Hello All, Below is a press release that will go out tomorrow morning covering our most recent purchase. These beauties are mint! For more information, please visit us at:
www.royalgorgeroute.com. I would also like to thank those of you who stopped by to ride with us this summer through the Royal Gorge. We had another banner year with passenger numbers up 18% and we're growing strong. We appreciate your patronage for sure. Also, we will be helping out the Colorado Railroad Museum in 2006 again with special steam-ups operating our historic equipment at their facility. Please support them as well. Remember, the "Day out with Thomas" event begins this weekend, but many of the days are already sold out. Please call: 303-279-4591 for more information.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2005
Contact: Mark Greksa, 303-569-1022
“Big Domes” to Return to Royal Gorge Tracks
Railroad Purchases Three Observation Cars for Colorado Route
Canon City, CO – The Royal Gorge Route Railroad announced today that it has purchased three historic full-length observation dome cars from Holland America Line, Inc. for use on its scenic train line which traverses the Royal Gorge.
Late last week, officials from the Royal Gorge Route Railroad flew to Anchorage, Alaska and purchased three 1950s dome cars.
The cars are in mint condition and will be added to the current Royal Gorge Route train, which already includes a total of 10 passenger, dining and observation cars. The three new cars will lengthen the train to over a quarter mile.
“This is an exciting time for our railroad as cars like these are difficult to come by. Train passengers will have the opportunity to experience the Royal Gorge with unobstructed views in beautifully appointed, glass-topped cars designed for maximum comfort,” said Mark Greksa, co-owner and CEO of the Royal Gorge Railroad. “The elevated seating and all that glass truly captures the breathtaking scenery and wildlife of the Gorge.”
The new dome cars will travel from Anchorage to Seattle by ship and will continue the rest of their journey by rail. The cars are expected to arrive in Canon City by mid October and will be available for passengers on the train in early November.
Passengers first enjoyed dome car service through the Royal Gorge in 1947 but all passenger service ended in 1967, returning after a 32-year absence in May of 1999 as the Royal Gorge Route Railroad.
In the 1950s, dome cars were introduced to provide passengers incomparable views never before experienced by train. At the time, two companies were building these famous dome cars: Pullman Standard and Budd. The cars purchased by the Royal Gorge Route Railroad are two Pullman Domes and one Budd Dome. The cars were previously used by Holland America on the Alaskan Railroad.
The new dome cars will be offered to passengers who wish to purchase or upgrade to “Observation Dome Class” and will also be used on the popular three-course gourmet lunch and four-course dinner and murder mystery trains. Both lunch and dinner capacity will increase from 172 to 290 per seating. The train can currently carry 550 passengers per trip. These new cars will increase that to 670.
For more information on the historic Royal Gorge Route Railroad, including departure times, high resolution photos, and a history of the area, visit the website at
www.royalgorgeroute.com. For information and reservations, call: 1.888.RAILS.4U or 303.569.1000.
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