Looking back on the erstwhile Ski Train (operated by Ansco from 1988-2009), I realize that I have a few photos that haven’t really seen the light of day. We rode the train multiple times between 1993 and 2004, and I’ve documented much of that activity here, here, and here. The last link could be considered the forerunner of this series, as I basically posted every photo I took on that trip. (Funny how you get wary of using words like “shot” these days; even though it’s a photography term, social media often flags you for it!)
This installment of photos is from our Ski Train trip of December 28, 2000. For context: earlier in the year the Ansco management acquired three Amtrak F40PH locomotives on a lease-to-buy arrangement. These locos were painted to match the train cars, using huge letters to spell out Ski Train on the sides (but with a tiny flying Rio Grande herald on the flanks). The winter season of 2000-2001 was the debut of the new power. As it turned out, nagging mechanical problems with one of the F40’s resulted in substitute locomotives borrowed from Union Pacific. Such was the case on the 28th when we took our ride.
But considering that our substitute locomotive was one of the former Rio Grande GP60s, still in original colors, I was not unhappy in the least! After eight trips we were finally going to get some Rio Grande power on the front of the Rio Grande Ski Train. It seemed fitting.
So, on with the photos. These were taken with a decent Minolta film camera with a decent lens and marginal (ASA200) film. There’s only so much that Photoshop can do for you, but at least these are scanned from the negatives so they’re not bad; just a little grainy at times. And a rolling train is just not a very stable platform for telephoto images. So much for the excuses. Here we go.
The above series shows the head end as we got our first good look at the power. The first three shots are of the train rounding Little Ten curve, and the fourth shot shows the train moving geographically east as it climbs up to Big 10 curve.
Now we’re in the upper Tunnel District. This shot is of the train entering Tunnel 24. Note the intermediate block signal (red) in the center of the shot; that signal is no longer there.
This shot looks to be east of Tunnel 26, and the train is in deep shadow on the south wall of the canyon. The tunnel is around the curve to the left about a quarter mile.
This photo is about a minute after the previous one. The car I’m on is exiting tunnel 26; the east end of tunnel 27 is that black spot at center right. The locomotives are just about where the rockslide happened on September 30th of 1991 that derailed an eastbound freight and killed two crewmen.
Here’s our lead steed- GP60 No. 3154. The train arrived right on time, and I walked forward to get some shots of the power. This is one of my favorite images. I also have video of this that I need to get posted sometime…
More views of the power. In addition to the GP60, we see the two newly-acquired F40PH locomotives, showing off their new Ski Train image. Note the Rio Grande herald in the silver band– this was the idea of Sean Fay, a volunteer and now employee of the train who wanted to preserve continuity with the train’s history.
Lastly, here are two grab shots of the train as it waits on the siding in Fraser. The Ski Train, after unloading in the morning, would roll down to Tabernash and turn on the wye there. Then it would either wait in Tabernash or move back up to Fraser until time to board for the return trip to Denver. These photos were taken from inside a shuttle bus as we drove past, hence the less-than-stellar quality; nevertheless certain details are visible.
In the first shot, the last car on the train, Club Car IDAHO SPRINGS, poses with Byers Peak looking over its shoulder. The private car set was not used on the train this day; normally you’d see three more cars behind IDAHO SPRINGS.
In the second shot, we see on the left MOUNT BIERSTADT (car 2) and PIKES PEAK (car 3). You get a look at the new format of carnames as well as the sponsor placard (Denver Post). Also note that PIKES PEAK does not have a car-type legend applied to the upper corner; it was one of only two cars not to receive that lettering.
For the modelers, the appearance of the cars changed before the Summer 1999 season. Now that Rapido has come out with their factory models, you just have to choose your era and apply the correct nameboards and decals (and you can thank ME for that, since I made the suggestion to Rapido to give the option). When I was taking these photos, no such models existed; my scratch-built cars were the only semi-accurate cars in existence.
Action Road 