Announcement the ski train will operate this winter. Schedules to come later.
http://www.9news.com/news/local/winter-park-ski-train-returns/307205086
Of course question is where will the equipment come from ? If it is parked weekdays at Denver US then that is one thing. Maybe Amtrak can open the CAL Z for extra coach seats and run them Sunday - Thursday / Friday DEN <> CHI ?
Thats good news. One of my criticisms of Amtrak, especially on the cooridors is they do not persue charter business via marketing and there is plenty of opportunities with their existing equipment pool they do not always need a seperate train of extra equipment.
As I pointed out one or more of the Chicago-Milwaukee trains could be extended just a mere 6 miles from the Amtrak station to Miller Park Stadium parking lot for Brewers Games as the tracks go right past the parking lot. They do this in Dallas using TRE and the train makes a stop at the American Airlines Arena for Mavericks games.
The other thing that is lacking is short charters that could complete in less than a day and have the equipment back so that it is not missed. Milwaukee Road used to run special charter trains to Wisconsin Dells from Chicago for a full day, arrive in the morning depart in afternoon. They would sell out as well. Amtrak could do the same but it seems would rather the coaches sit idle in the Chicago Coach yard.
So maybe and it is my hope Amtrak will see more opportunities here. Without us having to wait another 20-30 years for an opportunity so obvious like the Winter Ski Train.
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