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Posted by
coneyisl
on Mon Jul 21 18:03:39 2014, in response to Re: Denver Railfanning Suggestions, posted by AlM on Mon Jul 21 12:33:23 2014.
edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d My top choice: If you like speed you should consider riding the H which terminates at Nine Mile Station. Pick it up in the theater District at 13th & Champa (or anywhere along the downtown loop) where it street runs until it hits the main line. At Broadway station the main line splits into the Southeast and Southwest lines. The H continues along the Southeast line. You're looking at about 43 minutes running time, each direction. Nine Mile is an interesting terminus because it ends at a huge flyover bridge which is the first piece of the extension up I-225 which will end at a new terminal where transfer can be made to the new line to DIA (which all opens in 2016). Another highlight along the way is the interchange from the Southeast line to Nine Mile which is a real cool labyrinth of bridges and tunnels woven into the I-225/I-25 interchange. On the way back I would consider a transfer along the main line to the C or E which terminates at Union Station. This spur passes Sports Authority field at Mile High, Elitch Gardens Amusement Park, The Pepsi Center, and a few blocks of street running. You can also pick up the 16th street mail shuttle at Union Station which is free and features Hybrid Electric/Compressed Natural Gas Busses. It makes stops at all streets across town. Lowlights- Lots of riding along I-25.
If you are looking for a more bucolic ride, take the W line which has a terminal a block west of the newly renovated Union Station (which is definitely worth some time). It terminates at the Jefferson County Government Center in Golden. The run time on Denver’s most recently opened line is 37 minutes, each direction. You'll have a slower ride but it runs through some older neighborhoods over much of the original right-of-way of the Denver Tram Company (which ceased streetcar operations in 1950). The line includes some interesting single-track operation with some cool interlockings. It also features a mile plus long flyover bridge with beautiful vistas of the mountains of Colorado’s Front Range!
My last choice would be the southwest line (C or D) which also has good speed. Part of its rail fanning allure is that it runs most of the route alongside the UP/SF with a run past the LRV car barn.
Have fun in Denver!
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