CHICAGO — “Amtrak was willing to help bring the ski train back after Iowa Pacific Holdings (IPH) could not arrange with Union Pacific (UP) to provide train crews to operate a ski train over UP owned tracks, as UP had in the past. We worked for three months on a plan to run these trains for IPH while not putting our scheduled intercity passenger trains – and U.S. taxpayers – at risk.

“Two days before Amtrak planned to operate a test train for IPH and five days before the start of its season, IPH could not provide to Amtrak a federally certified safe train to operate and adequate insurance. IPH has not been able to supply locomotives with adequate power and brakes to even test their rented railcars back and forth into the mountains. Nevertheless, since October IPH sold tickets for a schedule they knew could not be met even in the best circumstances.

“IPH had many things to put in place before the ski train could become a reality and their failure to execute their own plans is why this train never left the station.”

Iowa Pacific Holdings has not been able to reach an operational agreement with Amtrak, which was to provide crews to operate the train.

Go to The Denver Channel at 7News to see the entire story.

Among other things, Amtrak says the locomotives and passenger cars Iowa Pacific wants to use failed a federal safety inspection, that union Pacific has yet to consent to allow the service on its tracks and that federal staffing rules require a second crew that Amtrak does not have to operate the train.

You can read Amtrak’s reasons for opposing the request here.

STATEMENT FROM AMTRAK
ON IMPASSE TO REACH FINAL OPERATING CONTRACT
FOR SKI TRAIN TO WINTER PARK, COLORADO

CHICAGO — “Iowa Pacific Holdings, LLC (IPH) does not have an agreement with Amtrak to begin operation of the ski train service between Denver and Winter Park, Colo., on December 27, 2009.

“Amtrak was first asked in August to consider operating the train for IPH. Although since that time Amtrak has engaged in negotiations with IPH to supply the locomotive engineers and conductors to operate the train equipment provided by IPH over tracks owned by Union Pacific Railroad, no final contract has been reached due to unresolved issues related to staffing requirements, passenger railcar equipment, and liability.

“Additionally, Amtrak has not received notice that IPH has achieved compliance with all applicable federal rail safety regulations.

“It is unfortunate that IPH marketed and sold tickets for the ski train without first making certain it was able to provide the service.”