The Senate passed a resolution last week requiring Amtrak to look at re-establishing the Pioneer, from Denver to Portland/Seattle. My question is, what does everyone think about the possiblity of a "Pioneer Wind," combining the old Desert Wind and Pioneer Wind? Route would be, LA-Las Vegas-Salt Lake City-Boise-Portland-Seattle. I know this would hinge on the frieght railroads granting access and of course restructuring of Amtrak's fleet, plus it would bypass Wyoming, but seems to make a lot of sense to me. :tb-wink:
The Salt Lake City- Portland -Seattle section might be possible but the LA= Salt Lake City route is bereft of cities which would provide patrons
I don't know about the name Pioneer Wind - it sounds kind of like too many beans at chow catching up the next day while on trails west - but I like the idea of any addition or restoration of railroad passenger lines.
Well the wind area is not quite devoid of towns. Some of the old stops were Delta, Milford, Caliente (Claiente has a really nice station, also very supportive of Amtrak), and then vegas. This was all on the lyndyll sub. If they were to get the sharp sub up to par (right now it is 35 mph max) then there would be Provo, Nephi, and many others until you get to Lyndyll and Delta again.
:tb-biggrin: I know I tried to think of a better name, I did not think the Blackjack Flyer would go over well in Utah
If we really wanted to start dreaming the southern portion of this route, with a bus connection could provide access to three of the best National Parks in the Country, Bryce CYN, Canyonlands, and Arches.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS October 25, 2007 Amtrak Will Review Pioneer Route through Idaho, if Bill Passes BOISE Idaho - Amtrak has pledged to "immediately" evaluate resuming its Pioneer passenger train in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Colorado if an $8.2 billion funding bill now being debated in Congress wins approval. In a letter to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo on Wednesday, Amtrak's Chief Executive Officer Alex Kummant said the rail service would consider the feasibility of all or part of the Tacoma-to-Denver route. The Pioneer was dumped from Amtrak's schedule in 1997 after it lost $20 million. On Thursday, Crapo said routes not eliminated a decade ago have held their own. He also thinks potential riders are on the rise. Crapo says it's unfair to demand that Amtrak should be forced to live without some federal subsidies.
I would love to be able to ride the Pioneer again. I could get most of the way to Sumpter Valley Railway... by rail!
Well, in this case, I'd say the "Wind" might be more than just hot air. This is a route with future potential. Boxcab E50
It could either link up with the #5 and #6 in Salt lake or keep it's old route bouncing up and through Cheyene, WY. I would recommend the previous as it would ease equipment requirements and Cheyene can be easily serviced by Thruway Coach.
I wonder if there is enough passenger traffic between Salt Lake and Denver to keep it a separate train. I have ridden the train from Reno to Denver and between those two cities is where most of the passenger seem to have gotten on and off. Let alone the passenger beteen Denver and Seattle. Your problem in either case is using the Union Pacific rails. They seem to slow passenger traffic for cargo. Wonder if you could bring it through the Springs and use the Tenn Pass? No frieght trains after Cayon City
The time saved by rerouting the train via Tennessee Pass is lost from the extra 175 miles traveled, just from Denver to Dotsero. Not that I'd mind seeing new life for TP!
Read today that the Amtrak Spending bill has passed in the senate. Two of the provisions in the bill are Amtrak must evaluate resumption of service of the Pioneer AND the North Coast Limited!!!
Chicago-Seattle? It was a competitor to Great Northern's Empire Builder and Milwaukee Road's Olympian Hiawatha. It ran thru southern ND, MT and WA over Homestake and Stampede Passes. Correct me if I'm wrong...
Well, the NCL became Northern Pacific's premier passenger train. Famous for it's Raymond Loewy diesel era paint scheme. A restarting of the Amtrak train, would be a revival of the North Coast Hiawatha. By that same name? Boxcab E50
