The Great Western Railway (GWR) of Colorado, LLC, an affiliate of OmniTRAX, Inc., recently celebrated 115 years of service to northern Colorado. The GWR celebrated the anniversary by sponsoring a free day at the Colorado Model Railroad Museum in Greeley.
To cap off its celebration, the railroad will transport Santa in the GWR Yellowstone, a Pullman-type car built in 1898, to the Windsor Winter Wonderland festival on December 3. The car, which is famous for carrying Teddy Roosevelt during his 1900 whistle-stop campaign tour, has been fully restored to its original specifications with mahogany interior and carpeting. It has also been modernized to include kitchen facilities and an electronically controlled AC-system.
“What started as a means to bring sugar beets from field to factory has helped transform a once rural community into a leading industrial hub,” said Kevin Shuba, OmniTRAX CEO. “We are so fortunate to be part of the Great Western’s story, and we want to use the 115thAnniversary to give back to all the partners along the way who have made the railroad the success it is today.”
The GWR is also donating copies of the recently published book "The Great Western Railway" by Colorado historian Kenneth Jessen to all local public schools and libraries. The book includes 186 photos, 14 drawings and 6 maps that provide a comprehensive overview of the railroad from its beginning in 1901 to modern times, including its later role in TV shows and movies.