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Preliminary Proposal |
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RF&RG Preliminary Proposal Summary Armitage Investment Group August 9, 2005
A Denver and Boulder based group of investors propose creating a dinner/heritage excursion train tourist attraction operating between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale, Colorado. The venture will be named the Roaring Fork and Rio Grande Railroad.
Operation The RF&RG will operate a 1st class dinner train on Friday and Saturday evenings year round at an average cost of $65/ticket. The dinner train will consist of three dining cars outfitted with white linen table clothes, fine china as well as superb food and wait service. All cars are climate controlled and will afford spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. This service will be reminiscent of the Pullman services of the 1940's.
A heritage excursion train will operate during the day on Saturday and Sunday year round at an average cost of $16/ ticket. 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. RF & RG will present different entertainment themes such as "Train Robbery", "American Indian Culture" and "the rich railroad history of Colorado". The Heritage Train will stop over in Carbondale long enough for passengers to leave the train to explore the town before returning to Glenwood Springs. Combined raft/train trips are planned. Trail users will be offered tickets to take the rail one-way and the trail the other. A boxcar will be added to the train to haul rafts, bikes and baby carriages.
Equipment Initially two classic diesel engines will be provided to provide motive power. The dinner train will operate with three climate controlled 1940's dining cars. The heritage train will be made up of a combination of open and covered passenger cars, a freight car and a caboose.
Facilities A caboose will be provided for a sales office in Carbondale. The Glenwood Springs Railroad Museum, located in the historic downtown train station will provide the sales office in Glenwood. Loading platforms will be built along the tracks in Carbondale and Glenwood. A storage/staff/maintenance facility will be leased in the Glenwood wye. The wye will be used for switching and storage of engines and cars.
Rail Lease RF&RG will seek a 10-year lease for the Rio Grande railroad right of way from RFTA. It will add platforms to the bridges for trail users, upgrade tracks/crossings and assist in planning a parallel trail. The lease revenues will more than pay for a parallel trail and forgone rail salvage.
Financial Full financial plans for 2006-2008 are provided. They project a conservative profitable venture from the first year with meaningful revenues to be shared with RFTA. A significant investment is anticipated providing the capital and operating funds needed to create and sustain a startup venture. Matt Armitage and a group of Denver and Boulder businessmen and investors experienced in railroad equipment and operations are spearheading the venture.
Community Benefits The RF&RG will generate revenues in excess of $1M. It will create tourism revenues of $3-5M. It will create year round 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 within 300 miles. 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 do. 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
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This proposal has been superseded by the downscaled Glenwood Heritage Train proposal |
