Image Credit: Rocky Mountaineer

By Aaron Schulze

Rocky Mountaineer

Rocky Mountaineer expanding to the U.S., expected to create economic spinoff in Kamloops

Apr 5, 2021 | 3:18 PM

KAMLOOPS — While the start of Rocky Mountaineer’s Canadian travel season is delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the luxury train tour company is preparing another route in the United States.

Mark Southern, chief operation officer and senior vice-president of operations, said Rocky Mountaineer has a new route from Denver, Colorado to Moab, Utah starting Aug. 15.

“It’s a shortened season as we get into our new product,” Southern said. “We have been planning expansion for the last several years and adding more cars to our fleet. When COVID-19 came, we temporarily re-thought it. But when we weren’t sure when the borders would open, we decided to speed ahead.”

The U.S. route isn’t expected to affect operations in Kamloops. Instead, Southern expects a positive economic impact locally because of it.

“The fleet we built up will be brought back to Kamloops for maintenance,” he said. “Just recently, we recalled our team to start working on this train to get ready for its operation this summer in Colorado. Our Kamloops operation office will also be providing direction to our entire operation.”

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Nothing has changed for Rocky Mountaineer regarding a start to its Canadian travel season, although Southern is optimistic for a potential June start if the COVID-19 vaccine rollout progresses.