That conductor is the #1 reason I would ride the ski train. He clearly takes such pride in his work and genuinely cares about providing a great experience for passengers. I loved that he played guitar and sang for them!❤ Amtrak is lucky to have him. I hope he feels appreciated. This was a well done program, I learned a lot. 😊
I remember taking the train as a kid with my siblings sometime in the 1970's. Our dad would drop us off at union station in the morning and pick us up later that afternoon. We didn't do it often, but I have fond memories of those few trips.
Love this so much. I've ridden the Zephyr from Denver, stayed a night in Glenwood Springs, and on to Salt Lake City the next day and that route is a world class gem not to be missed.
Man, this was such an awesome history & update about this train. I subscribe to PBS for this very reason. Sad I'll miss the Conductor - Mr. Brad Swartzwelter as he's retired now. One can sense his love for his work and this train. Would love it if he did special trips on occasion. Thanks for the memories and let's keep ridding this Ski Train to Winter Park, CO.
In the late 1970s I was a student at CSU and a ski instructor at Winter Park. When college kids could instruct. I remember when Mary Jane first opened. We skiied it the year prior before the lifts were fully installed. Took the train many times. At that time it was still classic RioGrande. We got a special fare as instructors.
The end of the video brings back childhood memories. Dad worked for MoPac railroad in St. Louis. He got free passes to take us on the train to Jeff City in dome car. We’d go up in the dome with him, he’d play his harmonica and get all the pass singing - Dad was a character to say the least. May he rip. 😊
I worked at Winter Park Resort for twelve seasons. One season I got to work on the Anschutz Ski Train for WP Ski School. It was a lot of fun. Rossini Russell was great to work with in Ski School. His locker was right next to mine. I miss the comradeship there but I couldn’t afford to work there anymore.
Denver Union Station past Arvada over Highway 72 fallowing South Boulder creek though the Moffat tunnel Winter Park is at the tunnels Western exit. It's a great ride!
It’s such a shame that this is the only train that heads to the mountains from the city. It makes no sense. 70 highway is 10x more packed every year and this is the only option people have. A train that runs to winter park ONCE A DAY 3 DAYS A WEEK if we are lucky. And they’re acting like they’re doing us a favor?! I guess our European counterparts have taught us nothing? This dude making it sound like “sharp skis” are a challenge? WE CAN TACKLE THESE CHALLENGES.
Agreed completely. I live in the burbs, and can’t see myself lugging skis, poles, boots, helmet, googles - driving downtown to Union Station, finding an expensive place to park only to pay $39 each way. Snostang also leaves from Union Station and would be a nice alternative if it left from one of the park and ride RTD lots.
We live in America pal trains are not really a thing here. Nevertheless less there are proposals to add trains along the front range and to steamboat springs.
That conductor is the #1 reason I would ride the ski train. He clearly takes such pride in his work and genuinely cares about providing a great experience for passengers. I loved that he played guitar and sang for them!❤ Amtrak is lucky to have him. I hope he feels appreciated. This was a well done program, I learned a lot. 😊
Brad is such an amazing person and conductor!! He’s a giant ball of light. He will be missed.
I remember taking the train as a kid with my siblings sometime in the 1970's. Our dad would drop us off at union station in the morning and pick us up later that afternoon. We didn't do it often, but I have fond memories of those few trips.
Love this so much. I've ridden the Zephyr from Denver, stayed a night in Glenwood Springs, and on to Salt Lake City the next day and that route is a world class gem not to be missed.
sounds like a great trip!
Man, this was such an awesome history & update about this train. I subscribe to PBS for this very reason. Sad I'll miss the Conductor - Mr. Brad Swartzwelter as he's retired now. One can sense his love for his work and this train. Would love it if he did special trips on occasion. Thanks for the memories and let's keep ridding this Ski Train to Winter Park, CO.
The conductor is great!❤
Great story. On our bucket list for sure.
In the late 1970s I was a student at CSU and a ski instructor at Winter Park. When college kids could instruct. I remember when Mary Jane first opened. We skiied it the year prior before the lifts were fully installed. Took the train many times. At that time it was still classic RioGrande. We got a special fare as instructors.
Okay just putting your gear on in a warm train compared to a freezing parking lot makes this sound glorious!
The end of the video brings back childhood memories. Dad worked for MoPac railroad in St. Louis. He got free passes to take us on the train to Jeff City in dome car.
We’d go up in the dome with him, he’d play his harmonica and get all the pass singing - Dad was a character to say the least. May he rip. 😊
what a great memory! thanks for sharing
I worked at Winter Park Resort for twelve seasons. One season I got to work on the Anschutz Ski Train for WP Ski School. It was a lot of fun. Rossini Russell was great to work with in Ski School. His locker was right next to mine. I miss the comradeship there but I couldn’t afford to work there anymore.
This was a great documentary! I'm planning a trip to Colorado soon and I plan on taking this train from Denver to Winter Park.
This is amazing, I am from Michigan and look forward to booking tickets this winter for my family.
Great story. I love your video ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Hope Colorado finds a way to award/memorialize Brad Swartzwelter - he seems like an amazing person.
Crushed that I missed Tuesday world premiere at Colorado Railroad Museum😕
very interesting story, hope to ride it some day!
Very will put together video
Nicely produced story. Glad they were able to get it re-started years ago Today’s anti-anything new at Amtrak would never approve it now.
The US used to have one of the most extensive and advanced rail systems in the world. Imagine where we’d be if we never gave that up?
7:45 Ski Train origin
Anyone can give me details on this train route?
Denver Union Station past Arvada over Highway 72 fallowing South Boulder creek though the Moffat tunnel Winter Park is at the tunnels Western exit. It's a great ride!
Half the commenters are talking about the Ski Train. The video is about a 13 mile operation in Leadville.
If [Thanks] 🙏 button was enabled, I'd kick in a few bucks
thanks for the support! You can always donate here: donate.rmpbs.org/rmpbs/donate-evolv2
I thought i saw Brad at a Knight's Templar meeting...
It’s such a shame that this is the only train that heads to the mountains from the city. It makes no sense. 70 highway is 10x more packed every year and this is the only option people have. A train that runs to winter park ONCE A DAY 3 DAYS A WEEK if we are lucky. And they’re acting like they’re doing us a favor?! I guess our European counterparts have taught us nothing? This dude making it sound like “sharp skis” are a challenge? WE CAN TACKLE THESE CHALLENGES.
Agreed completely. I live in the burbs, and can’t see myself lugging skis, poles, boots, helmet, googles - driving downtown to Union Station, finding an expensive place to park only to pay $39 each way. Snostang also leaves from Union Station and would be a nice alternative if it left from one of the park and ride RTD lots.
We live in America pal trains are not really a thing here. Nevertheless less there are proposals to add trains along the front range and to steamboat springs.
@@MRey-t9u I know Pal I’m an i70 veteran at this point I earned my Purple Heart on that highway
@@iMiike69 that highway sucks it should be demolished
@@iMiike69
Reopening Bóreas Pass would be $$$$$$$$$$$
the ski train was sold to Algoma Central Railway which operates the Agawa Canyon Tour Train from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario today
Too bad it costs an arm and a leg to ride up
One-way fares start at $19. Seems reasonable to me.
Pathetic extend the G and B trains to the ski areas!!!!