Digest: Proposed Colorado rail line could carry 3 million passengers per year

Still more Monday morning rail news: Front Range rail line could carry 3 million annually New projections suggest the proposed passenger service along Colorado’s Front Range could carry nearly 3 million passengers a year, Colorado Public Radio reports. The line between Fort Collins and Pueblo, Colo, could carry 9,200 people each weekday, according to projections […]

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Digest: Commuter rail builders seek $111 million from Denver RTD

More Wednesday morning rail news: Builders of Denver commuter rail lines seek $111 million in lawsuit The consortium that built and maintains most of the commuter rail lines for Denver’s Regional Transportation District, has increased to $111 million the amount it is seeking from the RTD in a lawsuit set to go to court in […]

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Digest: Durango & Silverton won’t run to Silverton this year

Steam-powered train crosses bridge

Saturday morning rail news: Durango & Silverton won’t reach Silverton in 2020 The Durango & Silverton has given up hopes of operating to Silverton this summer, and will continue operating excursions between Rockwood and Cascade for the remainder of the 2020 season. The Durango Herald reports the railroad will offer a minimum of five daily […]

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Amtrak reroutes, UP shutdown continue because of Colorado fire (updated)

Amtrak logo

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — Amtrak’s California Zephyrs were again detoured through Wyoming on Thursday as traffic remains shut down on Union Pacific’s ex-Denver & Rio Grande line between Denver and Grand Junction, Colo., because of a fire near Glenwood Springs. As of Thursday, UP was reporting the Grizzly Creek Fire was threatening a bridge 9 […]

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Lighting your garden railroad for nighttime running

Nighttime trackside scene with lit station

I’ve enjoyed some of the most peaceful times on my railroad after the sun has set. Most of us likely have a porch light we can turn on to offer some light in the back yard. If yours is anything like my light, it gives off enough light to make sure your dog does his […]

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Virtual garden railroad visits during quarantine

We’ve kept close to home since quarantine and social distancing guidelines have been issued. Club meetings have been canceled; events and open houses have been put on hold. Our hearts go out to anyone affected by COVID-19. Time at home has spawned creative moments, though. I’ve refurbished structures, maintained locomotives and rolling stock, and looked […]

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Virtual garden railroad visits during quarantine

We’ve kept close to home since quarantine and social distancing guidelines have been issued. Club meetings have been canceled; events and open houses have been put on hold. Our hearts go out to anyone affected by COVID-19. Time at home has spawned creative moments, though. I’ve refurbished structures, maintained locomotives and rolling stock, and looked […]

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Digest: Las Vegas high speed rail project gets bond OK from Nevada

More Friday midday rail news: High speed rail project gets OK for activity bonds from Nevada XpressWest, the Brightline/Virgin Trains subsidiary planning a high speed rail line from Southern California to Las Vegas, has received unanimous approval from the Nevada State Board of Finance for allocation of $200 million in tax-exempt private activity bonds. The […]

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Digest: Judge turns down Durango & SIlverton request to resume fire mitigation, washout repairs

Thursday morning rail news in brief: Durango & Silverton mitigation, repair projects still stalled after judge declines to intervene A federal judge has denied the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s request to resume fire-mitigation efforts along its right of way, as well as its repairs on a bridge washed out during heavy rains earlier […]

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Forest Service orders Durango & Silverton to stop fire-mitigation efforts

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 […]

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Colorado Railroad Museum to debut restored RGS No. 20 on Aug. 1

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 […]

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Las Vegas high speed project reaches agreement to build along I-15

virgin_trains

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 […]

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