Sadly this will be my last RRAdventures report for the Ski Train (9News: Ski Train sold, to leave Colorado) as this will cover our last ride... :tb-sad: :tb-sad: :tb-sad: :tb-sad:
Then sit back and get ready to take the ride from a RRAdventure perspective... :tb-wink: :tb-wink: :tb-wink: :tb-wink:
OK, lets get this next chapter of RRAdventures started!!! We start out our day around 7:30AM at Denver UNION Station... [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica][/FONT]
The train does not leave for awhile yet so lets take some time to shoot some photographs in and around the station; starting with the Ski Train area within the station. [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
Old Photographs Next I headed down into the tunnel to take a few pictures including these old photographs of days gone by. Good thing too as I was at the station just recently and they are no longer there... [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
Union Station Restaurant [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
Time Table No. 67 [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
Tunnel This might not be common knowledge but awhile back Denver UNION Station was purchased by Denver's RTD. So, today to lease office space within the station this is now done via RTD. While down in the Tunnel I took a shot of the Track 2 signs which is the platform used by the Ski Train. Looking the other way towards Track #7/#8 there is another stairwell which opens up of the other side of the platforms where RTD Light Rail stops at UNION startion as well. [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
Track #4. #3, #2, and #1 Let's step outside and take some photographs of the tracks. At one time there were many more tracks but this is how the platforms look today. [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
Colorado Pine Pullman PPCX #800563 If you noticed on my previous post, there was a private Pullman sitting on Track #3. Well, like any Railfan with a camera in hand, one must take a few photographs; right? [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
End of the Line MP 0.04 It's just about time to go find Lisa and get ready to get on board the Ski Train... [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
EMD F40PH Engines OK, let's take a look at the main attraction, the Ski Train itself. We will be pulled by three EMD F40PH engines in their standard configuration, #242, #283, and #289. I say standard configuration as the engines are also labeled "A", "B", and "C"; designating the order of the units are normally operated in. These engines have been operating the Ski Train since December 2000 under a lease to buy arrangement; previously Amtrak engines. [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
The Ski Train Cars This is/was the list of cars of the Ski Train. During our trip the Dome/Sleeper California was not part of the train. Before we left the station I would have time to take lots of photographs of the train. Sadly I didn't take a photograph of every car when I had the chance but I did get photographs of five (5) of them that I will be sharing in the next several posts. (No Car #1, this slot is for the engines A, B, and/or C) Coach / La Plata Peak Coach / Pikes Peak Coach / Mount Elbert Cafe-Lounge / North Park Coach / Mount Evans Coach / Pyramid Peak Coach / Mount Massive Cafe-Lounge / Winter Park Coach / Mount Princeton Coach / Shavano Peak Presentation Retreat / Mount Bierstadt Club Car / Colorado Springs Club Car / Glenwood Springs Club Car / Idaho Springs Dome-Sleeper / California Parlor Car / Utah Business Car / Kansas
D&RGW#1231 Not listed in my previous post is D&RGW #1231 which is used as a Baggage Car; also setup as a Dormitory / Combine Car. [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica][/FONT]
4 / Coach / Mount Elbert Standing next to Coach #3 (Pikes Peak), I took this photograph down the train which Coach #4 (Mount Elbert) is the first full car in the image followed by the rest of the train. [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica][/FONT]
12 / Presentation Retreat Car / Mount Bierstadt Now, let's jump from Coach Car #4 to #12; Mount Bierstadt which is the Presentation Retreat Car of the train. [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica][/FONT]
13 / Club Car / Colorado Springs The next car is #13 (Colorado Springs) which is a Club Car and I also found it listed as #425 [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
