fast acceleration. As for me, I had no idea the line was in trouble and I’m happy these miles are already in my log book.