Winter Park Express
{{Short description|Seasonal train service between Denver and Winter Park Resort, Colorado}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Redirect|Ski Train|the general topic|Ski train}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Winter Park Express
| type = Inter-city rail
| image = Winter Park Express at Plainview.jpg
| image_width = 300px
| caption = Denver-bound Winter Park Express in March 2022
| status = Seasonal (January–March)
| locale = Colorado
| first = {{Start date and age|1940}}
| operator = Amtrak
| formeroperator = Rio Grande
| ridership2 = {{Amtrak ridership|Winter Park Resort}} ({{Amtrak ridership|date}}){{Amtrak ridership|citationCO}}| website = {{URL|amtrak.com/winter-park-express}}
| start = {{Amtk|Denver}}, Colorado
| end = Fraser–Winter Park station, Colorado
| distance = {{Convert|62|mi|abbr=out}}
| frequency = Five round trips per week
| line_used = UP Central Corridor
| trainnumber = 1105 (westbound)
1106 (eastbound)
| class = Coach Class
| access = Train lower level, all stations
| catering = Café
| observation = Sightseer lounge car
| baggage = Overhead racks, dedicated storage for skis
| stock = GE Genesis
Superliner
| gauge = {{Track_gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| speed = {{Convert|27|mph|abbr=on}}
| map = {{Winter Park Express map}}
}}
The Winter Park Express is a seasonal passenger train service operated by Amtrak between Denver Union Station, Winter Park Resort, and Fraser, Colorado. The scenic {{convert|56|mi|adj=on}} route uses the same line as the California Zephyr, climbing {{convert|4000|ft}} into the Front Range and passing through 30 tunnels—including the historic {{convert|6.2|mi|adj=on|abbr=out}} Moffat Tunnel under the Continental Divide—before dropping passengers within {{convert|100|yd|m}} of Winter Park's ski lifts. {{As of|2025}}, the Winter Park Express runs Thursday to Monday, January to March.
The route, formerly known as the Ski Train was started by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad (better known simply as the Rio Grande) when the ski area opened in 1940. Ansco Investment Company ran the Ski Train from 1988 to March 2009, when service was canceled due to mounting costs. Amtrak revived the route in January 2017, after several sold-out special event trains in 2015 showed popular demand. In 2025, more than 41,000 riders made use of the system during the 3-month seasonal service.
History
= 1940–1988: Rio Grande operation =
The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad started the Ski Train in 1940.
There was one trip in each direction per day, with a travel time of 2 hours and 15 minutes, assuming no delays from freight rail traffic.
In the 1960s, 22-car trains to Winter Park were regularly moving an estimated 1,800 passengers, many of them young, unsupervised and sometimes rowdy. On one trip, a youngster pulled the emergency brake on a moving train, damaging one coach's coupler and steam line. After the incident, the railroad hired three sheriff's deputies to patrol the train.{{Cite web |title=The Winter Park Ski Train |url=https://www.skimuseum.net/images/upload/PageContent/1275434123.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313043453/https://www.skimuseum.net/images/upload/PageContent/1275434123.pdf |archive-date=March 13, 2017 |access-date=January 23, 2019 |publisher=Colorado Ski Museum}}{{Cite web |last=Masia |first=Seth |title=Ski Trains: A History |url=https://skiinghistory.org/history/ski-trains-history |access-date=November 11, 2021 |website=skiinghistory.org |publisher=International Skiing History Association}}
At least during the early 1970s, the train made a stop in the Rocky Flats area.{{Cite web |title=All aboard for future of Winter Park Ski Train service |url=http://www.skyhinews.com/news/business/all-aboard-for-future-of-winter-park-ski-train-service/ |website=SkyHiDailyNews.com|date=March 20, 2015 }}
= 1988–2009: Ansco Investment Company operation =
File:D&RGW Ski Train 01.jpg, 2003|left]] File:Denver Ski Train 2003.jpg
In 1988 the operation was sold to Ansco Investment Company, which made various needed improvements and ran the “New Ski Train” for two decades under the reporting mark SKTX.{{Cite web |title=Railroad Reporting Marks -- S |url=http://www.pwrr.org/rrm/rrms.html |access-date=November 11, 2021 |website=www.pwrr.org |publisher=Piedmont and Western Railroad Club}}
In this era the Ski Train consisted of three locomotives pulling fourteen cars: eight coaches, three club cars, two cafe lounge cars, and one retreat car. The train accommodated 750 passengers.{{Cite web |date=December 2, 2015 |title=The Winter Park Ski Train |url=https://visitwinterpark.com/2015/12/winter-park-ski-train/ |access-date=November 10, 2021 |publisher=Visit Winter Park, Colorado}}
On January 21, 2006, the return trip was canceled after a coal train derailment blocked the line, leaving some 700 passengers stuck in Winter Park. Buses were summoned to provide return transportation to Denver, and refunds offered to those who made alternate arrangements.{{Cite web |date=May 27, 2006 |title=URGENT ADVISORY |url=http://www.skitrain.com/urgentadvisory.htmL |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527023425/http://www.skitrain.com/urgentadvisory.htmL |archive-date=May 27, 2006}}{{Cite web |title=DRGW.NET - Rio Grande News Archives from January 2006 |url=http://www.drgw.net/news/news-archive-1-2006.html}} Just two months later, on March 19, another freight train derailment delayed the return Ski Train for almost six hours, with the train arriving in Denver around midnight.{{Cite web |date=March 20, 2006 |title=Rocky Mountain News: Local |url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0%2C1299%2CDRMN_15_4555690%2C00.html |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060320121200/http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0%2C1299%2CDRMN_15_4555690%2C00.html |archive-date=March 20, 2006}}
In 2007, a blizzard forced cancellation of service on December 29 and 30.{{Cite web |date=December 29, 2006 |title=Colorado Ski Train Opens 2006 Season |url=https://cosnow.com/2006/12/29/colorado-ski-train-opens/}}
The Ski Train made its final run to Winter Park on March 29, 2009. It had been burdened with escalating costs such as liability insurance coverage, operational conflicts with freight traffic, and substantial uncertainties posed by the redevelopment of Denver's Union Station. Combined with the global financial crisis, it was no longer feasible to operate the Ski Train.
The equipment was sold to the Algoma Central Railway, a subsidiary of Canadian National Railway. Ironically, the Ski Train's cars had been originally built in 1968 by Hawker Siddeley for use on CN's Tempos. The F40PH locomotives and most passenger cars were refurbished and repainted to Algoma Central's livery and are now in use on the railway's Agawa Canyon tourist train.{{Cite web |date=November 17, 2010 |title=Agawa Canyon tour train to be refurbished, repainted |url=http://www.marp.org/?p=2529 |website=Trains Magazine |via=Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers}}
{{Clear left}}
= 2009: Iowa Pacific Holdings revival bid=
Iowa Pacific Holdings (IPH), a holding company that owned railroad properties across North America and the United Kingdom (including San Luis & Rio Grande in southern Colorado), made a bid to revive the Ski Train using idle equipment from SL&RG's subsidiary, Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.{{Cite news |last=Leib |first=Jeffrey |date=September 18, 2009 |title=All are aboard plan to revive Ski Train runs |work=The Denver Post |url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13362260}}{{Cite news |last=Leib |first=Jeffrey |date=August 5, 2009 |title=Colorado Ski Train revival gathers steam |work=The Denver Post |url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_12993517}} Plans fell through due to Amtrak, who would be supplying staff, classifying the Ski Train as a commuter operation instead of an excursion train, resulting in higher liability insurance.{{Cite news |last=Leib |first=Jeffrey |date=December 29, 2009 |title=Problems derail revival of Ski Train |work=The Denver Post |url=http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14084331}} Iowa Pacific sued Amtrak, with Amtrak agreeing to settle the matter on December 23, 2009, five days prior to the first day operations were to commence (December 27), with a payment to Iowa Pacific. Full refunds were made by IPH to customers who purchased tickets.
= 2015–present: Amtrak ''Winter Park Express'' =
File:Winter Park Express at Winter Park (1), January 2018.jpg
In February 2015, Amtrak, Winter Park Resort and the Union Pacific Railroad announced that a special one-day-only "Winter Park Express" train would run on Saturday, March 14, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Winter Park. With tickets priced at $75, all 400 seats sold out within 12 hours.{{Cite news |date=February 26, 2015 |title=Tickets sell out for train from Denver to Winter Park |work=9News |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.9news.com/story/travel/2015/02/26/tickets-sell-out-for-train-from-denver-to-winter-park/24080357/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150227065249/http://www.9news.com/story/travel/2015/02/26/tickets-sell-out-for-train-from-denver-to-winter-park/24080357/ |archive-date=February 27, 2015}}{{Cite news |last=Stanley |first=Deb |date=February 25, 2015 |title=Winter Park Ski Train returns - for 1 day - through partnership with Amtrak |work=7News Denver |url=http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/winter-park-ski-train-returns-for-1-day-through-partnership-with-amtrak}}{{Cite news |last=Blevins |first=Jason |date=February 25, 2015 |title=Amtrak revives Ski Train for one day to celebrate Winter Park's 75th |work=The Denver Post |url=http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_27596939/amtrak-revives-ski-train-one-day-celebrate-winter}} By popular demand, a second train was added for Sunday, March 15, and it also sold out quickly.{{Cite news |last=Paul |first=Jesse |date=March 3, 2015 |title=Amtrak adds second Winter Park Ski Train trip from Denver |work=The Denver Post |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27631314/amtrak-adds-second-winter-park-ski-train-trip?source=pkg}}
File:174AMMoffattwest.jpg in 2024]]
With demonstrated enthusiasm for the excursion train, there were renewed hopes that the Ski Train would again operate seasonally from the recently redeveloped Denver Union Station public transit complex.{{Cite news |last=Blevins |first=Jason |date=March 3, 2015 |title=2nd Ski Train sells out in 4 hours, stirs hope of Denver-to-Winter Park rail service revival |work=The Denver Post |url=http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_27631595/2nd-ski-train-stirs-hope-denver-winter-park}}{{Cite web |last=Herbert |first=Kiran |date=March 3, 2015 |title=All Aboard the Winter Park Express |url=http://www.5280.com/news/digital/2015/03/all-aboard-winter-park-express |website=5280.com |access-date=March 13, 2015 |archive-date=March 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311211612/http://www.5280.com/news/digital/2015/03/all-aboard-winter-park-express |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |last=Biolsi |first=Peter |date=March 5, 2015 |title=All Aboard! Winter Park & Amtrak Revive Ski Train for Celebratory Journey |url=http://www.onthesnow.com/news/a/594746/all-aboard--winter-park---amtrak-revive-ski-train-for-celebratory-journey |website=On The Snow |access-date=March 14, 2015 |archive-date=March 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315043704/http://www.onthesnow.com/news/a/594746/all-aboard--winter-park---amtrak-revive-ski-train-for-celebratory-journey |url-status=dead }} In April, Amtrak and Winter Park officials met to begin work on a proposal to track owner Union Pacific for running at least two trips weekly between January and March 2016.{{Cite web |date=April 20, 2015 |title=Ski Train revival in the works after two sell-out weekends |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27953295/ski-train-revival-in-the-works-after-two-sellout-weekends |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625064704/http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27953295/ski-train-revival-in-the-works-after-two-sellout-weekends?source=infinite |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |access-date=April 24, 2015 |website=The Denver Post}} Ultimately the negotiations were unable to make the service happen in 2016, but all groups continued to meet into the new year.{{Cite web |title=Winter Park Ski Train: 'We're Still Working On It' |url=http://www.cpr.org/news/newsbeat/winter-park-ski-train-were-still-working-it |access-date=November 11, 2015 |archive-date=November 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114012302/http://www.cpr.org/news/newsbeat/winter-park-ski-train-were-still-working-it |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |title=Winter Park Ski Train Unlikely To Return This Season, Says Resort |url=https://www.cpr.org/news/newsbeat/winter-park-ski-train-unlikely-return-season-says-resort |access-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222113001/https://www.cpr.org/news/newsbeat/winter-park-ski-train-unlikely-return-season-says-resort |url-status=dead }}
In August 2016, Amtrak and its partners announced regular Winter Park Express weekend service from January through March 2017.{{Cite web |date=August 24, 2016 |title=Amtrak, Union Pacific and Winter Park offer weekend Ski Train service between Denver and Grand County ski area |url=http://www.denverpost.com/2016/08/24/denver-to-winter-park-ski-train-returning/ |access-date=August 24, 2016}}{{Cite web |title=Special Weekend Train to Winter Park Resort |url=https://www.amtrak.com/WinterParkExpress |access-date=November 15, 2016 |publisher=Amtrak}} In its first full season, the Winter Park Express ran 25 trips and saw 18,000 passengers, about 30% of which were non-skiers.{{Cite news |last=Garvey |first=John |date=June 4, 2017 |title=How the Ski Train got back on track |language=en-US |work=ColoradoBiz |url=https://www.cobizmag.com/how-the-ski-train-got-back-on-track/ |access-date=January 19, 2022}} The train suffered one major service disruption on March 11, 2017, when a freight train derailment forced the cancellation of the Saturday run.{{Cite web |date=March 11, 2017 |title=Winter Park Express canceled Saturday because of freight train derailment |url=http://www.denverpost.com/2017/03/11/winter-park-express-canceled-saturday-because-of-freight-train-derailment/ |website=The Denver Post}}{{Cite web |title=Winter Park Express service canceled Saturday |url=https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/winter-park-express-service-canceled-saturday/73-421679684 |website=KUSA|date=March 11, 2017 }}
After a successful first season, expanded service was announced for the 2017–18 season, including first-Friday round trips and lower ticket prices for some departures.{{Cite web |date=August 24, 2017 |title=Amtrak adds three Friday round-trips, reduced fares to Winter Park Express Ski Train for 2018 |url=http://www.denverpost.com/2017/08/24/amtrak-adds-three-friday-round-trips-reduced-fares-winter-park-express-ski-train-2018/}} Amtrak added a Superliner Sightseer lounge and café car to the train for the 2018–19 season, featuring food and drink service along with floor-to-ceiling views. This upgrade had been the "biggest request" from riders.{{Cite news |last=Renoux |first=Matt |date=January 4, 2019 |title=Winter Park Express now features lounge car with food, drink service |work=9News |url=https://www.9news.com/article/life/style/colorado-guide/winter-park-express-now-features-lounge-car-with-food-drink-service/73-214fcdca-857a-4277-a312-99ecf3f68230 |access-date=January 16, 2022}} For the 2019–20 season, Winter Park's 80th, service was added on every Friday.{{Cite web |date=October 10, 2019 |title=Amtrak Winter Park Express 2020 tickets now available |url=https://winterparktimes.com/outdoors/amtrak-winter-park-express-2020-tickets-now-available/,%20https://winterparktimes.com/outdoors/amtrak-winter-park-express-2020-tickets-now-available/ |access-date=January 6, 2020 |website=Winter Park Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The Winter Park Express is Back and Launching its 2020 Season - Colorado Ski Country USA |url=https://www.coloradoski.com/blog/winter-park-express-back-and-launching-its-2020-season |access-date=January 6, 2020 |website=www.coloradoski.com |date=December 20, 2019 |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321201634/https://www.coloradoski.com/blog/winter-park-express-back-and-launching-its-2020-season/ |url-status=dead }}
In March 2020, the Winter Park Express was suspended during a round of Amtrak service reductions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite press release |title=Service Adjustments Due to Coronavirus |date=March 24, 2020 |publisher=Amtrak |url=https://www.amtrak.com/alert/nec-modified-schedule.html |access-date=March 25, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325190328/https://www.amtrak.com/alert/nec-modified-schedule.html |archive-date=March 25, 2020 |author=}} The train did not run in the 2021 season. Amtrak reported total ridership of nearly 70,000 from the train's introduction in 2017 through to the 2020 service suspension.{{Cite news |date=November 9, 2021 |title=Amtrak Winter Park Express Back for the 2022 Winter Season |publisher=Amtrak |url=https://media.amtrak.com/2021/11/amtrak-winter-park-express-back-for-the-2022-winter-season/ |access-date=November 10, 2021}}
In November 2021, Amtrak and Winter Park Resort announced that service would return for the 2022 season. The train ran on its 2019 schedule, with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday service from mid-January through early April.{{Cite news |last=Harford |first=McKenna |date=November 9, 2021 |title=Winter Park Express to return for 2022 season |work=Sky-Hi News |url=https://www.skyhinews.com/news/winter-park-express-to-return-for-2022-season/ |access-date=November 10, 2021}}{{Cite web |date=November 9, 2021 |title=Amtrak Winter Park Express returns |url=https://www.9news.com/article/life/style/colorado-guide/winter-park-ski-train-2022/73-8eee1012-2df4-4556-b985-61300ce291a8 |access-date=November 9, 2021 |website=KUSA.com |language=en-US}}
The 2023 season ran for eleven weekends starting on January 13, for 33 total round trips.{{cite news |title=Tickets go on sale for 2023 season of Amtrak's Winter Park Express |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/tickets-go-on-sale-for-2023-season-of-amtraks-winter-park-express/ |access-date=November 30, 2022 |magazine=Trains |date=November 30, 2022}} The 2024 season ran weekends from January 12 to March 31, plus two Thursdays, for a total of 40 round trips.{{cite news |last1=Jarpe |first1=Samantha |title=Winter Park Express returns in January 2024 |url=https://kdvr.com/news/local/winter-park-express-returns-in-january-2024/ |access-date=6 December 2023 |work=FOX31 Denver |date=4 December 2023}}
In November 2024 it was announced that for the 2025 season the train would run five times a week from Thursday to Monday between January 9th and March 31st. In addition, the train would also run Friday to Sunday on the last two weekends of December 2024. Service was extended to Fraser–Winter Park station.{{cite news |last1=Cooke |first1=Kyle |title=The Winter Park Express expands service, cuts prices for 2025 season |url=https://www.rmpbs.org/blogs/news/winter-park-express-2025-service-prices |access-date=4 November 2024 |work=Rocky Mountain PBS |date=4 November 2024 |language=en}} As a result of the expanded schedule and lowered prices, the service saw record ridership in the 2025 season, with more than 41,000 bookings made, according to the State of Colorado.{{Cite web |last=Minor |first=Nathaniel |date=2025-03-20 |title=The state lowered prices on the Winter Park ski train. Bookings jumped by 25,000 |url=https://www.cpr.org/2025/03/20/the-state-lowered-prices-on-the-winter-park-ski-train-bookings-jumped-by-25000/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=Colorado Public Radio |language=en}}
=Future plans=
{{Mountain Rail map}}
In June 2021, Colorado created a district to advance Front Range Passenger Rail, a proposed train service between Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins.{{Cite news |last=Luczak |first=Marybeth |date=July 1, 2021 |title=Report: Front Range Passenger Rail Moving Forward |work=Railway Age |url=https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/intercity/report-front-range-passenger-rail-moving-forward/ |access-date=November 24, 2021}} The legislation specifically calls for interconnectivity with the Winter Park Express.{{Cite web |last1=Gray |first1=Matt |last2=Esgar |first2=Daneya |last3=Zenzinger |first3=Rachel |last4=Garcia |first4=Leroy |title=SB21-238 Create Front Range Passenger Rail District |url=https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sB21-238 |access-date=January 19, 2022 |publisher=Colorado General Assembly}} Rail advocates have seen the Winter Park Express as a springboard for building interest in Front Range service.
In September 2023, local officials expressed interest in extending the Winter Park Express to Steamboat Springs to connect more ski resorts. In addition to tourist service, regular commuter rail is proposed between Winter Park, State Bridge, Bond, Yampa, Oak Creek, Steamboat Springs, Hayden, and Craig, with a spur to Yampa Valley Regional Airport. The proposal aims to capitalize on increased line capacity due to a reduction in coal and oil transport.{{cite web |last1=Weinberg |first1=Harrison |title=Colorado officials reshuffle Moffat Tunnel least team as passenger rail push accelerates |url=https://coloradonewsline.com/2023/09/26/colorado-moffat-tunnel-lease-team-as-passenger-rail-push-accelerates/ |website=coloradonewsline.com |date=September 26, 2023 |access-date=September 27, 2023}}
In December 2024, Union Pacific and the state reached a tentative agreement to extend the railroad's lease of the Moffat Tunnel by 25 years. Under that agreement, daily year-round service between Denver and Grand County could begin by late 2026, with possible expansion to three daily round trips between Denver and Craig.{{cite news |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2024/12/23/moffat-tunnel-union-pacific-negotiations-lease-deal-colorado-mountain-rail/ |title=New Moffat Tunnel deal moves daily passenger train to mountain communities a step closer to reality |date=December 23, 2024 |access-date=December 24, 2024 |newspaper=Denver Post |first=Nick |last=Coltrain}}
Route
File:Winter Park Express at Winter Park (2), January 2018.jpg west portal, January 2018]]
The Winter Park Express runs from Union Station in Denver, Colorado, for {{convert|56|mi|km}} to Winter Park Resort in the town of Winter Park, then continues to Fraser–Winter Park station. Heading west from Denver, the train climbs {{convert|3960|ft|m}} up the Front Range via a series of 29 tunnels—the "Tunnel District"—through the Plainview, Crescent, Wondervu and Gross Reservoir areas, then generally west along South Boulder Creek through Pinecliffe, Tolland and Rollinsville to the final mountain underpass, the {{convert|6.2|mi|km|adj=on}} long Moffat Tunnel under the Continental Divide. This is the highest railroad tunnel in the United States and the third-longest, after the Cascade Tunnel in Washington state and the Flathead Tunnel in Montana.
When the Winter Park Express is not operating, riders can still reach Winter Park via Amtrak's long-distance California Zephyr. This daily train follows the same route from Denver but does not stop directly at Winter Park Resort's platform. Instead, riders can disembark several miles down the track at Fraser–Winter Park station, where transit buses operated by the city's "The Lift" service connects to the resort. Travelers thus have two train options to travel between Denver and Winter Park on days when the Winter Park Express is running.
{{clear}}
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.amtrak.com/winter-park-express Amtrak–Winter Park Express]
- [https://www.playwinterpark.com/winterparkexpress Winter Park Resort–Winter Park Express]
{{Amtrak routes|state=collapsed}}
Category:Passenger rail transportation in Colorado
Category:Transportation in Denver
Category:Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad
Category:Railway services introduced in 1940