A bit ago I made a comment that I then redacted since my information was obtained through the "back door." But today Rio Grande Pacific released a public statement to confirm what I said so I will share it here.
The so-called connection to the Uinta Basin Railway and Tennessee Pass does not exist, it is nothing more than wild foamer speculation. Tennesse Pass is not being leased to move UBRY oil trains and UBRY oil trains will not be routed that direction.
Quote
Rio Grande Pacific
Please see the following statements from Colorado Midland & Pacific Railway company to follow up on questions and reports made about the Tennessee Pass Rail Line.
First, Colorado Midland & Pacific (CMP) is a subsidiary of Rio Grande Pacific Corporation, which owns or operates freight and passenger railroads in multiple states including the DCTA Commuter Rail “A” Train between Denton and Carrollton, Texas. It has been falsely reported that we do not operate passenger service. We confirm we do operate commuter rail.
We are concerned about a false rumor that has been propagated about the Tennessee Pass Rail Line.
To be clear, Colorado Midland & Pacific has no plan, intention, or means to operate oil trains across the Tennessee Pass line. CMP has an agreement for a portion of the Tennessee Pass only -- that is from Sage to Parkdale. CMP seeks to explore and develop commuter/passenger rail and local freight opportunities within that ~160-mile corridor, and we wish to do so in coordination and consultation with communities and planning agencies in the area. Any speculation scenarios or misinformation about oil or other commodities moving on the Tennessee Pass is simply rumor, conjecture and assumption. CMP has no plan whatsoever to operate oil trains on Tennessee Pass.
CMP's original announcement of December 31, 2020 is attached for context. Please contact me if you have questions or need more information.
Sara Thompson Cassidy
CMP Community Liaison for Tennessee Pass