Colorado Mountain Rail Project development plan speeding forward

[frequentflyer]

https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news...il-project-development-plan-speeding-forward/

DesRocher said the goal of Mountain Rail is to complete phase 1 — Union Station in downtown Denver to Granby — in 2027.

That route would use existing Union Pacific Railroad lines via a lease arrangement to provide enhanced and more frequent passenger rail service beyond the current seasonal Winter Park Express ski train and the California Zephyr service by Amtrak.

DesRocher said CDOT negotiations with Union Pacific, including some rail system upgrades, are being negotiated in a parallel process to Mountain Rail planning and design.

The virtual meeting in late February or early March would release the proposed timeline for the development of the second phase — Craig to Oak Creek service — that would happen after 2027.

Mountain Rail developers listed various benefits for the proposed train system, such as bringing employees from Hayden and Craig to work at the ski resort, reducing greenhouse gas pollution emissions by lowering vehicle miles traveled in personal cars, improving air quality and promoting reliable, safe and congestion-free mobility options.

 

[Brian Battuello]

Throw in a dome car, and I'm in.

 

[Paniolo Man]

I suspect that rolling stock for this route will likely be the source of some controversy. It is easy to assume that they'll start with second-hand equipment in 2027, no manufacturer will have equipment done that fast. They'll start with used stuff and then procure a permanent fleet. Though the rumors I hear intrigue me, I am not at liberty to share them.

 

[GDRRiley]

within 3 years means its got to be P42 or rebuild freight units pulling some existing single level stock be it horizons, comets ect.

 

[Tom C]

If it ends up being Amtrak it will almost certainly be Horizons. That’s what they’re putting aside for route expansion. Some of the literature does seem to hint at them trying to procure equipment as well as something about putting out bids for operators - so they may be hoping to bid this out competitively in hopes to draw someone like Alstom or Herzog. I’m not sure if Amtrak can bid competitively against private operators at the state supported rate. They may have to bid it at a market rate like they do when they bid on commuter services. Not 100% sure how that works.

 

[Septa9739]

If I were they, I’d want Amtrak to run it. Amtrak has a Denver crew base that is excellent and can leverage economy of scale. It would also be very doable to exercise an option on the Airo for mid-term equipment purposes. It would also enjoy being connected in Arrow to the rest of the system.

From Amtrak’s perspective, I’d want it to write down my fixed costs on the California Zephyr, fill out a potentially crucial to future expansion Denver crew base, and have a case study of a train destined to be successful. They should be able to bid it as a state supported train and make sure they win.

 

[Paniolo Man]

single level stock be it horizons, comets ect.

Bold of you to assume single-level is the only stuff available second-hand.

If it ends up being Amtrak it will almost certainly be Horizons.

There is significant pressure from UPRR to not use Amtrak.

 

[Tom C]

There is significant pressure from UPRR to not use Amtrak.

No love lost between those two organizations at the moment for sure.

 

[GDRRiley]

Bold of you to assume single-level is the only stuff available second-hand.

There aren't exactly a lot of cheap alstom bi level octogons around, galley cars or high levels I hope not. High levels especially would need a massive amount of work that doesn't seem worth it. Easily end up paying over half the cost of a new car.

There is significant pressure from UPRR to not use Amtrak.

Can't say I'm surprised UP is angry at amtrak for trying to force priority on the sunset route.