Is this Denver or Philadelphia!? Not used to seeing so much catenary (that the overhead power lines for the commuter trains) here in Denver. While I don't personally find the new commuter cars that will be used in Denver particularly pleasing aesthetically, it is cool to see CTC back in operation at Union Station!
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Starting in 2016, you are going to be seeing these commuter cars a lot more around Denver! These commuter cars have a top speed of 79 MPH and will be used on the RTD A Line, B Line, and G Line. On a chilly New Year's Eve, RTD is working on some test runs between Union Station and Denver International Airport (the A Line). That line is set to open on April 22, 2016.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Work is progressing on the new commuter rail tracks at Union Station! Signalling for the tracks has been installed and looks to be active and ready to go! Seen here are Tracks 6, 7, and 8. They will head northwest to Arvada and (eventually) to Boulder and Longmont.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Looking south from the 88th Avenue grade crossing, you can see that the UP tracks on the Dent Branch have been completed removed. The ties are gone and some regrading has started. Note that a Union Pacific "1/2 mile marker" still stands off to the left of the right of way.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Even though it has only been a short time since Union Pacific sold the Dent Branch to RTD, the signage along the right of way has already been replaced to reflect the new ownership! The sign shows that RTD is now the owner of the line.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The old grade crossing here at 88th Avenue will most likely be replaced by a new one that will include crossing arms when commuter rail comes through here over the next three years. As of the date of this photo, RTD's Thornton commuter line is set to open in 2018.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The remnants of Union Pacific's "Dent Branch" are visible along the right of way in Thornton just north of 88th Avenue along Welby Road. UP sold the line to RTD so commuter rail could be built in to Thornton from Denver. Along this stretch of the branch, most of the former UP infrastructure (including rails and ties) have been collected.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Some nice apartments are found along the side of what used to be the Union Pacific "Dent Branch" in Thornton. Prior to its sale, I believe Union Pacific ran a single weekly local on the line. And that local didn't run too far north, either. In about three years, residents here will have an RTD commuter line available to them. The line will run from north Thornton to Union Station in Denver.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Ties but no rails. With the sale to RTD complete, a cleanup crew is working on tearing up the old Union Pacific tracks along the "Dent Branch" right of way. Other than at grade crossing, the rails are all gone. Must of the work of picking up the old ties has been completed too, although there are still many left to be picked up.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Just in case the sudden stopping of the tracks wasn't enough of a warning, these tracks are no longer active! Until recently, these tracks were owned by Union Pacific. The right of way has since been sold to RTD, which will be laying commuter rail tracks here over the course of the next three years.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The Union Pacific "Dent Branch" ran north out of Denver through Thornton. It eventually turned west and ran in to Boulder, CO from the east. For years, the Valmont Power Plant received coal from the Dent Branch. A few months ago, UP completed the sale of the Dent Branch to RTD. In 2018, this will be a commuter rail line running to Union Station.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
We are just about a year away from the scheduled opening of roughly 50 miles of Light Rail and Commuter Rail in Denver. Shown here is a new maintenance facility for the commuter trains. This is the former location of a concrete tie factory that moved to Pueblo. The two track in the foreground (to the right of the fence) represents the new G-Line to Arvada and Wheat Ridge.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Work is steadily progressing on the commuter rail tracks at Union Station. Dwarfs have appeared at the ends of the station tracks. These are the dwarfs on Tracks 6 through 8. They will dictate the departure of Gold Line commuter trains.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
Here is a view that has changed dramatically in the last five years! This shot is taken standing on the 17th street pavilion looking back toward Union Station. The structure at the bottom of the image are skylights for the underground tunnel connecting Union Station with the Light Rail Station behind me. The building to the right is also very new. Soon, there will be a similar building on the left.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
The last few times that I visited the new Train Hall at Union Station, the upper walkway (running over the tracks) was still blocked off and unavailable. Finally, on this temperate January evening, it was open and I was able to get an elevated view of the station as well as Tracks 4 and 5 in the middle of Train Hall. Although it is fairly quiet here right now, that will no doubt change once commuter rail finally launches here in 2016.
Email Questions or Comments to the Webmaster
or add a comment to the picture.
