By Justin Franz
The billionaire developer and landowner who tried to buy the former Denver & Rio Grande Western over Tennessee Pass from Union Pacific has apparently given up, according to a report from Colorado Newsline.
Stefan Soloviev’s Colorado Pacific Railroad kicked off a battle with short line operator Rio Grande Pacific — which is currently trying to build a brand new railroad in Utah’s Uinta Basin to tap into oil reserves there — back in 2021 when the latter was attempting to lease the line from UP.
Rio Grande Pacific said it wanted to lease the line for both freight and passenger service, but that plan was later rejected after local communities raised concerns about the possibility of hazardous materials being moved over the route. The STB rejected the lease agreement on “procedural” grounds, arguing that such a “controversial” proposal to revive the long-dormant rail line in the mountains of Colorado required a more complete analysis instead of the more streamlined process RGP had hoped to employ.
Colorado Pacific, which owns the former Missouri Pacific Towner Line in eastern Colorado, had been among the objectors to the plan to lease the line and instead offered UP millions to buy it. UP did not take the deal.
In May, Colorado Pacific’s general counsel told Colorado Newsline that the company had “no further interest in purchasing the Tennessee Pass Line.” Colorado Pacific has, however, purchased the San Luis & Rio Grande, which was sold off in the liquidation of Iowa Pacific.
The Tennesee Pass route is among the most scenic main lines in Colorado and has been dormant since 1997, not long after Union Pacific purchased the Southern Pacific. A short section of the east end of the railroad, through the scenic Royal Gorge, is operated by a short line, Rock & Rail, and a tourist carrier, Royal Gorge Route Railroad. The brief burst of activity surrounding the line had many enthusiasts hopeful that trains would again run the entire route. But for now it appears the legendary line will remain quiet.
