The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the Colorado Pacific Rio Grande--formerly Iowa Pacific's San Luis & Rio Grande, and once the Denver & Rio Grande Western's route to Creede and Alamosa in the Centennial State's San Luis Valley--more than $7 million in grant funds to upgrade its route.
The language in the award for the Build 2026 grant states: "The project will remove a major chokepoint and cause of derailments due to poor rail condition at the La Veta Pass in rural Colorado. The project includes replacement of rail, ballasts, track materials, rail posts and ties, rail anchors, and 16-inch double shoulder tie plates in curves at or over 3 degrees and roadbed tamping and shoulder conditioning on La Veta Pass and its approaches."
This route has an interesting history, being part of the early days of the D&RGW's predecessor era, followed by a spinoff by Union Pacific to RailAmerica and a subsequent sale to Iowa Pacific. Following IPH's bankruptcy, the San Luis & Rio Grande was operated by a Chicago-based trustee until its sale to The Soloviev Group, which also operates the former Missouri Pacific Towner Line in and Colorado.
Colorado Pacific Train, led by an EMD SD70MAC on the affiliated Colorado Pacific. Photo Credit: Quentin Soloviev via Wikipedia.