Announcing Denver RailFest 2019: Monday 9/16/19 through Thursday 9/19/19
Denver RailFest 2019 (DRF) will happen over a 4-day period in mid-September. It represents a return trip to Denver to ride light rail lines or segments that had not been in service when we last visited in 2014, and to ride the three existing commuter rail lines, all of which have opened since our last visit. The official Fest is just 4 days, just spanning the Amtrak round trip on the California Zephyr between Chicago and Denver, and the parts of 2 days within the Denver area. Some time together is also being planned for a Toronto trip on July. Many participants who travel to & from the East Coast might also travel together east of Chicago. In addition, I may also add some personal journeys before and/or after the official 4 days during which anyone is welcome to join. Those extra trips are still being determined.
We haven't had a Fest in September before, so this will be experimental. I think the general consensus points to staying away from July dates for hotter weather destinations like Texas.
On the itinerary for this trip, we will ride the entire A, B, and G commuter rail lines, the recently opened extension of the E/F/R light rail lines beyond Lincoln to Ridgegate Parkway, and the entire R light rail line through Aurora. The homepage for this event includes links to other helpful information.
Being that we are scheduled to arrive in Denver on a Tuesday morning and depart on Wednesday evening, you only will require one night in a hotel on this part of the Fest:
- Tuesday 9/17 (leaving Wednesday 9/18)
Amtrak trains:
- Train #5 departing Chicago on Monday 9/16 and arriving Denver on Tuesday 9/17
- Train #6 departing Denver on Wednesday 9/18 and arriving Chicago on Thursday 9/19
- Plus any other trains needed for extra activities out of Chicago, and your trips between your home station and Chicago.
As usual, our participants do not necessarily remain with the group from start to finish. Folks might leave us early or join us in progress. If you don't wish to travel all the way to Denver for instance, you might still do something else connecting with us in Chicago.
As we get closer to the event, other helpful documents will become available, such as fare information and our participant list. You can start to send me e-mail with your planned participation dates.
DRF 2019 promises to be another fun time on the rails for everyone.