Rail news in brief for a busy holiday weekend: Forest Service stops Durango & Silverton fire mitigation effort The U.S. Forest Service has halted a fire mitigation program by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad over concerns about the number of trees being cut down. The Associated Press reports the project cleared 100 feet […]
More Thursday morning rail news: Colorado Railroad Museum sets debut for Rio Grande Southern No. 20 Rio Grande Southern No. 20 will make its public debut at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colo., on Aug. 1, marking the conclusion of a 14-year, $1.5 million restoration for the narrow gauge 4-6-0 built in 1899. Built […]
Tuesday afternoon rail news: Caltrans, high speed project reach agreement on use of state-owned right-of-way The California Department of Transportation and Xpress West, the Virgin Trains USA/Brightline subsidiary planning to build a high speed rail line between Southern California and Las Vegas, Nev., have reached agreement on a lease allowing the rail line to build […]
Still more Monday rail news: Durango & Silverton hit by washout A washout has cut the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s access to Silverton for eight to 16 weeks, the Durango Herald reports. A log jam on the railroad’s bridge at Elk Creek, about five miles from Silverton, forced the creek to overflow and […]
Sunday morning rail news in brief: Explosions, fire follow derailment of UP train in Rock Springs, Wyo. A Union Pacific derailment led to explosions and a wildfire near Rock Springs, Wyo., on Saturday, as the 26 cars that derailed included multiple cars of liquefied petroleum gas and alcohol, according to a report from the Sweetwater […]
Wednesday morning tourist and museum news in brief: Durango & Silverton says it can operate profitably at 50% capacity, seeks OK to open The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad says it will be capable of turning a profit while running trains at 50% of capacity and now hopes to resume full trips by late […]
More Monday morning rail news: Uinta Basin project aims to start construction in 2021 The company seeking to build the Uinta Basin Railway in Utah has filed a petition with the Surface Transportation Board seeking an exemption that would allow it to begin construction of the line in 2021. Board approval is typically required for […]
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has postponed its Victorian Iron Horse Roundup, a planned gathering of 19th-century locomotives set for Aug. 22-31, to 2021. The event was planned as part of the tourist railroad’s 50th anniversary [see “Cumbres & Toltec announces schedule for 19th-century locomotive event,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 27, 2020]. In a […]
Royal Gorge Route Railroad owner warns of permanent closure UPDATED — CAÑON CITY, Colo. (via KRDO) — In a post on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad’s Facebook page, the railroad announced it will open, after all, on May 23. No other details were available. In previous statements, Mark Greska, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad’s owner said […]
Starting from the top of the mountain, the track for the Pikes Peak Cog Railway is being rebuilt. Dave Schaaf Crews from construction contractor Stacy & Witbeck are rebuilding the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, shut down since 2018. Dave Schaaf PIKES PEAK, Colo. — The Broadmoor Pike’s Peak Cog Railway has begun rebuilding the famous […]
Passengers take in the view from the Pikes Peak Cog Railway during a Trains Tour of Colorado in 2015. The cog railway is being completely rebuilt and is slated to reopen in 2021. TRAINS: David Lassen Still more Thursday rail news in brief: — The first rails have been laid in reconstruction of the Pikes […]
A Durango & Silverton train crosses the Animas River on its return from Silverton in October 2018. The D&S has pushed its planned opening back from May into June, and is facing questions on how to operate under social distancing requirements. TRAINS: David Lassen Monday morning rail news: — The Durango & Silverton has extended […]
