The Denver Infill Blog (linked below) has been a good source of information regarding what's been going on in the neighborhood of Denver Union Station. It's updated roughly once a week or so and covers various subjects....... but mostly the redevelopment of the DUS area and other mass transit projects. There is plenty of interesting material for anyone who has the time to wade through it.
Scroll down to the second item, Union Station Update #37 to see photos from the interior of the 'temporary' Denver Amtrak Station. This entry indicates that while the building will be ready next month, it will be spring 2011 before a temporary track and platform are readied. Until then, Amtrak will continue to utilize Union Station on the one track still remaining at DUS.
It looks, David, like it will be a nice complex once the project is finished. Any hope that they will bring back the Denver Ski Train?
Richard
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
I'd say that the Ski Train is unlikely..... but the prospect of heavy rail passenger trains to/from the Denver airport is promising.
Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
In some photos of the construction site there was a loaded coal train. Isn't DUS now on a dead end rail line?
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
Yes..... DUS is now and will continue to be a dead end.
The loaded coal train is on what they call the 'Consolidated Main Line'. It's about two blocks west of Union Station running along the river and then, ultimately I-25 and is used by both BNSF and UP freights departing southward toward Colorado Springs.
For a passenger train to head south from Union Station, it would have to depart heading northeasterly for a few blocks before swinging a full 180 degrees to the west.
The plan for the revitalized Union Station area calls for an underground bus transfer area that will be about two blocks long. Union Station with it's platforms for Amtrak and commuter trains will be at one end of the bus transfer station. The new light rail station, adjacent to the freight main line, will be at the other.
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
thanks for the update, David. The temp station looks a lot better than many of Amtrak's permanent ones.