Colorado DOT seeks fleet info for potential mountain rail line

The Colorado Department of Transportation has issued a request for information (RFI) to train-equipment manufacturers and vendors on their fleet options for rolling stock that could be used on a Denver-to-Craig passenger-rail line.

The RFI seeks options for rail cars and locomotives that could be available for mountain rail service. Companies have 45 days to respond, CDOT officials announced Dec. 1 in a press release.

"This is an important first step to understanding what technology is on the market that could meet the needs of mountain conditions," said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. "We’re interested in factors like cost, safety technology, reliability and the use of energy-efficiency options and clean power."

The vision for mountain rail became a possibility in recent months because of developments that include dramatically decreased coal-train traffic on Union Pacific Railroad lines, creating a new transit opportunity for Colorado and an opportunity for UP to host more passenger rail on its mountain lines, CDOT officials said.

UP lines already serve the California Zephyr and Winter Park ski trains, but there is capacity for more passenger service, including from Denver to Steamboat Springs, Hayden and Craig.

The other major precipitating event was Congress making $66 billion for passenger rail available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Because the Denver-to-Craig service would require only minimal track and safety improvements, CDOT officials hope the mountain rail project would be an attractive candidate for federal funding, department officials said.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Transportation Commission has approved $5 million in state funding for CDOT to study the mountain rail route and examine enhancing bus service statewide. The study will help CDOT determine how much ridership the line would have, how frequently trains should run, where stations should be located and what operating and construction costs might look like.

The 191-mile Denver-to-Craig route has major advantages in that the rail line is already built and essentially would just need some safety and capacity improvements. This means major cost savings compared to a project where an entirely new rail line would be needed, CDOT officials said.

CDOT has asked train manufacturers to show whether they have locomotives and train cars that can handle the steep grades, high altitude and sometimes low temperatures of the Denver-to-Craig route. Train cars should carry 200 passengers and have "comfortable and upscale furnishings, including tables at facing seats and not more than 2x2 seat configuration."

Vendors also should provide options for a lounge or cafe car and for Wi-Fi service.