Friday, July 10, 2009

Sun Valley: Bring back the train

Council encourages rail to Shoshone


By JON DUVAL
Express Staff Writer

If an effort to revive Amtrak's Pioneer line is successful, then travelers could once again have the option of stepping off a train in Shoshone on their way to Sun Valley.

At a special meeting on Thursday, the Sun Valley City Council unanimously approved a resolution to support Amtrak to resume its train service to central Idaho.

As written, the resolution encourages Amtrak to re-establish portions of the Pioneer Route in southern Idaho, specifically with a stop in Shoshone. The resolution would be brought to the attention of Idaho's representatives in Congress.

Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, has been a vocal supporter of this effort, working since 2007 to get Amtrak to resume the train service.

The Pioneer passenger train operated from 1977 to 1997, running from Seattle, Wash., to Denver, Colo., and along the way passing through the states of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. Within Idaho, the train had stops in Boise, Shoshone and Pocatello.

The resolution notes that the train would be an environmentally friendly method of travel, as well as increase accessibility and attract more visitors to the Wood River Valley.

Mountain Rides Transportation Authority would possibly provide bus transportation from Shoshone to the Wood River Valley.

But Sun Valley Councilwoman Joan Lamb cautioned that the Mountain Rides service wasn't guaranteed, especially if the train ran on its old schedule, which arrived in Shoshone, approximately 50 miles south of Sun Valley, in the middle of the night.

The effort to bring back the service has been championed by the Pioneer Restoration Organization, a coalition of communities along the route of the Pioneer train.

On the group's website, www.pioneertrain.com, there is a list of endorsements from public officials across the west including the cities of Boulder, Colo., Hood River, Ore., and Boise, Idaho.

Jon Duval: jduval@mtexpress.com




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