News Archive: 4th quarter 2003

Dec. 6 — Thanks to CRM VP Tom Janaky for working through several issues on the site, and helping to enhance our narrative of the history of the company and its projects. There are also numerous updates sprinkled throughout the site.

I do need to reiterate the statement that the term Ultra Dome is trademarked by Princess Tours. I didn't know this when I laid the foundation of the site, so you'll find references throughout that I'm trying to root out and correct. For instance, Rocky Mountaineer Railtours isn't actually an ultradome operator. Their cars are called Goldleaf domes. I've always known that, but had assigned ultradome as a generic term, which it really isn't.

Dec. 5 — Thanks to CRM president Tom Rader, we now have the final word on the origins of VIA 1720, 1721 and 1722, which were originally constructed for the Florida Fun Train, but were left incomplete by the FFT closure. They were later completed and sold to BC Rail.

Also, a big puzzle piece fell into place today with the discovery of this new press release from Rocky Mountaineer. As you can see, this not only explains why the DMU was on its way to Seattle, but answers the very short-lived question of what the proposed Whistler Mountaineer service will be run with. I've talked a bit with RMR's Graham Gilley, and am expecting more info soon.

Dec. 4 — Found an update on Rocky Mountaineer's website regarding a proposed service between Vancouver and Whistler, BC, and expanded service between Jasper, AB and Whistler via Prince George, BC. Full text of the release can be read here. No word yet on whether this proposed service will involve some sort of CRM product, but given RMR's past record with the company, it's likely. I've sent off a request for info to RMR, and will report back with a more relevant update shortly.

I've also added a Frequently Asked Questions page to clear up some myths, rumors and outright fantasies about the company and its past. We will continue to build on that as time dictates.

Dec. 3 — Guess what? Ultradome isn't Colorado Railcar's term. The reference actually belongs to Princess Rail Tours. But it works, right? But we had to update a few references to give credit where credit is due, and I figured I'd make this clarification as well. We also added another photo to the page of other cars that Colorado Railcar has worked on.

Also, Rocky Mountaineer 9521 was spotted in Wyoming headed east last weekend on the M-LAUKCK, a BNSF freight bound for Kansas City. Looks like it's headed to CSX in Birmingham, AL for furtherance to Florida. (Orlando?) I'll try to get more information on this for y'all.

Nov. 28 — Probably the single largest dump of updates to the site since we launched. First of all, we've updated the roster to reflect a separate section for the demonstrator cars, and added the hot tub car that was built for Phillip Morris. I've also added photo tours of the CRM shop, and a special tour of the LC-2 and SC-1. I can also share special under construction tours of Rocky Mountaineer 9523 and Holland America 1055. It will be fun to catch up with these cars next spring and re-shoot the tour photos with the finished product to do a "before and after" feature.

I've also updated the roster pages of VIA 1720, 1721 and 1722 to reflect the discovery that all three cars were built for Florida Fun Train, and added a whole bunch of new photos of the Princess cars courtesy of John Combs, Steve Peck, Robert Krol and Steve Wintermeier. Thanks!

Nov. 27 — DMU is on the road again! I had a report of the prototype demonstrator arriving in Oakland on Amtrak's California Zephyr in the early hours yesterday, and departing on the Coast Starlight that evening. The car is now in the Northwest, and should arrive in Seattle sometime this evening.

Nov. 24 — The updates keep on rolling! First of all, a look at several cars at the CRM shops, including prominent demo cars SC-1 and LC-2, as well as SC-2. We've also added tours of the SC-1 and LC-2. Also, you can take a look at a description of the manufacturing process here.

Nov. 19 — Back from Colorado, with plenty to share. First of all, courtesy of BC Rail, we can now offer several photos of the Whistler Northwind. I can also offer a sneak preview of several cars presently under construction, including Rocky Mountaineer 9523, and Holland America's 1054, 1055, 1056 and 1057. And there's still more to come!

Nov. 10 — Thanks to John Combs, we have more up to date histories of Alaska Railroad cars 551, 552, 553 and 554. I'm headed to Denver on Wednesday, and will be stopping by Colorado Railcar's plant on the 12th. You're sure to see more updates by the end of the week or beginning of next.

Oct. 21 — DMU gets rave reviews in service test! On Sept. 21 and 22, CRM's DMU demonstrator was put through its paces by Florida Tri Rail, including a rigorous simulation of an actual operating schedule between Miami International Airport and Mangonia with two bilevel commuter coaches in tow. The results were impressive, including a very respectable 128 gallon fuel consumption over the 144 mile route (as compared to approximately 325 gallons of fuel used by locomotive-hauled trains on the same route). Read the full press release on Colorado Railcar's website by following this link.

Oct. 6 — Made a small correction in the photos for HALX 1051 to show the right car. (the page originally showed HALX 1050. Oops..)