Steamboat, Colorado

Posted by Anonymous

on Tue, May 9 2006 1:38 PM

I am spending a few days at Steamboat in July and coming from UK I have no idea of the nearest railroad. Nor what I might see or how often.

I shall be grateful for any advice please.

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Posted by nanaimo73

on Tue, May 9 2006 2:22 PM

Do you mean Steamboat Springs ?
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?t=2&s=14&x=107&y=1400&z=13&w=1&qs=%7csteamboat+springs%7c%7c
You will see Union Pacific coal train there on the former Denver and Rio Grande Western's Craig Branch.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locThumbs.aspx?id=19693

To the south is Oak Creek
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=200735
and Phillipsburg
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locThumbs.aspx?id=19461

Dale

Posted by Anonymous

on Tue, May 9 2006 3:10 PM

Dale, Thanks for your help!
Yes, Steamboat Springs.
Bill

Posted by gbrewer

on Tue, May 9 2006 3:50 PM

Bill,

Don't miss Dave Moffatt's private car Marcia in nearby Craig if you get a chance (1906).

Glen

Posted by ndbprr

on Wed, May 10 2006 10:46 AM

the only railroad in town is the old D&RG maimline between Denver and Salt Lake City. When i was there in the 80's skiing there were frequent coal trains and of course the Denver Zephyr. Since the merger I have no idea of train volume. Don't know how you are going to get there but Colorado is loaded with narrow gauge relics and a couple of tourist lines including the Goergetown loop right off I-70 but probably not on the way to Steamboat. Easiest route from Denver is over Rabbit Ears pass a relatively easy one.

Posted by ndbprr

on Wed, May 10 2006 4:13 PM

Ok I was wrong. That was Winter Park where I was on the main at Moffat Tunnel. When I was at Steamboat the only thing running there were coal trains (or was I wrong about that too?).

Posted by Anonymous

on Fri, May 12 2006 1:25 AM

Steamboat Springs is along the UP Craig Branch. I'd guess about 6-8 trains a day go through there, all coal except for a local which runs from Denver to Craig once a week.

Posted by Anonymous

on Fri, May 12 2006 8:52 AM

Thanks to all for the information. Presumably coal trains run to a regular timetable. Is this known? Or do they run as required?

Posted by nanaimo73

on Fri, May 12 2006 11:36 AM

Coal trains usually shuttle back and forth between the mines and the power plants (which could be over 1000 miles away) on an irregular schedule. Very few freight trains in North America run on a timetable.
Will you have access to a car while in Colorado ?
50 miles to the south in Kremmling you would see a lot more freight trains, and Amtrak's California Zephyr.

Dale

Posted by Anonymous

on Fri, May 12 2006 2:48 PM

I might have access to a car.