Western Rail Coalition > Tennessee Pass
The Tennessee Pass line runs from Pueblo (elevation 4,662’), west up the Arkansas River Valley through the Royal Gorge, past Leadville, and over Tennessee Pass (elev. 10,227’), and down along the Eagle River to Minturn and to the confluence with the Colorado River at Dotsero (elev. 6,150′), a distance of 222 miles.
After Union Pacific (UP) took over Southern Pacific in 1996, the line was quickly deemed surplus to requirements due to its steep grades (up to 3%) and ample capacity on the Moffat Tunnel, Transcontinental and Sunset routes which are also UP owned. Despite the last freight trains running in August 1997, the line is pretty much intact however minimal maintenance has been carried out by UP in the intervening years. This is despite the increases in the price of energy creating demand for coal and oil train traffic.
Tennessee Pass Map
Initial Phase: Eagle Valley Passenger Rail
An initial phase involves establishing passenger rail service along the Eagle Valley between Glenwood Springs and Leadville.
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