Re: Tennessee Pass
Author: UP Signal Guy
Date: 04-03-2011 - 10:09
The Tennessee Pass line is mostly intact but isn't maintained by the UP. They did some minor work a few years back between Dotsero and Minturn. The rest of the line between Minturn and Parkdale (west end of Royal Gorge and Rock & Rail ops) is in a relatively sad state. As WAF stated it is buried in snow right now. The track has numerous broken rails and broken joints due to over a decade of unchecked expansion and contaction in the hot summers and figid winters. There are some minor washouts due to uncontrolled drainage and small rocks litter the right-of-way at many rock cut locations due to small rockslides. The signal system is a total loss and is really the worst part. Almost every signal and signal box has been vandalized with lens broken or missing, wiring removed, etc. I believe if UP decided today to re-open the pass, a few months of trackwork and cleanup would have the line open, but it would take two or three summer seasons of trackwork to get it back into typical UP tip-top shape. All new signalling would be required and that could awhile to complete also.