Happening Now

Inspiring Landscapes - Salt Lake City to Denver

August 11, 2013

Written By Malcolm Kenton

Yesterday, half of the Millennial Trains Project participants got off the eastbound Amtrak California Zephyr at Salt Lake City at 3:00 AM and had a full day of exploring new frontiers there before flying to Denver in the evening (there was no way for our private cars to be parked overnight in Salt Lake). But I and the other half stayed on board the train for the world-renowned gorgeous ride through the heart of the Rockies on the former Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (now part of Union Pacific).

We had some good, stimulating conversations on board the train, but since a big part of a train journey is experiencing the landscape that we travel through in a way that only trains can present it to us, I felt it would be appropriate to simply present some of my photos. Enjoy!

- Malcolm Kenton

Maggie, one of my fellow travelers, takes in the view in eastern Utah from the Silver Lariat dome car.

Hugging the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs, CO

Winding through a red-rock canyon of the Colorado River in north-central Colorado.

View of the track stretching out behind us in eastern Utah.

Entering the 6.2-mile-long Moffat Tunnel at Winter Park, CO

Looking out onto greater Denver and the Plains beyond as we descend from the Front Range.

Comments

"It is an honor to be recognized by the Rail Passengers Association for my efforts to strengthen and expand America’s passenger rail. Golden spikes were once used by railroads to mark the completion of important rail projects, so I am truly grateful to receive the Golden Spike Award as a way to mark the end of a career that I’ve spent fighting to invest in our country’s rail system. As Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, it has been my priority to bolster funding for Amtrak, increase and expand routes, look to the future by supporting high-speed projects, and improve safety, culminating in $66 billion in new funding in the Bipartisan infrastructure Law."

Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
March 30, 2022, on receiving the Association's Golden Spike Award for his years of dedication and commitment to passenger rail.