Today I observed Amtrak train #5 departing Denver. The unusual thing is that it was not on the normal (former D&RGW) northbound track toward the Moffet Tunnel. Instead it was on the east bound UP track out of Union Station. This track would take it north to Cheyenne. Does anyone know why? It has been puzzling me all day.
Could be track work on the former D&RGW line and the window is only open for daylight hours. Just a guess but that is a major reason to see Amtrak where it is not usually found.
Off topic, sort of. I live in Colorado Springs (fairly recent transplant) and was wondering what is the best way to get to Denver Union Station.
Yea, If you look at a newswire from a couple weeks ago it tells of it, and if Amtrak were realiable on thier timetables I would make time to see it becasue it routes it through territorry that it hasnt ran commercially for years now.
I-25 North to Denver. Past Mile High Stadium, past Six Flags, past the Pepsi Center, to exit right at the 38th Avenue/Park Avenue exit. The exit ramp crosses the road and then curves around heading you back toward the west. Turn left (south) onto Park Avenue. Go past one stop light, up over the bridge to the next stop light and turn right (I think it is marked Delgany Street but it is really Wewatta). This will be right before you get to Coors field. Go three blocks and you will be directly behind the station by the light rail. There is two hour free parking on either side of the street. There is walk way from the light rail under the Amtrak tracks to the station proper.
Cool, man. Thanks. I need to step away from the models for a couple of days and get out and do some real railfanning. Maybe before we get gouged on petrol again.
Very simple: Amtrak announced a few months back that for several weeks, trackwork on the UP line through Colorado would necessitate a detour through Wyoming. It will go straight through with no stops there.
Buses will handle the passengers at places like Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction on the train schedule.
Are they upping the clearences so the UPRR can use it as another transcon route to Chic? [:o)][:p]
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Originally posted by BNSF4ever
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QUOTE: Originally posted by spbed
Are they upping the clearences so the UPRR can use it as another transcon route to Chic? [:o)][:p]
I seriously doubt it[sigh] Increasing clearances in Moffat Tunnel would take more than several weeks.
The best railfanning is actually on the Park Avenue bridge. From that bridge you can overlook the BNSF loco shops, see the very western end of the UP east yards, the BNSF double track main goes right under it, the joining of the UP/BNSF joint line is just to the west, the yard lead for the BNSF east yards are there, plus the interchange tracks. Basically three wye’s and the diamond serving Union Station.
Sounds good. Hopefully there is decent place to catch a steak and a cold one nearby.
(1) Tie gang and steel gang working in Glenwood Canyon (saw steel gang clear of main track at Dotsero on Tennessee Pass line today on the way home complete with big propane tank rail heaters)
(2) Undercutter and surfacing gangs between Winter Park and Yarmony.
Zephyr needs to watch Uncle Pete at either end of North Yard (48th Ave Bridge or Pecos St) and or watch the increasing traffic on the East Denver Belt Line (The CRIP is about to be raised from the grave, Sandown to Belt Jcn…) For BNSF, watch the parade in the triangle between Prospect, 23rd St and 20th Street from Confluence Park near the flour Mill Lofts (everything BNSF in Denver passes through there plus Amtrak and some UP heading south)
Coal trains still moving in the off hours.