The Front Range Passenger Rail District announced plans for three daily round-trip trains between Fort Collins and Denver beginning in 2029. The last passenger service ended in 1967, a year when radios were playing the Beatles’ “Penny Lane” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze.”
In time, the rail district aims for 10 round-trip trains daily along the Front Range to Pueblo, but eventually connecting to New Mexico and Wyoming. In a separate initiative, Colorado expects to begin daily passenger service through the Moffat Tunnel to Granby in November. Extension of service to Steamboat and Craig is the ultimate goal.
Do we really think 19th century technology, if updated, can deliver answers to 21st century challenges?
Rails proliferated across Colorado during the late 19th century. Three railroad companies competed furiously to haul Leadville silver ores. Two companies vied to tap Aspen’s wealth. Durango, Holyoke and Granby are just three of many towns created directly as a result of railroads…