The Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985 will take state-fair visitors from Denver to Pueblo this August – for a price: from $285 to $475 a seat.
The tickets include a round-trip ride aboard the steam-locomotive-pulled train, a walking tour, meals, entry to the Colorado State Fair, an unlimited-ride pass and gifts.
Still, Chris Wiseman, the state fair’s general manager, said, “I can see people being upset because they think it’s too expensive.”
The train is more of a marketing tool to bring the fair more attention in Denver and across the country.
“This is really for people who are train enthusiasts,” Wiseman said Wednesday.
The train was a marketing idea that U.S. Rep. John Salazar and others hoped would serve as a way to call attention to the fair, which lost $1.2 million in 2006.
The goal was to make the train, from the Union Pacific Heritage Collection, available to fairgoers, Salazar said in a statement.
“I guarantee this will be a weekend excursion northern Colorado visitors won’t want to miss,” he said.
Wiseman said the cost of bringing in and operating the historic train also contributed to the ticket price.
Train enthusiasts from across the country are already sending e-mails, Wiseman said.
While the train may not initially be a moneymaker for the fair, that could change over time, Wiseman said.
The state auditor issued a report Tuesday after concern was raised about the fair’s financial viability.
For some fairgoers, though, Wiseman said that driving may still be the most economical way.
The train “is more of a way to bring more exposure to the fair,” he said.
Staff writer Sara Crocker can be reached at 303-954-1661 or scrocker@denverpost.com.
