Pikes Peak Railroad rebuilding

[Overmod]

I can't believe no one has commented on this up to now, as I seem to remember quite a bit of wailing when the old railroad was closed (and rumored not to reopen with new-management priorities).

https://www.rtands.com/rail-news/railroad-construction-crews-attack-pikes-peak/

It'll be interesting to see what was learned in the course of this effort.

One unfortunate thing, though: it appears the rack system is being changed.  I have not heard anything about 'historic' steam power being modified (perhaps RyPN can weigh in with specific knowledge) and I doubt that even with 'biodiesel' or renewable-fuel firing there will be new steam to match the new railroad.

 

[Murphy Siding]

    $100 million for 8.9 miles of tourist rail that serves 2300 people a day during tourist season? How does that work? It's not real clear who is putting up the money.

[BaltACD]

Murphy Siding

    $100 million for 8.9 miles of tourist rail that serves 2300 people a day during tourist season? How does that work? It's not real clear who is putting up the money.

Of course the Broadmoor Hotel isn't politically connected 

[saguaro]

Murphy Siding

    $100 million for 8.9 miles of tourist rail that serves 2300 people a day during tourist season? How does that work? It's not real clear who is putting up the money.

This is a major attraction in a state with a lot of major attractions. Let's say the tourist season is 90 days. Times 2,300 peer day -- that's 207,000 people in a year. They were all paying at least $35 each for the trip about five years ago when we went. That's over $7 million per year. That's not including souvenirs, food and lodging in the town that hosts the RR. Seems like a reasonable investment to me. For the RR, the town and the state.

 

[samfp1943]

The following linked site is to a BLOG Posting with photos, from the Manitou area, and is detailing the rebuilding of the  125 year old Manitou & Pikes Peak line.  Locally, apparently, known as 'The COG' . 

  The blog post lays out in detail the several years process for the reconstruction of the line/ its center cog track, and the enlarging of the station at the bottom of the line; as well as the trains needed to service the line.    

   The costs [$100M] seems become more reasonable when it includs the total rebuild of the track and rack system, the lower station and the eight trains that service the line.  

 Linked @ https://www.pikes-peak.com/pikes-peak-cog-railway-closed/

[blue streak 1]

The Pikes Peak is now open for buying tickets.  They are steep in price.  First trips start on thrusday May 27th.

The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway | Reopening in May 2021

[mudchicken]

(several of the older pieces of equipment now call CRRM-Golden home, including 1890 #1 (John Hulbert))

Several people, including Horace Sumner came off the M&PP and went directly to work on the DNW&P (Moffat Line).... 

[samfp1943]

mudchicken

(several of the older pieces of equipment now call CRRM-Golden home, including 1890 #1 (John Hulbert))

Several people, including Horace Sumner came off the M&PP and went directly to work on the DNW&P (Moffat Line).... 

 

 The $100 Million, when you add up what the wnershi of the M&PP RR is getting seems to be 'reasonable'(?) 

 

The rack and rails were taken out, and the ROW was re-worked from the 'base' up.  The upper terminal/restaurant, and the lower station, were subject to 'rebuilding'.  (?)

 

New Trains, power and cars were ordered from Stadler, and a new Zaugg Snowblower was built in Switzerland. The rack system was replaced, as the old system was not compatible with the new Stadler equipment.

 

TRAINS has had at least one NEWSwire article, and a FORUM thread on the goings-on at the M&PP RR  

 

Here is a linked article: @  http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/111/p/285214/3293745.aspx