Hey Gang,
In order to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Winter Park, Amtrak revived the Ski Train for a single weekend. Originally they were planning for a Saturday only run, but when that sold out in 10 hours, they agreed to run Sunday as well (which sold out in 4 hours). It sounds like this might also be a viability check for further runs next year. I think the sell outs are a good omen for that!
Amtrak was kind enough to put the Veteran's unit on the point of the train. The Amtrak staff was very proud of the train and had it shining nicely before they left town. I shot the train on Friday night by Union Station, Saturday morning by the Big Ten curves and Sunday morning near Plain. Additionally, there are some bonus shots of an oil empty on the line and the California Zephyr.
Amtrak Ski Train at Denver Union Station by Christopher J. May, on Flickr
Oil Train at Rocky by Christopher J. May, on Flickr
Golden Light on a Special Train by Christopher J. May, on Flickr
California Zephyr and Crescent Mountain by Christopher J. May, on Flickr
California Zephyr at Big Ten by Christopher J. May, on Flickr
Ski Train at Plain by Christopher J. May, on Flickr
While I still would have liked to see the speed lettered Maroon and Gold SD9043's that the Iowa Pacific was planning to use, it was good to see the Ski Train up and running again.
As always, C&C more than welcome!
-ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams
Spectacular! And the CZ - always a favorite of mine!
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
Zephyr at Big 10.
Awesome!
ChuckCobleigh Zephyr at Big 10. Awesome!
As Chuck said!
Splended (as usual). The platform shots are exposed so beautifully and have such a wonderful tonal range.
My favorite of all is Oil Train at Rocky.
Really nice work!
Some people have all the luck . . . (If only my daughter hadn't moved from Denver [Arvada] about 5 years ago . . . ).
At my quick glance, the oil train looked like a passenger train - only about 20 cars, solid dome cars with smooth sides, etc.
At the ski slope end, does the train stop right at the lift station or entrance gate, or is bus shuttle or walk of some kind needed ?
Anybody have a website or link to an article or blog about this operation that I could send to a non-railrfan type to explain it ?
- Paul North.
Beautiful photos, but one question- Where's the snow?
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Nice!
We've still got some of that snow, too.
Boston set a record, though. For us it was just another winter...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Paul, the original Ski Train stopped right at the base of the Winter Park ski area, just outside the west portal of the Moffat Tunnel. I presume Amtrak's revival also stopped there, however, their Cal Zephyr stops at Fraser, about 4 miles away, although ATK calls that station "Winter Park" also.
Paul_D_North_Jr Some people have all the luck . . . (If only my daughter hadn't moved from Denver [Arvada] about 5 years ago . . . ). At my quick glance, the oil train looked like a passenger train - only about 20 cars, solid dome cars with smooth sides, etc. At the ski slope end, does the train stop right at the lift station or entrance gate, or is bus shuttle or walk of some kind needed ? Anybody have a website or link to an article or blog about this operation that I could send to a non-railrfan type to explain it ? - Paul North.
it's a short walk to the base of Winter Park.
here is the old website for the skitrain.
http://www.skitrain.com/
Murphy Siding Beautiful photos, but one question- Where's the snow?
People think that all of Colorado is a winter wonderland...far from the truth. The Front Range (the I25 corridor, Denver/Colo Springs/Pueblo) is a semi arid climate on the dry side of the mountains. It certainly can and does snow here, but it usually melts fairly quickly.
Thanks much to both MidlandMike and denveroutlaws06 for that info.
In Central Maryland today!
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
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