Passenger Trains > No more Rocky Mountaineer from Denver after 2025…

Apparently rebranding as “The Canyon Spirit”
https://www.thecanyonspirit.com/experience

My wife and I took it last year and really liked it. They do a fine job and have a wonderful staff that can figure problems out and fix them so fast you hardly know anything went wrong.

Bruce Stikkers
St. Joseph, IL

They've now EXTENDED this journey into a two day rail option (Denver to Glenwood Springs to Moab) or a three day rail option (Denver to Glenwood Springs to Moab AND then rail to Salt Lake City). From the website: https://www.thecanyonspirit.com/destinations. This is a VERY natural extension, and I wouldn't be surprised if more may be coming in a couple of years. 

Three-day rail journey option: DENVER • GLENWOOD SPRINGS • MOAB • SALT LAKE CITY. Building on the epic Denver to Moab itinerary, this three-day option includes an additional travel day by rail spent soaking in the splendor of Utah's hidden gems between Moab and Salt Lake City. Set amidst sandstone cliffs and alluring ghost towns, the elevated mountain pass is the highlight on this scenic route. This journey provides a deeper rail exploration of the region, perfect for those hoping to maximize their train experience with time in the vibrant city and flight hub, Salt Lake City.

PS - presumably, Rocky Mountaineer has secured additional Silver Leaf cars so as to make this "extension" possible to Salt Lake City. 



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/18/25 15:30 by jp1822.

Actually, I am surprised they just don't make it into a two day journey with overnight in Moab, as opposed to Glenwood Springs. Then Moab to Salt Lake City. I am sure they could "speed it along a little bit more" to get to Moab in one day. It's only like a half day journey, at best, from Glenwood Springs to Moab. Perhaps there's contracts in 2026 that they can't get out of, and this is the eventual plan?  forget the exact schedule Denver to Moab. The Canadian Rocky Mountaineer trains leave even earlier in the morning and arrive closer to 6 pm at their final destination. Off the top of my head I think the train current leaves Denver around 9 am and arrives into Glenwood Springs at about 4 pm. The CA Zephyr has a faster journey to Glenwood Springs, while the Rocky Mountaineer "takes it time." But it is all a vacation, so one night in Glenwood after a sauntering trip up from Denver and same to Moab! 

oh neat, guess they have been working on this for awhile!  Didn't think about a different name, they could still offer both itinerary's see what sells where, SLC folks have a good  schedule   departure time finally.  No vegas at this time?   ride this run while you can if you like vestibules!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/18/25 17:18 by dan.

You think they are trying to reduce confusion with the company's operations in Canada?

Glaad to see its expanding, just from a business POV.

Not for me tho...  Im a railfan, not a cruise and/or luxury person.   A seat in the SSL and a hot dog from downstairs, and Im fine.

a couple years on the railroad, 5 years as a meteorlogist, 25 years as an airline pilot, 10 years as an actor/comedian, and 2 daughters...Ive had enough experiences.   My parents were part of the "experience" crowd.  I had nothing in common with them....LOL


 

jp1822 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Actually, I am surprised they just don't make it
> into a two day journey with overnight in Moab, as
> opposed to Glenwood Springs. Then Moab to Salt
> Lake City. I am sure they could "speed it along a
> little bit more" to get to Moab in one day. It's
> only like a half day journey, at best, from
> Glenwood Springs to Moab. Perhaps there's
> contracts in 2026 that they can't get out of, and
> this is the eventual plan?  forget the exact
> schedule Denver to Moab. The Canadian Rocky
> Mountaineer trains leave even earlier in the
> morning and arrive closer to 6 pm at their final
> destination. Off the top of my head I think the
> train current leaves Denver around 9 am and
> arrives into Glenwood Springs at about 4 pm. The
> CA Zephyr has a faster journey to Glenwood
> Springs, while the Rocky Mountaineer "takes it
> time." But it is all a vacation, so one night in
> Glenwood after a sauntering trip up from Denver
> and same to Moab! 

It's a rail journey including first class hotels so getting there quickly is not what a cruise passenger wants.  They want nice hotels and sightseeing opportunities that Glenwood Springs offers.

Can't wait to see what they're going to do with equipment for this.  They still have a lot of unrebuilt stuff sitting around in Kamloops.

i would think it is the same equipment, they have been working on the same cars, getting them passenger speed certified i guess?   are the cars still sitting there, check satellite's?

pdt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Glaad to see its expanding, just from a business
> POV.
>
> Not for me tho...  Im a railfan, not a cruise
> and/or luxury person.   A seat in the SSL and a
> hot dog from downstairs, and Im fine.
>
> a couple years on the railroad, 5 years as a
> meteorlogist, 25 years as an airline pilot, 10
> years as an actor/comedian, and 2 daughters...Ive
> had enough experiences.   My parents were part
> of the "experience" crowd.  I had nothing in
> common with them....LOL
>
>
>  
Say that then ride on the open air cars... I wish Amtrak had them
Lol
Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/19/25 01:41 by goduckies.

Meh. More obscenely priced seats provided by an anti-labor jerk company for
the Beautiful People for whom money is no object and tax cuts are all that matter.

And with grungy SD70's it's not that interesting from a railfan standpoint. 

expect to see an sd40 and a gp40

They might be establishing an American subsidy to avoid any tariff implications.

M-636 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> They might be establishing an American subsidy to
> avoid any tariff implications.

Would not be surprised in the least - the back cover says it is "part of the Armstrong Collection." So clearly. Again, they provide a great service, but I think their business practices (as previously posted by another TO member and me) absolutely suck! They will always put profits above safety and employees in my opinion. I'm not getting into it, but that's all I'm going to say. 

what would be subject to tariffs?   RMR has a lot of unused capacity here