PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN November 17, 2006
Union Pacific to Offer Route to State Fair Train
By PETER ROPER THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
Union Pacific will provide a special train to Pueblo from Denver for the opening day of the Colorado State Fair next Aug. 24, according to U.S. Rep. John Salazar’s office.
Salazar, a Democrat who represents Pueblo and the 3rd District, wrote to Union Pacific officials on Oct. 17, noting that the railroad provides a special train to Cheyenne’s Frontier Days from Denver each summer. He asked the railroad to provide similar service to the Fair and received word from Union Pacific that it would.
The railroad will provide a vintage steam locomotive for the train, which will carry approximately 250 people.
“We would be delighted to provide a special train from Denver to Pueblo for the 2007 Colorado State Fair,” Robert W. Turner, Union Pacific’s vice president for corporate relations, wrote Salazar in a letter dated Nov. 14.
Fair General Manager Chris Wiseman said the special train had been on the Fair board’s agenda for several years and he credited Salazar with getting Union Pacific’s support. Salazar serves on the House Transportation Committee, which has jurisdiction over the nation’s railroads.
“We think the Fair train will be another attraction that we can offer to people in the Denver metro area,” Wiseman said. “Fortunately, Congressman Salazar was able to open doors to get this done.”
Pueblo lawyer Jim Koncilja, who owns the Union Depot with his brother, Joe, said they have been lobbying Uni