The Famous Denver & Rio Grande Western Ski Train

The Ski Train is a Colorado institution having been in operation since 1940, inaugurated by the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad that year to connect Denver with the ski resort town of Winter Park. Today, the train is owned and operated by the Ansco Investment Company, which has managed and maintained it since 1988 when it was purchased directly from the Rio Grande. The train operates year-round offering summer and winter scheduling with two daily trips in each direction (what’s more, the train is still adorned in Rio Grande’s classic orange, silver, and black livery!). Obviously, the winter schedule is the most popular but the train still receives its fair share of summertime traffic as well, which usually includes many vacationers to see the beautiful scenery around Denver.

Since its inception in 1940 the Ski Train has remained a very popular operation, much of which was due to the Rio Grande’s outstanding service, on board amenities during the train’s over two hour journey, and spectacular scenery through 29 tunnels (including the famed Moffet Tunnel). More information on the train can be found below courtesy of the Ski Train:

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Ski Train was youth-oriented – dominated by the Eskimo Ski Club, whose members ranged in age from 7 to 17. Today, many older Denver natives credit the Ski Train and the Eskimo Ski Club for introducing them to skiing.

The 1980’s brought hard times to the train. Ridership steadily declined, and the 1915 vintage railcars began to show their age. In 1988, Ansco Investment Company, a Denver-based company, acquired the train with its purchase by its parent company of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad.

Under the management of Ansco Investment Company, the “New Ski Train” was born. The old cars were sold to the Napa Valley Railroad Co. (now the Napa Valley Wine Train) and replaced by the train’s present cars. A new business plan aimed to rejuvenate the train in all respects – complete with upgraded cars, improved customer service, a computerized ticket system and the introduction of Club class and luxury private car service.

Today, the train continues to depart from Denver's famous Union Station, an institution itself. Purely on aesthetics Denver Union Station is one of the most appealing and interesting railroad stations in the country. While part of this is due to the structure’s beautiful Beaux-Arts, Neoclassical design the other part is the station’s impressive and distinctive arched neon-lit sign, Union Station, Travel by Train. Thankfully, Denver Union Station has had quite a happy and productive life (unlike some of its other counterparts across the country) and has been in continual use since it opened in 1914. Even better, the station’s future looks very bright as the City of Denver begins its major commuter rail project throughout the city (which the station will be a very important part of).

Today, while a few of the station’s most decorative pieces have been removed including chandeliers, candelabras, and a large welcome-arch it mostly remains intact and just as it appeared following its opening. The station also remains quite active with all floors filled with offices, business, or entertainment including the area immediately surrounding the building, which is quite prominent itself.

For more information on tourist trains like the Ski Train you might want to consider the book Empire State Railway Museum's Tourist Trains 2006 from the Empire State Railway Museum. Given excellent reviews this guidebook covers nearly all of the tourist railroads and museums operating in the country in fine detail. So, if you’re interested in locating a tourist train or railroad near you, or simply want to know more about a particular one, you will certainly not be disappointed in Empire State Railway Museum’s guidebook to tourist railroads and museums. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".