caisson: [kā-sän] noun. A watertight chamber used in construction work under water or as a foundation.
The pieces of equipment in the photo above are building caissons for the train bridges that will be part of the roof of the bus terminal. (I had to look up the definition of a caisson.) There will be eight sets of tracks (Amtrak, Ski Train, commuter rail) requiring four bridges. As we know, trains can be pretty heavy so the bridges will require deep, sturdy foundations. Therefore, the caissons.
It’s nice to see the project moving forward again. What are the chances of a Ski Train operation returning once Union Station reopens?
Were plans made to potentially incorporate high speed rail into the transportation hub should it ever come to Denver? If so, would it be part of these 8 tracks?
My bet is slim to none, as thats the reason the original ski train called it quits, even though there is (last I looked) one reserve platform for future passenger trains, such as a north/south intercity.
Did you say “ski train”? Is this the same train that used to go to Winter Park?
Here’s what I know about trains, and it’s not a lot. Eight sets of tracks will be built behind Union Station. One is for Amtrak, one for a ski train, four for commuter rail, and two are reserved for future use. I assume that “future use” could be high speed rail or more commuter rail or whatever. I do not know of any specific plans.
I searched the Denver Post for recent articles about a new ski train. I found this one dated July 8, 2011. http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_18436047?IADID
Good find on that article. Sadly, the outcome of that litigation makes the return of a Ski Train pretty much a longshot.
The equipment that was used on the last ski train has been sold and is now used by the Algoma Central Railroad in Canada. The odds for a new ski train are pretty slim minus any enthusiasm for such by the Union Pacific and/or Amtrak.