COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Tickets are now on sale for the resumption of operations for the Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway, the nation’s highest railway and one of only two cog railways in the U.S. The railway will reopen in May. Since October 2017, it has been undergoing a $100 million renovation including […]
Zone & Region: Mountain West
Federal regulators reject short line plan to revive UP’s Tennessee Pass line
WASHINGTON — It’s back to the drawing board for Rio Grande Pacific’s plans to lease and revive Union Pacific’s long-dormant route over Tennessee Pass in Colorado. The Surface Transportation Board on Thursday rejected the exemption that Rio Grande Pacific sought for the transaction. Under board rules, small deals such as a lease or sale of […]
Digest: Northeast Corridor service disrupted at Providence; Hartford line also having issues
Fires disrupt service on Northeast Corridor, Hartford Line Amtrak service on the Northeast Corridor between New York and Boston has been disrupted this morning by fire department activity earlier this morning in Providence, R.I., that has affected overhead power lines. WJAR-TV reports a locomotive fire on an MBTA train in one of the underground approaches […]
Freight train on Tanglefoot Curve
A 70-car Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow-gauge freight train drops down famous Tanglefoot Curve, just east of Cumbres, Colo., in June 1960. Since 1960, Cumbres & Toltec tourist trains have plied this landmark. Robert F. Collins […]
Company seeking Tennessee Pass lease asks regulators to prohibit hazardous materials
WASHINGTON — In an unusual move, the company seeking to lease Colorado’s Tennessee Pass line from Union Pacific is asking that shipment of hazardous materials be prohibited from the line. In a filing Monday with the Surface Transportation Board, Colorado, Midland & Pacific Railway — the affiliate of holding company Rio Grande Pacific which has […]
Digest: Developer’s agreement with Metra will allow project to be built above Electric line
Developer’s deal will allow construction above Metra tracks, lead to new station A Chicago developer says he has reached agreement with Metra to build over Metra Electric District tracks as part of a $20 billion development in the area near Soldier Field, a deal that will include the developer building a replacement for Metra’s 18th […]
How to visit the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Introduction to the Durango & Silverton A trip to Colorado to see and ride a narrow gauge railroad is essential for anyone with an interest in great steam railroading in the Rocky Mountains. Colorado has several railroads worth visiting (in fact, we offer, in conjunction with Special Interest Tours, a week-long trip to visit them […]
Durango & Silverton to resume trips to Silverton in May
DURANGO,Colo. — The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad will resume service to Silverton, cut off last season by a bridge washout, on May 22, as part of its summer-fall 2021 schedule, with shorter Cascade Canyon Express excursions on May 1. The railroad announced it will operate one train daily to Silverton May 22 to […]
Digest: New funding plan for FrontRunner, other Utah projects
Utah legislators change funding plan for transit projects Utah legislators have changed plans for funding a series transit projects, although the projects — including double-tracking sections of the Utah Transit Authority FrontRunner commuter rail route — will still get the money they need. The Salt Lake Tribune notes that instead of borrowing more than $1 […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails: Episode 1 Montana and eastern Washington
Railfans and model railroaders alike will enjoy this ethereal approach to capturing the stunning natural vistas and railroads of the American West. Beginning with this Autumn episode of an all-new, seasonal series by photographer/videographer Tom Danneman, you’ll be immersed in extended-length footage of contemporary trains working through expansive scenes, and even bigger, broader skies. Available […]
Big Skies & Iron Rails, Montana and Eastern Washington, Episode 1
Railfans and model railroaders alike will enjoy this ethereal approach to capturing the stunning natural vistas and railroads of the American West. Beginning with this Autumn episode of an all-new, seasonal series by photographer/videographer Tom Danneman, you’ll be immersed in extended-length footage of contemporary trains working through expansive scenes, and even bigger, broader skies. Available […]
Motorcycle special recalls Amtrak’s era of experiments
In the 1990s Amtrak managers sought to use mail and express business to bolster revenue. A byproduct of that initiative, which involved beefing up baggage handling facilities and acquisition of boxcars, was aggressively seeking ways to use equipment. New Hampshire-based motorcycle event promoter Charlie St. Clair was a member of Amtrak’s Customer Advisory Committee […]