Amtrak might restore Pioneer line between Seattle and Denver

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — This city exists because of railroads, but regular commercial passenger trains haven't rumbled through here in almost a dozen years.

That could change. Amtrak is evaluating whether to resume service on three discontinued routes, including the old Pioneer line that used to cross southern Wyoming on its way between Seattle and Denver.

The Pioneer line ran from 1977 to 1997, from Seattle south to Vancouver, Clark County, and Portland, then along the Columbia Gorge, through northeast Oregon, Boise and other cities in Idaho, Wyoming (including Cheyenne and five other stops) and on to Denver. The train ran three times a week.

Amtrak abandoned the Pioneer line after it posted a $20 million loss in 1996.

Congress in 2008 passed a law telling Amtrak to study the feasibility of restoring discontinued passenger rail routes, including the Pioneer line. Amtrak plans to work with a consultant on the study and report back in October, according to Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari.

"We deliver basically a document that lays out what the current infrastructure condition is, what it would cost to improve that infrastructure to better restore passenger trains at speeds that are competitive with driving," Magliari said.