Western Railroad Discussion > New Car for the RGX/Royal Gorge Train in Canon City Co

Sitting in the 4 track interchange yard in Pueblo Colo this morning, Oct 20 2021, was this. PPCX 800275 now CRRX 275 Dome-Observation Car Sierra Hotel. Originally CB&Q 251 Silver Lounge as a Dome-Lounge-Dormitory Car for use in the California Zephyr Pool. Went to AMTRAK as their 9811 then sold to a Private Interest who rebuilt it to current configuration as a Dome-Observation. Built by BUDD in 11/1948.  Originally came into Pueblo Co on the BNSF and sat in their yard for a few days before being delivered to the UP where it sat again for a few days, possibly a week. Now in Interchange Yard for further delivery west. More than likely by Rock & Rail. They, RRRR pretty much have daily except weekend service from Pueblo to Canon City. Might make it out on tonight's local.  Ben

---

---

---

I've always considered Sierra Hotel to be the ultimate private car with the dome/open end Obs combo.  It's a shame no fun Amtrak doesn't allow patrons to ride the open platforms anymore.

Wonder if rear platform riding on SIERRA HOTEL will be possible at the Cañon City & Royal Gorge RR in coming months-?!

It will be interesting to see what they do with this car.  It's got a lot of bells and whistles (like Amtrak Certification) that they don't need.  Plus while you could ride the platform, with their "Pull/shove" operations, it presumably won't be rear-most on the train since they use a shoving-platform car for the reverse moves. 

Topfuel Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It will be interesting to see what they do with
> this car.  It's got a lot of bells and whistles
> (like Amtrak Certification) that they don't
> need.  Plus while you could ride the platform,
> with their "Pull/shove" operations, it presumably
> won't be rear-most on the train since they use a
> shoving-platform car for the reverse moves. 

I was wondering the same thing. Gonna be interesting to see how they use it. Perhaps something akin to how they plan to use the ex Escalante Western Caboose they got with the 3 SD40-2's they received. Lease/Charter Trips. But then again, how to change ends as the only option on the Parkdale end is thru the loading loop at the quarry. Don't really see that happening.  Ben

any way to build a loop at each end?

dan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> any way to build a loop at each end?

Anything on the west end, would have to be on Martin Marietta Property as they run and own the grounds around the quarry area. East end, all trackage for the most part is UP Owned. There is perhaps some small amount of trackage off the UP Tenn Pass Sub at 11th St in Canon City going east and south of the Main in town that provides access to the RGX Shops, but the west end is really where one would be better suited to build at, in my opinion. There used to be a wye on the east end to the south, but not there anymore. They could use the siding on the east end to run around, but then where do you park the Tourist Train at, as it sits on the Main Line. There is land to maybe do something like a small loop or wye possibly but not sure how difficult it would be to obtain it.  Just speculating on all this tho. Ben

What about its mate?

Bill Deaver
Tehachapi, CA