Trains.com

With the power plant shutting down, is Colorado's Craig Branch doomed?

2340 views
5 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    August 2013
  • 88 posts
With the power plant shutting down, is Colorado's Craig Branch doomed?
Posted by Shrike Arghast on Thursday, January 20, 2022 12:49 AM

I just read an article about the Craig, CO power station closing down. I was under the impression that coal was pretty much what kept this branch (barely) viable, though there do appear to be a fair number of hopper cars present in Craig satelite photos on Google Earth. Does the plant's closure mean abandonment? And does this imperil the Moffat Line as a whole, considering that traffic has been drying up?

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,492 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, January 20, 2022 10:14 AM

I don't think that the Moffat Tunnel line is going anywhere soon.  Traffic is thin but the BNSF trackage rights help.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,790 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, January 20, 2022 10:32 AM

Seriously doubt the branch is going anywhere. May have a little less priority though in Uncle Pete's world, Bond/Orestod  to Craig/Axial/Energy.....

(And then there is the Uintah Basin RR hiding in the weeds, Moffat & Sumner's dream may yet happen.)

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,790 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, January 20, 2022 10:39 AM

CSSHEGEWISCH

I don't think that the Moffat Tunnel line is going anywhere soon.  Traffic is thin but the BNSF trackage rights help.

 

....plus Amthrax and all the ski/luxury train operators

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Sterling Heights, Michigan
  • 1,673 posts
Posted by SD60MAC9500 on Thursday, January 20, 2022 11:02 AM
Rahhhhhhhhh!!!!
  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 602 posts
Posted by Bruce Kelly on Thursday, January 20, 2022 11:53 AM

Don't discount the potential for a new shipper to materialize in or around Craig.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy