Is Amtrak still running (Denver, Grand Junction: 2014, closing, buses)

[chilaili]

Hi,
I've been trying to get answers from Amtrak directly and they are completely useless. I'm hoping somebody can tell me if the trains from Denver into the mountains (Grand Junction etc) are still running in both directions this week? There was an item on this morning's news about Union Pacific lines closing so I need to make sure about Amtrak as we have tickets for Saturday.


Thanks!

[flyonpa]

Denverpost said in yesterday paper that AmTrak was busing People to Bridge the gap.

Amtrak, freight trains in flood zones likely out through month - The Denver Post

[chilaili]

Oh crap!

Actually managed to talk with someone at Amtrak who said that the bus service is now cancelled and the trains are detouring around Grand Junction so no trains are stopping there.

[robertgoodman]

From what I am hearing (train nerd internet conjecture so take it with a grain of salt) the Union Pacific was able to re-open up it's route to Wyoming from Denver today so Amtrak is able to connect to the rail that roughly parallels I-80 (referred to as the Overland route) in order to get to SLC. Amtrak has used that route to SLC before, and it is faster to SLC but less scenic and misses every point currently served by Amtrak in between Denver and SLC. They are likely re-routing passengers bound for destinations in between SLC and Denver onto buses in SLC or Denver.

The Union Pacific is trying to get the rail between Moffat and Denver open ASAP since it's a vital coal route from the mines near Craig to places such as Texas (The detour they have to take now adds about 72 hours so imagine what it is costing the RR). However, If you are going from Denver to Grand Junction in the next few weeks and cannot drive just book through greyhound it will be less confusing that way, and you are going to end up on a coach bus anyway. OP I am sure Amtrak will provide you with some options, but they will not involve a train because from what I am hearing it's 2 weeks minimum to get those tracks repaired.

[chilaili]

Originally Posted by robertgoodman

From what I am hearing (train nerd internet conjecture so take it with a grain of salt) the Union Pacific was able to re-open up it's route to Wyoming from Denver today so Amtrak is able to connect to the rail that roughly parallels I-80 (referred to as the Overland route) in order to get to SLC. Amtrak has used that route to SLC before, and it is faster to SLC but less scenic and misses every point currently served by Amtrak in between Denver and SLC. They are likely re-routing passengers bound for destinations in between SLC and Denver onto buses in SLC or Denver.

The Union Pacific is trying to get the rail between Moffat and Denver open ASAP since it's a vital coal route from the mines near Craig to places such as Texas (The detour they have to take now adds about 72 hours so imagine what it is costing the RR). However, If you are going from Denver to Grand Junction in the next few weeks and cannot drive just book through greyhound it will be less confusing that way, and you are going to end up on a coach bus anyway. OP I am sure Amtrak will provide you with some options, but they will not involve a train because from what I am hearing it's 2 weeks minimum to get those tracks repaired.

Well, what the nice lady at Amtrak told me was that the train was bypassing Grand Junction entirely and possibly all stops between Denver and SLC and that the bus service was cancelled for the foreseeable future. The track itself is apparently closed for repairs for at least a month. On the upside, I got a full refund from them. Hopefully we can try again in 2014.

[robertgoodman]

Originally Posted by chilaili

Well, what the nice lady at Amtrak told me was that the train was bypassing Grand Junction entirely and possibly all stops between Denver and SLC and that the bus service was cancelled for the foreseeable future. The track itself is apparently closed for repairs for at least a month. On the upside, I got a full refund from them. Hopefully we can try again in 2014.

Glad you got your money back, and yes the train is definitely going to be bypassing Grand Junction since they are halting the bus bridge today in favor of the Wyoming route.

From what they are telling the AP Amtrak detours due to flooding in Colorado : News : FOX21News.com they still will have chartered buses to everywhere but Fraser and Granby until the line comes back up. Honestly either what the lady told you, or what they are telling the press could be true, Amtrak has a reputation for giving misinformation.