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Glenwood Heritage Train |
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Glenwood Heritage Train Proposal Summary August 30, 2005
A Denver and Boulder based group of investors propose creating an excursion train tourist attraction in Glenwood Springs. The venture will be named the Glenwood Heritage train, Inc.
Operation The Glenwood Heritage Train is a proposed Excursion Train operating on 4.75 miles of existing track south of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The railroad proposes to begin operations by running two heritage excursion trains per day on Saturday and Sundays initially for a four month operating season. More frequent trains will be added as the demand for service grows.
The Railroad will be a unique train ride for all passengers. The Heritage Excursion Train will offer open air rider cars as well as covered coaches. A historical narrative relating the history of the valley and of the railroad will entertain passengers along the route. The Railroad will present different entertainment themes such as "Train Robbery", "American Indian Culture" and "The Rich Railroad History of Colorado".
RF & RG welcomes a bike path along side the right of way and views this as excellent advertising. With trail completion, the railroad anticipates hauling bikers and their bikes one way at a reduced fare with the return trip back down the bike path to Glenwood. The RF & RG also proposes to offer tourists a combination raft/train ticket with the return down the Roaring Fork. A box car will carry bicycles, strollers and rafts. A strategic alliance with licensed rafting and cycling companies would be sought.
Equipment The railroad will operate initially with the small diesel locomotive currently owned by the Glenwood Museum. The heritage train will be a combination of flat rider cars, a covered passenger car and a caboose, which have already been lined up. The passenger car contains bathrooms and concession-souvenir facilities. This train will be equipped with a public address system so that historical narratives can be heard by all passengers.
Facilities The Railroad will have base operations in Glenwood Springs near the railroad "wye". This location has pass tracks as well as storage tracks for cars not being utilized. There is more than enough room to store and repair equipment. Ideally, the railroad would like to utilize the building owned by RFTA in the yards for tool storage and maintenance work.
In Glenwood Springs, tickets will be sold from the Museum office in the depot two blocks away and onboard the train. Train boarding will be conducted at the "wye" using a wooden boarding platform fitted to the cars.
Rail Lease The railroad seeks a lease from RFTA for the 3.5 miles of track south from the Glenwood "wye" to the "pass track" in Buffalo Valley in order to operate the heritage excursion trains. In exchange for a ten year lease, the railroad will pay RFTA $30,000 per year flat lease. The railroad will carry five million dollars worth of liability insurance per the shared use agreement with the Union Pacific Railroad. The railroad will also assume all costs of upgrading signals and track to class one standards per guidelines and specifications of the Federal Railroad Administration Office in Denver, Colorado.
If at any time during the lease period RFTA or any succeeding entity votes to install high speed rail transit on the line, the lease will terminate and the railroad will cease operations.
This proposed lease has no need for RFTA to assist financially in any way.
The founders of the this proposed railroad understand that RFTA has committed to building a trail to connect the communities, and it is the position of railroad that there can be a successful train operation co-existing with that trail. They would in fact complement each other.
Marketing The railroad seeks to capitalize on the two million visitors to Glenwood Springs each year. As the economy and population of Colorado continue to grow, so will the Glenwood to Aspen corridor.
The economic climate in the Glenwood/ Aspen valley is now ripe to support this proposed operation. The Market of Glenwood Springs is located on I-70 which is a major east/west corridor in Colorado. Glenwood Springs has been known for years to be a destination in itself offering a variety of recreational activities including the world famous hot springs. Year after year, most of the surrounding communities such as Aspen and Vail continue to grow not only in population but in tourism dollars as well. The existing market is large enough to support the operation and growing fast enough to benefit the communities for years to come.
The railroad will co-market with and complement existing attractions in both towns increasing exposure for local businesses and attracting tourist dollars.
Because of the scarcity of unused rail lines in the State of Colorado, very few tourist lines exist today. The Georgetown Loop Railroad to the east would be the nearest heritage railroad competitor for this line. Again, due to the nature of this business, we feel co-marketing with the other railroad would only benefit ridership and increase tourism dollars.
Financial The trackage right of way south from Glenwood Springs represents an exciting and memorable activity for those visiting the area. It also represents an untapped financial resource for RFTA. When compared to the other operating tourist railroads in Colorado, this proposed operation has just as much potential if not more for ridership and community benefit. Because the line is essentially flat, ridership growth is a function of marketing rather than a function of equipment tractive effort. There is very little constraint to the number of cars that can be added to the train if the demand soars.
With over two million visitors to Glenwood Springs each year, only a fraction would have to ride the train to make it a viable operation generating tax revenue and complementing existing attractions. A Heritage train is a very high profile business that will attract visitors to both towns who would not have stopped otherwise. National and regional marketing will draw visitors to the area who will frequent restaurants, hotels and other tourist oriented businesses.
Starting Heritage Excursion Train revenue is based on an average 65 riders per train paying an average $13.00 per ticket. Running eight trains per weekend, this equates to 8,320 riders for the first season or $27,040 per month in revenue for summer months only. Last year the Georgetown Loop Railroad to the east on Interstate 70 pulled over 140,000 riders at an even higher ticket price with only three miles of track. The Loop's season also runs from June through September.
The railroad currently owns or has access to all the equipment and rolling stock necessary to begin operations.
Glenwood Heritage Train Principals The Principals to the operation have long and successful histories as owners and operators of various businesses, including railroads, in Colorado. They are as follows:
Matt Armitage - Fifteen year career in finance as company controller for various companies in Colorado including the State of Colorado's largest privately held community corrections company. Mr. Armitage has also worked several seasons as a Conductor, Brakeman and most recently as Fireman and Engineer on steam locomotives on the Georgetown Loop Railroad in Colorado.
Jason Midyette - Owner of the Colorado Timetable published monthly. Mr. Midyette's firm also won the contract from the State of Colorado's Historical Society to rebuild all of the rolling stock for the Georgetown Loop Railroad during the winter of 2004-2005. All of the rebuilt cars are now in use on that railroad after successful and timely completion of that contract. Mr. Midyette also has worked several seasons on the Georgetown Loop in all capacities. Mr. Midyette and Mr. Armitage co-founded the Boulder County Railway Historical Society together in 1996. That nonprofit continues today and can be viewed on the web at www.boulderrail.org.
Community Benefits The RF&RG will generate revenues in excess of $1,000,000. It will create yearly tourism revenues from $3-5,000,000. It will create jobs. It will require the service of many local businesses. Its direct and co-operative marketing will increase tourism Discounts will be offered for visitors to our other attractions. It will be cooperatively marketed with Colorado excursion railroads. An internet marketing site will create nationwide exposure Billboard and handouts will advertise the RF&RG in I-70 corridor and Denver The RF&RG will complement existing attractions giving tourists more to enjoy. The rails are an untapped resource for RFTA and the community, which will be utilized. The RF&RG will promote our rich western and rail history on each heritage train trip
Contact Information Matt Armitage, President Glenwood Heritage Train, Inc. 2811 21st St. Boulder, CO 80304 303-807-5758
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This map can be magnified, scrolled, printed and saved. Switch to a magnification of 25% for route. Wye to 27th street 1.50 mi 27th to Orrison 3.25 mi Total 4.75 mi |
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Update June 20, 2006
At the January 2006 RFTA meeting The Glenwood Heritage Train group proposal for operation over the 4.75 miles to Orrison was turned down. However, GHT was encouraged to consider operation on a shorter 2 mile route to the Glenwood Springs City limits.
After consideration, GHT revised its proposal for operation to the City limits. It has discussed tthe proposal with RFTA staff and is currently seeking approval of the agencies governing various aspects of the operation. As soon as approval of PUC is obtained, GHT will ask RFTA for a lease. It has obtained the needed insurance. It has reached an agreement with the Union Pacific for use of the wye and providing for insular operation.
The proposal below applies if adjusted to 2 miles of operation. |