If you ever wondered what happened to some of Amtrak’s ExpressTrak reefer cars, the answer can be found in Colorado’s San Luis Valley. In this view from September 1, 2013, a group of the cars sit in sidings at Sugar Junction just east of Monte Vista for use on San Luis Central, a 13-mile short line. President of SLC since 1969, Ed Burkhardt, who is also president and CEO of Rail World, Inc., acquired half of the ExpressTrak fleet, hence the RWIX reporting marks. The other half of the reefers were acquired by Ed Ellis’ Iowa Pacific Holdings and are lettered IPFX for Iowa Pacific Fruit Express. Iowa Pacific operates San Luis & Rio Grande and is SLC’s interchange partner and outside rail connection at Sugar Junction.
A compilation of DRGW's La Veta Pass route to the San Luis Valley now operated by the SLRG.
With Rio Grande Scenic passenger operations coming to a close in 2019, the Alamosa sub is once again freight-only, as reflected here.
