Sunday, June 24, 2007 - Back in 2005, one of the capital expenditures that the Denver Service Unit (for Union Pacific) included on its "wish list" was to lengthen Tolland. The siding is presently 5,660 feet long, which is just barely long enough to support some coal trains and not long enough for many more. Plus, there is a grade crossing near the west end that UP leaves open, forcing westbounds to often hang out the east end.
After two years of waiting, funds for the project have apparently been sent as the project is now underway. Ground-breaking started around June 4th and grading is now underway. It is unclear exactly how long the project will last, and what the new length of the siding will be. However, based on the grading work being done 8,000+ feet wouldn't surprise me.
Here is a link to the Tolland Extension Project on the Projects page of ColoradoRailfan. Feel fre to visit this page for updates on the progress.
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