Rail travel/ Fred Frailey's bucket List

I am interested in the list of railroads that Fred listed in his recent column. I would like to visit some of the places/trains mentioned. Does anyone know of a travel agent who might provide some assistance in planning a trip centered around the railroads of Colorado; for example the Georgetown loop, Durango line and other areas. The problem is that I do not drive. In the past I have made arrangements for cabdrivers and utilized local bus systems. Tentatively I might come West on the California Zephyr to Denver and explore, than go South to Raton, NM pick up the Southwest Chief to Albuquerque., NM with a return East to Chicago on the Chief.

You’re probably gonna hafta work from maps and the white pages coupled with your cell phone. I doubt there are any travel agents today who would even understand what you want to do. You might get help from any one of the railroads or museums, too.

The Bilchak’s (Spelling?) who advertize in TRAINS, are both professional travel agents and very knowledgable railfans. I strongly suggest you contact them. They will be very hones, and if they cannot do better for you than you can do for yourself, they will tell you that flat-out. They may charge a fee, but this will be made up by reduced hotel costs, which they can arraange. I don’t beleive there is anyone else in their catagory.

They may also know of special moves, railfan charters, that may exist at the time you are planning your tirp, and you may be able to hook with one or two and get some “rare mileage” or just more intersting equipment.

Colorado is a wonderfull place to visit, but alas, without a $25,000 machine that you must have, you won’t be seeing much. The US is dependent on cars and planes only, and Colorado is a mountainous state that is sparesly populated in most areas --I.E. – non-existant or spotty public transporation. I suspect you can get to Durango by bus, ditto to Antonio, but doubtfull to Chama or Georgetown – maybe by tour bus tho. I had a friend who lived right next to the runway of the Seeley Lake airport in Montana. It was just a short, grass runway out in the woods. He told of a small plane that made an emergency landing and the pilot knocked on his door to call a cab. The laughter could be heard for miles. the nearest cab was in Missoula, 60 miles away! So, unless you’re in a town the size of Durango, forget about cabs, altho Durango does have local buses. I’ve been to Georgetown and it appeared to be car travel only. Lots of luck. Check out Greyhound or some other bus company to get from denver to Raton.

Stuff and nonsense. Alamosa has twice daily bus service to and from Denver and has hotels .Rio Gandee Scenic has both its own scenic train rides, some behind steam, and also has a run to Antonito to connect to and from Cumbres and Toltec. There is a bus from Alamosa to Durango, so you can return from Chama, go by bus to Durango, ride the Durango and Silverton, and then go by air back to Denver. Or you can fly to Grand Junction and ride the CZ-Amtrak to Denver or go to Salt Lake Citiy on the CZ aand then return on the CZ to Denver. The Bilshaks can get you all the tickets, reservantions, schedules, etc.

Don’t forget to sample commuter and light rail in both Denver and Salt Lake City

Don’t forget Pikes Peak at Colorad Springs and the cog railway. Accessable by bus from Denver

The Georgetown Loop may be the only problem.

Saratoga and North Creek? What happened they did not buy enough advertising to have Trains Editoral staff cheerlead it by doing a story?[}:)]

Thanks for the suggestion.