Over at YBWhoUR, I was doing some thinking about how goods make their way across the mountains and into our homes and businesses. While contemplating alternative methods of transportation, I started thinking about our existing seemingly abandoned rail infrastructure. With new activity in the valley up at the Climax mine, there was some conversation around town that seemed to indicate that the rail line might be refurbished and reactivated to transport the ore to a processing facilty further south. With the hope that the line might be reactivated, speculation ranged to the possibility that passenger and commercial goods transport services might once again return to the Arkansas River Valley. Curious about the possibilities, I sent an email to Mark Davis with the Union Pacific Railroad. He responded:
quote, “…I am not aware of anything new regarding the line, it remains out of service, though we are always evaluating our lines and their use.”
So it seems that, for the foreseeable future, our goods will continue to travel in trucks. To explore some more radical transport successes and failures, you may want to read a bit of my other post here on YBWhoUR.
Is there a good alternative method to bring goods to the valley? Add your comments below.
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4 responses so far ↓
1 Reed Dils // Mar 13, 2008 at 10:36 am
Rail traffic in the Arkansas valley would be a disaster. The river corridor has been peaceful for years. Trains going through BV are a huge nuisance. Trust me, as someone who has lived here for over 30 yrs. , the negatives far outweigh the advantages!
2 Keith Baker // Mar 14, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Light passenger rail service wouldn’t be disastrous. Modern transit trains are quiet and clean. Transit trains would be short and would run a limited schedule. Plus, an integrated regional transit system, incorporating a trails network and park-n-ride, would reduce highway traffic, draw growth to existing growth nodes, and enhance quality of life. I would prefer not to see freight traffic again, but I would love to see light passenger service.
3 Lee Hart // Mar 16, 2008 at 10:19 pm
I live x the river from the tracks and I’d love to see a train that just went bumper to bumper between salida and bv all day. Of course, one of the nice, modern QUIET ones Keith mentions above. Think of it - properly outfitted the train could be a shuttle for hikers, bikers, fisheman, rafters, kayakers plus anyone going to/fro salida/bv as so many of us do so often. It’d reduce traffic and traffic tickets on the Gauntlet and that would be a definite plus for us all.
4 Keith Baker // Mar 25, 2008 at 11:17 am
Check this link:
http://coloradorailcar.com/dmuhome.htm
And built in Colorado no less!
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