Big Boy 4014 in Cheyenne NEWSWIRE

Big crowds greet the arrival of Union Pacific’s restored Big Boy No. 4014 as it arrives at the Cheyenne, Wyo., depot for its christening ceremony. After UP CEO Lance Fritz and his wife christen the massive locomotive, it departs with UP’s other active steam engine, 4-8-4 No. 844, on the start of its trip to […]

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Big Boy debuts with test run NEWSWIRE

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UP Big Boy No. 4014 departs Cheyenne, Wyo., just before sunset on Thursday on its first test run. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn Why, yes, it is big: UP’s newly restored Big Boy heads out of Cheyenne on Thursday. Another test run is possible today. TRAINS: Jim Wrinn CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Running into a setting sun, newly […]

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Cumbres & Toltec to run rotary plow in 2020 NEWSWIRE

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Rotary OY rests at Chama, N.M., in August 2018. The railroad expects to run the plow, and offer a limited number of tickets to the event, in early 2020. Jim Wrinn CHAMA, N.M. – The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad plans to operate its 3-foot-gauge rotary snow plow for the first time in nearly a […]

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Deep snow, lounge car helps increase ‘Winter Park Express’ ridership NEWSWIRE

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Excellent ski conditions and the addition of a lounge car helped increase ridership on the Winter Park Express in 2019. Justin Franz WINTER PARK, Colo. — More than 19,200 skiers and snowboarders rode Amtrak’s Winter Park Express this winter, a 7% increase over the train’s 2018 season and an 8% increase over its inaugural season […]

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Denver RTD will look at interim plan to start rail service to Boulder, Longmont NEWSWIRE

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An RTD A Line train from the Denver Airport returns to grade after crossing the bridge over Interstate 70 on its way to downtown. The RTD has reaffirmed its commitment to complete four unfinished rail corridors, and will look at an interim plan to begin service on one of those routes. TRAINS: David Lassen DENVER […]

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Durango & Silverton plows through avalanches to reopen line NEWSWIRE

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This slide near Needleton was more than of 60 feet deep. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge DURANGO, Colo. – Wildfires, mudslides, and now avalanches. There isn’t much Mother Nature hasn’t thrown at Colorado’s Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in the past 12 months, but despite all of that, railroad officials there say they are […]

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Denver & Rio Grande 4-6-0 passes hydrostatic test in Colorado NEWSWIRE

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No. 168 undergoes a hydro test on Tuesday under the supervision of the Federal Railroad Administration. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic ANTONITO, Colo. – Denver & Rio Grande 4-6-0 No. 168 – a 136-year-old locomotive under restoration at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic – passed a hydrostatic test on Tuesday. The successful test was witnessed by […]

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Meet Colorado Railroad Museum’s new executive director NEWSWIRE

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Paul Hammond Colorado Railroad Museum GOLDEN, Colo. — Former California State Railroad Museum Director Paul Hammond will replace the retiring Donald Tallman as executive director of the Colorado Railroad Museum. Tallman, who has led the museum since 2006, will retire at the end of August. During his tenure, the museum has nearly doubled its attendance […]

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Law enforcement and road closures on Big Boy No. 4014’s route in Wyoming and Utah NEWSWIRE

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The 2014 deadhead move of No. 4014 through Utah’s Echo Canyon created a long line of chasers in vehicles. Trains: Jim Wrinn CHEYENNE, Wyo. — With only one month before Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 makes its inaugural run from Cheyenne, Wyo., to Ogden, Utah, law enforcement agencies in both states are reminding fans […]

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What’s in a photograph?: Mountain-type F3s on the Union Pacific

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Jerry A. Pinkepank 1 “Mountain Type” F3A. Briefly in 1947, EMD referred to its steam-generator-equipped, passenger-geared F3s as “The Mountain Type.” These units were intended for use on passenger trains that traversed grades for which E7s were not suitable. In September 1947 Union Pacific got eight F3 A-B-B sets, plus three extra A units, all […]

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New director sees momentum for Colorado Front Range passenger rail NEWSWIRE

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DENVER — The first project director of Colorado’s Southwest Chief and Front Range Passenger Rail Commission is ready to help move forward plans to link Denver by rail to cities north and south. Randy Grauberger, a 28-year veteran of the Colorado Department of Transportation, joins the rail commission after a stint with WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff. […]

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