Tennessee pass

Skylercotton Dec 12, 2013

  1. Skylercotton

    Skylercotton TrainBoard Member

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    Any updates on the status of line and if there running any locals in Canon City?


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  2. LegomanBill

    LegomanBill TrainBoard Member

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    As far as I'm aware, the line is still shuttered. As for any Canon City locals, I personally am not aware of any.
     
  3. Skylercotton

    Skylercotton TrainBoard Member

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    Besides the royal gorge train most likely as usual


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  4. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    For the last few years, my brother and I ski parts of the right of way. The track is still there but nothing has been done to it since it was abandoned in 1997. There are a few places where the tracks are covered with rock slides.
    [​IMG]
    This slide is above old Camp Hale. You can see Deen Tunnel further up the right of way.

    All the signals have been severely vandalized.
    [​IMG]

    More photos in my album.
    http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/2209
     
  5. Skylercotton

    Skylercotton TrainBoard Member

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    It's really starting to look shotty why doesn't Up call it abandoned since they haven't run a train on it in 16 years doesn't make sense.


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  6. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sad to see it waste away, but at least the rails are still there.
     
  7. k3ndawg

    k3ndawg TrainBoard Member

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    Rumor in the yard office here in Grand Junction, is Homeland Security denied their application to abandon it. Maybe because they think the Moffat is too easy of a target. The other rumor I heard was they're saving it in case traffic picks up. There was a point 5-6 years ago, where they were close to doing so, but then the economy crashed in 2008, so...

    According to a track inspector I chatted with at our holiday party, most of the track is in "ok" shape. If they really wanted it open, throwing men and money at it would probably get it open inside of a month. Signals would be the big issue. As evidenced above. Cable takes quite a bit of time to run. The CTC upgrade on the Moffat/Glenwood/Green River subs, completed 2 years ago, took 15 months.

    My thinking is we could run track warrants on it until the signals were up, but that's just me spitballin'.
     
  8. Logtrain

    Logtrain TrainBoard Member

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    Or they could run "dark territory" like how BNSF used to operate the Stampede sub.

    I am NOT a UP fan by anymeans, but would LOVE to see this scenic line opened again.
     
  9. YoHo

    YoHo TrainBoard Supporter

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    There is no purpose to the Tennessee pass line. UP pulled up the connection I pueblo to the exMP, where would they take any traffic to the east? Back north to Denver on the Joint line? There's no value in that. Maybe, MAYBE, if traffic picked up, they could divert BNSF trackage rights trains over it where they could connect up with the joint line south, but that's a lot of money for a competitor's trains.
     
  10. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    The main objection to using the Tennessee Pass was the push and shove of helper crews to get the trains up and over the pass. Don't get me wrong it's no different then with the Moffat Route. It's still a hill climb and requires a serious shove to get a train up and over it. There was an opportunity for Santa Fe to merge with MP but the then president was afraid he'd get stuck with WP and D&RGW . I still shake my head at his choice and yet at the same time I can understand his reasoning. Today, BNSF does Run Denver over the Moffat, to Salt Lake and then over Donner. Trackage rights given to satisfy the need for competition in that arena. Other wise UP would or could monopolize all traffic in the area. The ugly reality: Shippers are going to trucking when there is a dispute with the railroads.

    I thought it was a mistake to close it down and halt all train operations. I enjoyed seeing the trains crawl up the west face of the pass. Then it hit me, they don't run trains for my pleasure. Darn it! However, if you consider that UP and BNSF has several mainlines that run through the Midwest and Rockies, both to the south and north.... you have to ask yourself; Would I keep all those mains open and operating? :sweat: Sorry, this isn't a quiz.

    Freight loads and efficiency of moving them from point A to point B is what determines what mains stay open and which ones become spur lines. Down in the Pueblo region, last I heard there is still some industries that need rail service. Not much else on the line aside from tourist attractions. Last train aka local to Leadville and some mine just west of there took place back in the 80's. The mines on the west face of the pass closed either just before or after said event. No revenue generated, no purpose for trains.

    In todays world and uncertainty of the future. UP would be wise to keep the railroad property. Should we go to war or God forbid we have a civil war, the railroads and there properties.... will be needed. Does anyone here remember Camp Hale?

    Does that help?:eek:hboy:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 21, 2013
  11. YoHo

    YoHo TrainBoard Supporter

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    There's a moly mine reopening on the line, but the number of cars is too low to justify the cost
     
  12. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Is that where the 10th Mountain Division trained, during WWII?
     
  13. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    My brother's car tags.

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  14. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Nailed it!
     
  15. Skylercotton

    Skylercotton TrainBoard Member

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    Yep


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