How many tracks besides the main transfer track were still intact when UP removed the transfer. How many tracks were left in the D&RGW yard when BN ceased operations?
It's a shame because the interchange and D&RGW trackage would have made the Leadville yard feel more like a rail yard. Now it is just the depot track, the one side track near the freight depot, the wye, the spur which used to be the interchange, and the three roundhouse tracks. Besides for Leadville building the bike trail which I believe came later, I don't get why Union Pacific would dismantle the yard and interchange when the rest of the Tennessee Pass trackage was left intact. Perhaps it had something to do with disconnecting the active LC&S tracks from the Tennessee Pass Line to insure some LC&S crews would not venture out on to the unused Tennessee Pass line.
To rebuild the the transfer wouldn't be to hard if needed, you would need about two miles of track, 1 switch, and need to remove the asphalt bike trail.
I still have a pike dream of a dinner train from the Eagle county resorts (the rail line goes right next to a major shuttle drop off and Gondola station in Avon) to Leadville. Also commuter service between Eagle and Minturn with a few trains continuing to Leadville (many ski resort employees live in Leadville). It would connect Leadville to the resorts, and could serve as a tool to get more tourists to and from the Leadville area. Also any local freight rail could be taken to Dotsero and transferred with the UP (any Climax traffic, material from EPA clean-up sites, etc). That is all a dream, but the tracks are still in place (they need heavy repairs though) and it is more realistic than starting from scratch. I feel like Leadville's historic charm would be more appealing to tourists and developers if it were better connected to the Vail Valley. Imagine hopping on a train in Leadville, and detraining at the foot of the Riverfront Gondola in Beaver Creek or just a short shuttle ride to Vail from Minturn. I am way off topic now but its just a thought.
Alex
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/2012 12:54PM by southparkline1.
