geek, the parks such as the one you posted the link for and the additional train rides are why I intend to return after my summer trip within a few years. I will probably wind up going there more than a couple times. Anyone looking over my albums will know that I like scenery and wildlife as much as I like trains.
There is a ton of Scenery, Wildlife, and Trains to enjot all year long in Colorado. You might find taking the California Zephyr to Glenwood Springs, CO a way to go as well as the view through the canyon is wonderful. If your a Skier, there is also the Ski Train that gets you from Denver to Winterpark ( http://www.skitrain.com/ ); which actually runs year around and takes you through the Moffat Tunnel.
I have taken the Zephyr both ways end to end already. In fact, I have taken all of the western routes, and the Zephyr is my favorite. I have heard about the ski train and I may take it when I have more time and money, but I am not a skier.
I think I would describe it more as a tourist train that uses UP's tracks. Anyone can buy tickets, including people not taking it to ski.
Ski Train is a wonderful way to spend a day. If not a skier and you take one of the cars with snacks intending to have breakfast on the train, do not be shy. The skiers will inhale all the food very fast.
I saw a westbound F unit on an ICE train in Lanark , IL the other night having SLRG spratpainted on the nose ... Are they getting a new F unit ?
I just saw this thread again while looking up another item. Love those links at the bottom! Our N-Trak club rode the La Veta line over Labor Day last year. A wonderful ride. Excellent crew and very helpful. Some were not as knowledgable of the history of the line as some passengers but that happens on lots of lines. Getting a restaurant able to handle a group of 30 in La Veta for lunch during the layover was a challenge but worked out fine. The club loved dinner @ True Grits the night before in Alamosa.
There is a website called: http://www.wagon-wheel-gap-route.freehomepage.com/Default.htm Might be the one you are thinking of.