Ski Train
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The Ski Train is a seasonal passenger railroad operated by Rio Grande Scenic Railroad. The train was previously operated by the Ansco Investment Company, which purchased the Ski Train franchise from the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad in 1988.
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[edit] History
The train was instituted by the railroad in 1940 and ran from Union Station in Denver, Colorado for 56 miles (90 km) to the ski resort town of Winter Park, Colorado. The train's scenic route left Union Station and traveled through northwest suburban Denver, generally parallel to South Boulder Creek, past Pinecliffe and Rollinsville.
The route climbed about 4,000 feet (1,200 m) and passed through 29 tunnels before reaching the final mountain underpass, the 6.2-mile (10.0 km) long Moffat Tunnel. This is the highest railroad tunnel in the United States and passes under the Continental Divide.
The train stopped less than 100 yards from the base of the ski lifts of Winter Park Resort. There was one trip in each direction per day, with a travel time of 2 hours and 15 minutes, assuming no delays from freight rail traffic.
The Ski Train has carried skiers to Winter Park Resort from December through March each ski season since 1940.
[edit] 2009 Change of Ownership
On Wednesday April 22, 2009, it was announced that the Ski Train would no longer be operated Ansco. However, through the dedicated efforts of many local residents, elected officals, and in partnership with Iowa Pacific Holdings, Ski Train service will continue during the winter season of 2009-2010 and be operated by subsidary of IPH, the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, located in nearby Alamosa, Colorado.
The Rio Grande Ski Train will begin the new Ski Train service on December 27, 2009, with new higher capacity passenger equipment than had previously been utilized. Trains will depart Denver daily at 7:00 am, and depart back from Winter Park at 4:15 pm through March 28, 2010.
[edit] External links
- [http://www.riograndescenicrailroad.com/Ski-Train/Rio-Grande-Scenic-Ski-Train.html Rio Grande Ski Train Website
- Winter Park Ski Resort website
- Pictures of the Ski Train between 2002 and 2009
[edit] References
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