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 […]
Still more Thursday rail news: — BNSF Railway will close two facilities in Wyoming, laying off 122 workers, in part reflecting the declining market for coal. The Casper Star-Tribune reports the railroad will close its Guernsey shops in June and its Donkey Creek facility in July. “Similar to the size of our train, yard and […]
Colorado’s Royal Gorge Route Railroad says it plans to resume operations on May 23. TRAINS: David Lassen COVID-19-related rail news for Thursday morning: — Colorado’s Royal Gorge Route Railroad, closed since mid-March, is tentatively planning to resume operations May 23 with three daily round trips. The railroad said in a Facebook post earlier this week […]
Friday morning rail news: — Utah’s legislature has again passed a law which would remove the exemption for locomotive fuel from the state’s fuel tax — a bill similar to one vetoed by Gov. Gary Hebert earlier this year. The Provo Daily Herald reports the funds from 4.85% tax is expected to generate about $2.6 […]
