Colorado Pacific objects to UP’s Tennessee Pass rail line deal

(Source: Progressive Railroading 01/01/2021)

The Colorado Pacific Railroad intends to object to a new commercial agreement between Union Pacific Railroad and Colorado, Midland & Pacific Railway Co. (CMP) that calls for CMP to operate the Tennessee Pass rail line between Canon City and Eagle, Colorado.

A new subsidiary of Rio Grande Pacific Corp., CMP and UP recently agreed that the short line also will explore community interest in operating commuter-rail service on the line and the development of additional freight-rail opportunities.

But on Jan. 8, Colorado Pacific filed its objection with the Surface Transportation Board (STB). In 2020, Colorado Pacific had offered UP $10 million for the rail line, but the offer was rejected by UP and the STB, the Vail Daily reported. The STB rejected Colorado Pacific’s request to force a sale, and in a separate decision, granted UP a protective order to shield from public view what the company claimed was sensitive proprietary information.

In its Jan. 8 filing with the STB, Colorado Pacific takes issue with various details of the arrangement between UP and CMP, including its impact on rail service competition. Moreover, Colorado Pacific claims the notice of the agreement filed with the STB contained false information. 

Colorado Pacific’s full Jan. 8 notice filed with the STB can be read here.