8 replies to this topic

[Sloan]

 

The Ski Train rides again. Briefly.

Amtrak and Winter Park ski area are reviving the venerable Ski Train with a one-day round-trip between Denver's Union Station and the Grand County resort March 14.

http://www.denverpos...elebrate-winter

[CNJRoss]

Amtrak news release, 3/3:

 

ANOTHER ROUND-TRIP TRAIN NOW AVAILABLE TO

CELEBRATE WINTER PARK’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY
Amtrak and Winter Park Resort operate a ski excursion train on March 15;
$75 round-trip fare includes $15 gift voucher

 

WINTER PARK, Colo. – Due to overwhelming demand, Amtrak and Winter Park Resort will operate another Winter Park Express excursion train on March 15, taking passengers and their ski gear by Amtrak train from Denver Union Station directly to the resort that morning -- then back to Denver that evening -- in celebration of the resort’s 75th anniversary. The March 14 ski excursion train sold out in ten hours.

 

For each round-trip adult railfare of $75, passengers will avoid I-70 and US-40 and receive a $15 gift voucher for use in resort restaurants and retail stores, with discounted lift tickets available in advance by calling the resort at 888-923-7275.

 

Rather than enduring the stop-and-go “ski traffic,” Amtrak passengers Enjoy the journey® on the historic Union Pacific Railroad route, with the Winter Park Express stopping at the resort after passing through the landmark Moffat Tunnel.

 

The Winter Park Express will depart Denver at 7:00 a.m. and arrive at the resort at 9:00 a.m., leaving Winter Park at 4:15 p.m.to return to Denver at 6:15 p.m. All times local.

 

“The strong customer response for the Saturday (March 14) trip and the availability of the railcars and locomotives led Amtrak and the resort to make a second ski excursion train run that Sunday (March 15),” said Mark Murphy, the Chicago-based Amtrak General Manager responsible for the excursion. “Thanks to Union Pacific railroad for allowing Amtrak to make a second round-trip that weekend.”

 

“Amtrak adding another train on Sunday is a clear response to the incredible enthusiasm people have for direct train service from Denver to Winter Park Resort,” said Gary DeFrange, Winter Park Resort President and COO. “Most of all, it’s an exciting illustration of the momentum this excursion has generated in such a short period of time. We share the public’s passion for this train as well as its hope for regular rail service in the future.”

 

Tickets for up to 460 passengers to ride on March 15 are available from Amtrak.com/WinterParkExpress or by calling the resort at 888-923-7275. Up to two children ages 2-12 per adult can travel at half-fare and Amtrak Guest Rewards points can be earned on this excursion. More information is available on Amtrak.com.

[KevinKorell]

Denver, CO Post, 3//3/15:

 

 

Amtrak adds second Winter Park ski train trip from Denver

 

 

Amtrak has added a second Ski Train trip from Denver to Winter Park Resort later this month after overwhelming demand for what was originally planned as a one-time-only revival.

 

All 400 tickets for the first trip — created as part of the ski area's 75th anniversary — on March 14 sold out in 10 hours. The second trip will run the next day, March 15, Amtrak announced on Tuesday.

 

More

[KevinKorell]

Amtrak code for Winter Park excursion is WPE.  Train numbers are 945 westbound and 946 eastbound but one must book DEN-WPE only for the round trip. Looks like 1 seat left both days at the present time I checked.   And they are apparently using Superliner equipment since they were selling upper and lower levels.

 

Not that I'm going skiing.... I'll be going to Florida.

[KevinKorell]

KUSA-TV, Channel 9 in Denver, CO, 3/6/15:

 

Winter Park, Amtrak want return of ski train

 

 

Once a train gets rolling it's hard to stop. Next weekend, the ski train will return for two days, taking skiers from Denver to Winter Park.

 

News story

[Sloan]

 

 

Local Amtrak Ski Train visits Winter Park again, after 5 years off

Video here:  http://kdvr.com/2015...er-5-years-off/

 

What are BNSF diesels doing on the point?  I thought Uncle Pete was hauling the train.  

 

Sloan

[BillMagee]

Local Amtrak Ski Train visits Winter Park again, after 5 years off

Video here:  http://kdvr.com/2015...er-5-years-off/
 
What are BNSF diesels doing on the point?  I thought Uncle Pete was hauling the train.  
 
Sloan

It appears the TV location shot used an approaching freight with BNSF power to set the scene. The Amtrak Ski Train was led by two Amtrak P42's, with the veteran's unit (#42) at the point.

[KevinKorell]

Curbed, 3/17/15:

 

Vote Now: Would You Ride Winter Park's Ski Train Next Winter?

 

 

After selling-out 900 tickets for the two-day revival of Colorado's beloved ski train, it looks like interested parties will work hard to resume regular rail service between Winter Park and Denver next winter. The ski train originally began operation in 1940 and ran on ski season weekends through 2009 before the train shut down due to rising costs and declining profits. But when Amtrak announced they would host two one-time rides on March 14 and March 15 to celebrate Winter Park's 75th anniversary, Denver skiers bought the $75 tickets in a matter of hours. Now, we're asking you, Curbediverse, whether you think the ski train should ride again.

 

Article & vote here.

[KevinKorell]

Denver, CO Post. 3/16/15:

 

Winter Park Ski Train "part of our legacy, part of our history"

 

The revival of the venerable Winter Park Ski Train over the weekend thrilled riders and bolstered the chances for a return next season of the historic link between Denver and its Grand County ski resort.

 

"There is so much demand for this thing, it's going to be hard for them to say no," Gary DeFrange, the longtime president of Winter Park ski area, said as he prepared to board one of Amtrak's seven Superliner cars at Union Station early Saturday.

 

Read more