http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=114249&catid=339 DENVER - The last Ski Train to Winter Park has left Union Station. A spokesman for Denver businessman Phil Anschutz confirmed late Tuesday that the train operation is being bought and moved to Canada by a subsidiary of the Canadian National Railway Co. The subsidiary, Algoma Central Railway Inc., already operates a Snow Train from its headquarters in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The sale ends ski train service between Denver and Winter Park that began in 1940. The reason for the sale was a "combination of things," said Anschutz Co. spokesman Jim Monaghan. "There is common knowledge that the train consistently lost money in its operation, yet profitability never really was the driving issue," Monaghan said. "It was something a subsidiary of the Anschutz Co. wanted to do." Monaghan would not identify the transaction's sale price. He said a number of "dramatic things" arose recently that imperiled the operation, including "overall cost increases, particularly for liability coverage." The Ski Train also has had "operating issues with freight trains," Monaghan said, referring to the need for the tourist train to lease track from the Union Pacific Railroad for its route. He said uncertainty surrounding the redevelopment of Union Station and the Ski Train's place in that development also was a factor leading to the sale. The Regional Transportation District and the city and county of Denver are spearheading Union Station redevelopment as part of RTD's plan to add six new FasTracks trains to its passenger rail network in metro Denver. These challenges that the Ski Train faced, coupled with a weakened overall economy, helped lead to this decision, Monaghan said. The train will not operate its summer schedule. The Ski Train operation had at least 14 railcars, according to its website. The 69-year-old run started when Denverites took mail trains to Routt County to enjoy the slopes, and the venture grew into an tourism tradition. In 1940 the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad launched the Ski Train to Winter Park. Anschutz acquired the train in 1988. His company replaced the 1915 passenger coaches, which were sold to the Napa Valley Wine Train in California. A CNN feature in January called the train "Colorado's quiet treasure." The train shuttled 750 passengers a trip 56 miles to Winter Park and back on weekends on about 42 trips from late December to the end of March. The train rose to about 9,000 feet of elevation, traversing steep switchbacks and 28 tunnels on the two-hour trip. Jim Bain, president and general manager of the Ski Train, could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. His voicemail said he was out of town until next week. In December he told The Denver Post the train has always struggled to be profitable. "It's essentially a labor of love," Bain said then.
Sad to see it go. I was always hoping that they would actually increase rail service along that route to reduce congestion on I-70. Sounds like they had a lot of obsticles to overcome though. I know Phil Anschutz sometimes gets a bad rap but he has several ventures that lose money but are good for the community. Too bad he couldn't keep this one going. Eric
Bummer. Sad to see it go. However, at least it's going to an operation where they know how to make things happen. Thus it won't end up be pieced out in a bankruptcy, or sold off for scrap. Boxcab E50
WHHAAAAATTTTT??? Oh MAN, how can this possibly be? The ski train is an institution...people grew up riding that train...what a terrible waste. Does UP have any plans to run something similar since it is their track?
Hi all, Sad news... ....it has always been a colorfull foto subject..., hopefully Amtrak doesn't abandon the Moffat. Since the tunnel district is best to see from a train, as I have seen from al the pictures on the web. Regards, Frank
I rode the last one but did not know it. Its been in my blood for 40 years. Yet another Colorado train going away. It will be missed by a lot of people Skiers and Rail fans alike. To bad UP did not step up and buy it then run it. Oh well another thing I cant give my kids when they grow up.
I don't think this will happen. In fact keep an eye out over the next year for new service to Portland via slc and boise.
On another board, I found the Ski Train cars were sold to the Algoma Central for their use. The SkiTrain cars may be used on the Canyon Train & other runs. So they will be back in CN hands. No word if the F40's go with it.
Unreal. Sad to see it go, but I'm glad I could see it when I had the chance. Any word on when/what route it heads north? I might be able to catch it somewhere along the way. Here's a picture on a happier day, from one of the most scenic areas of the Tunnel District:
Colorado Ski Train So sad. I remember my friends and I riding this train every weekend when I was in High School. It was so beautiful and we would even stay on while it turned around in Fraser, CO, I think is was. We had so much fun on that train. I would love to ride it again, but never will.
Ski Train Memories - With more to come... http://www.trainweb.org/rradventures/RRAdventures_Colorado/Ski_Train.htm
Sad pretty much sums... it up as many of you have said. For me it's another train I didn't get to ride. I have to respect Anschutz for giving it an honest go. It was a train that outlasted many... living beyond it's means. My personal thanks to Anschutz for his labor of love, for keeping the Rio Grande name out in front and for making it happen...as long as he did. In today's economy... a difficult thing at best. Salute!
