As some low hanging clouds grip the top of the snow-spotted Flat Irons, we say goodbye to the Zephyr and the private cars California and Kansas. They are no strangers to the Tunnel District and hope that they don't stay away for too long. This seems like a fitting picture to bring a close to 2015!
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Starting from when I was downtown early on this morning and learned that the California and Kansas would be departing on the back end of the Zephyr, I had this exact shot in mind! The California and the Kansas rolling through Plain in the snow on the back of Amtrak. This could almost be a shot from 1985 when Rio Grande used to, on occasion, run its business cars on Amtrak between Denver and Salt Lake!
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The westbound California Zephyr heads toward the east entrance to Barbara's Gulch at track speed. A pair of old friends ride along behind the Zephyr. You may recognize the California and Kansas from the days of the Ski Train! Now, their home is in California and that is where they are returning to.
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Here are two cars that are by no means strangers to the Moffat! The California and Kansas, now based out of Los Angeles, came to Denver over Christmas and are now headed back to their new home. I think I could handle enjoying New Year's riding on these cars, behind the Zephyr.
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It may say American Railway Explorer on the side, but the California is no stranger to Denver! Prior to the end of the Ski Train in 2009, this car had Rio Grande written along the top of it. Good to see it back at Union Station, if only for a short time.
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Private varnish hanging out on two different tracks at Union Station to close out 2015! The California and Kansas are on Track 5 to the left and the Patron Tequila is on Track 4 to the right. The latter was dropped off by the California Zephyr when arriving this morning and the former will be picked up and head west with the Zephyr to California.
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Two of Phil Anschutz's three private cars (the California and Kansas, both of DRGW and Ski Train heritage) sit on Track 5, while the Patron Tequilla (of Gulf, Mobile, and Ohio heritage) sits on Track 4. A lot of mighty fine looking varnish here in Denver on New Year's Eve, 2015!
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Here is a scene that, in most ways has changed dramatically in the last five years. The shot is taken from 17th Street looking (obviously) toward Union Station. Most of the buildings on this side of the station didn't exist just five years ago. As an added bonus, the former Ski Train veteran "California" sits on Track 5 at the station.
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A last shot of the California and Kansas sitting on Track 5 under the new artsy Union Station canopy. It was great seeing these classic cars in town once again. Soon, they will likely be behind Amtrak on their journey back to California.
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I am extremely lucky in that, even at the ages of 10 and 13, my daughters still enjoy coming along with dad to take train pictures. Jaina, my 10 year old, came with me on this particular day and poses with the California. My Canon Digital Rebel XT is slung over her shoulder as she works on her own photographic skills.
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The construction around Union Station that has taken place over the last 15 years (and, in particular, over the last 5 years) is really incredible. New lofts and office buildings have popped up on all sides of the old station. One such (new) building towers over the California and Kansas, in town on Track 5.
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Had the Ski Train not stopped in 2009, this scene might be a regular occurrence here in 2015! The California and Kansas sit on Track 5 at Union Station, in town during Christmas. The Utah apparently stayed behind out in Los Angeles.
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It was great to see the California in Denver on Track 5 at Union Station over Christmas. Looks as though Phil Anschutz may have been in town for the holiday. I sure miss the days of the domed classic being on the Ski Train...
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A couple of old friends were in town over Christmas. When Phil Anschutz sold the Ski Train equipment in 2009, he kept the California, Utah, and Kansas. He relocated them to California (Los Angeles) and started a new railcar charter company called American Railway Explorer. I'm guessing that Phil was actually in Denver for Christmas and used the California and Kansas to get here!
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