What is the geographical connection point to Tennessee Pass from the Moffet Line? Has the Wye switches ever been yanked out? Is any of it used and what sections? There has been a rumor floating BNSF Land that they want to own it for a new dedicated intermodal line from Texas to Pasco Wash. Is there anything to it? I was looking around this last weekend 03/30/2014 I am not real familiar with this line other than riding the Royal Gorge Route train once. So I was just wanting to know where these places are is all. If anyone has heard of such rumors is all.
The wye at Dotsero, Colorado is still there. https://maps.google.com/maps?q=39.6...7,-107.055306&sspn=0.001754,0.002827&t=h&z=17
In Fact, I'll be running that way (again) starting this Wednesday. The east leg of the wye is rarely used, but the "Minturn Local" still runs to the drywall plant in Gypsum on a weekly basis.
Is it still signaled, for the sections still used? Canon City to Parkdale was when I rode. And are there any bridges out?
The stretch from Dotsero to Gypsum is quite short. Don't know if the signals are still used on it. On the rest of the line, the signals are pretty much destroyed by vandals and such. The rails are still there but they are covered by rock slides in a few places. I put together an album showing photos from my cross country skiing along the old right of way from the pass down to Interstate 70. http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/2209
The Minturn local originates in Grand Junction M-F. Start time of 9am. Usually they're out of the yard by 10am for you weekday railfans. The stretch of track from Dotsero to Gypsum is not signaled or "controlled". Technically, in the time table, it's the Eagle Valley Industrial Lead. Though in the 3 years of working out of Grand Junction, I've never heard anyone call it that. Before it's entered, the dispatcher will advise if it's occupied and if it is, you call that entity on the radio to get permission to enter. r_i_straw, I love that set and have reread that post several times. Nice work.
With reguard to the reason to hang onto this piece of trackage. With it being the first piece of railroad trackage west of the Mississippi River with CTC have anything to do with it?
I am not to sure on that one, actually. I want to say that they hung on to it in case of an upsurge in traffic or something like that.
How many ways across the mountains in the US are like Tennessee Pass in that they are former routes and no longer in use? One of the old Milwaukee routes? GN? NP? This track is still in place but it looks like that would be of little use. It all would have to be replaced, it appears. While I am thinking about it, how about Canadian routes? Edit: Great photos, Russell! Looks too cold for me. How in the heck did you get to Tennessee Pass anyway?
Thanks Flash. One way to get there is to start in Pueblo and follow the tracks up the Royal Gorge. My brother and I usually drive up I 70 from Denver and stay at his place near Minturn. There are many points of access to the old rail line along US Highway 24 from I 70 over the summit to Leadville.
One of the often rumored reasons for this is to keep it from the BN BN has made an offer for it before and was turned down. The other one I've heard bandied about was that Homeland Security insisted that UP not tear it out because of the "vulnerability" of Moffat Tunnel. Take both with a grain of salt.
Former routes across the Continental Divide? Well, what type? Physical plant mothballed and mostly intact or abandoned, rails removed, etc? Tennessee Pass and NPs Homestake Pass in MT is in the first category while Pipestone Pass on the MILW in MT is an example of the last type. Pipestone is missing 2 bridges, all the rails and the summit tunnel is collapsing at the east portal.
