Steam & Excursion > Colorado steam questions: Pueblo trip & 315

To any of you who rode Saturday's Denver - Pueblo excursion: how was the trip? The website site said that there would be no photo run-bys, but a there was a post on this board stating there would be a photo stop.

Does anyone know if the 315 will be used on Durango & Silverton trains this year?

Thanks, in advance.

Dave

#315 will only be used on charter or special trips. TUT is doing a charter in September with 315. After that check the website.

Dale Brown

No photo runbys or stops on the Joint Line trip, but it was a great trip anyway. Left right on time at 0800 and arrived a few minutes EARLY at Pueblo Union Depot. Ran down the ATSF line from Crewes, so came into Pueblo from the west. Discharged passengers, then train was moved to the shop area for servicing and passengers dispersed to the Colorado State Fair and the little historic district around the depot (short walking tour provided).

I don't have the exact train consist here, but there were four domes, a business car on the rear for VIPs (Congressman Salazar was on the train), and the train looked really sharp. 844 ran like a Swiss watch, marching the train up to the summit at Palmer Lake with almost no help from the diesel (the UP "heritage" DRGW ES44).

Return trip ran east from Pueblo UD to Pueblo Junction, then up the DRGW line. We had a little trouble getting out on the main -- had to wait for a freight -- and then took a LONG time backing into Denver Union Station, so arrival was at about 11:15 PM, but it was a great trip anyway. The Joint Line is a fascinating piece of railroad; scenic, too.

Other highlights of the trip included watching the sun set over Pikes Peak as the train entered Colorado Springs. The Pueblo Chieftain called the trip a "Smashing success" and it was one of the better UP excursions I recall.

Thanks Dale, rresor and Tolland for your replies.

Dave

All those on the train I talked to, including the sponsors (mainly the Pueblo Chieftan) thought the trip was a fantastic success. They were very surprised and thrilled by all the interest shown by all the fans who came out to see the train.

As for the trip itself, well, UP and the trip organizers put on a great show. For starters, they put the "economy" cars up front, close to the engine, which is exactly where the railfan who is mainly interested in the train would want to be.

They also did a great job with the whole package. The food was outstanding, they gave out nice route and train guides, the historic tour of Pueblo was very interesting, and all the car hosts did a fantastic job. They also had some Rocky Mountain Straight Whiskey (Stranahans Colorado Whiskey was the brand) which I can highly recommend!