5 episodes
Ghost Train Colorado Public Radio
-
- News
-
-
4.9 • 369 Ratings
-
Ghost Train is a unique podcast miniseries from Colorado Public Radio about the people with a vision for a greener transportation system in Colorado, the challenges that kept much of that plan from becoming successful and the ideas that might help the region move forward. Hosted by CPR News transportation reporter Nathaniel Minor (“Since Columbine,” “The Taxman”), Ghost Train explores an everyday problem that many American cities face and takes a hard look at the possible solutions.
In 2004, Denver-area voters supported one of the most ambitious transit projects anywhere in the U.S. The plan called for a sprawling network of new rail lines that would let commuters glide by traffic and help transform Denver into a world-class city. But now, an uncomfortable truth has emerged: The train lines aren’t very useful to most people and have done relatively little to shift how they move around the region. And a key route in that network isn’t projected to open until 2050 and will cost at least $1.5 billion to complete. What’s the best path forward as leaders look to ease traffic gridlock and meet climate goals? And will the problems with this ambitious rail package doom other transit projects?
-
The Vote
With a brown cloud hovering overhead and a second-place football team, Denver had dreams of becoming a world-class city. But it wasn't until the turn of the millennium that it found a way to get there: trains. Part 1 of 4.
Hosted and reported by Nathaniel Minor
Editors: Erin Jones, Joe Wertz
Production and mixing: Rebekah Romberg
Additional production: Luis Antonio Perez
Theme song by Daniel Mescher. Additional music via Universal Production Music.
Artwork: Mia Rincón
Executive producers: Kevin Dale, Brad Turner
Additional editorial support: Jo Erickson, Alison Borden, Rachel Estabrook, Ana Campbell, Sherkiya Wedgeworth-Hollowell, Andrew Villegas, Dave Burdick
Archival tape thanks: Heather Dalton and Dominic Dezzutti at CPT-12; Tim Wieland and Steve Vriesman at CBS4 Denver; Kevin Krug at KMGH Denver7.
Thanks also to Kim Nguyen, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Hart Van Denburg.
Ghost Train is a production of CPR News and Colorado Public Radio's Audio Innovations Studio.
www.cpr.org/podcast/ghost-train
On Twitter:
@COPublicRadio
@nbminor
Correction: An earlier version of this episode incorrectly said Seattle had built a light rail system in the 1990s. The reference has been removed. -
The Mission
Sam Chesser loved the transit system when he visited New York City. So Sam, like many voters, supported a vision he thought would make his beloved hometown, Denver, just as accessible. That allowed transit planners to spend billions of dollars laying rail track. But almost two decades later, who actually uses it? Part 2 of 4.
Hosted and reported by Nathaniel Minor
Editors: Erin Jones, Joe Wertz
Production and mixing: Rebekah Romberg
Additional production: Luis Antonio Perez
Theme song by Daniel Mescher. Additional music via Universal Production Music.
Artwork: Mia Rincón
Executive producers: Kevin Dale, Brad Turner
Additional editorial support: Jo Erickson, Alison Borden, Rachel Estabrook, Ana Campbell, Sherkiya Wedgeworth-Hollowell, Andrew Villegas, Dave Burdick
Archival tape thanks: Heather Dalton and Dominic Dezzutti at CPT-12; Tim Wieland and Steve Vriesman at CBS4 Denver; Kevin Krug at KMGH Denver7.
Thanks also to Kim Nguyen, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Hart Van Denburg.
Ghost Train is a production of CPR News and Colorado Public Radio's Audio Innovations Studio.
www.cpr.org/podcast/ghost-train
On Twitter:
@COPublicRadio
@nbminor -
An Unexpected Solution
The Denver metro area's rail system mostly neglects the dense, walkable parts of the city. Why is that? And now, after we've spent decades prioritizing freedom in how we get around, is it time to change the way we live? Part 3 of 4.
Hosted and reported by Nathaniel Minor
Editors: Erin Jones, Joe Wertz
Production and mixing: Rebekah Romberg
Additional production: Luis Antonio Perez
Theme song by Daniel Mescher. Additional music via Universal Production Music.
Artwork: Mia Rincón
Executive producers: Kevin Dale, Brad Turner
Additional editorial support: Jo Erickson, Alison Borden, Rachel Estabrook, Ana Campbell, Sherkiya Wedgeworth-Hollowell, Andrew Villegas, Dave Burdick
Archival tape thanks: Heather Dalton and Dominic Dezzutti at CPT-12; Tim Wieland and Steve Vriesman at CBS4 Denver; Kevin Krug at KMGH Denver7.
Thanks also to Kim Nguyen, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Hart Van Denburg.
Ghost Train is a production of CPR News and Colorado Public Radio's Audio Innovations Studio.
www.cpr.org/podcast/ghost-train
On Twitter:
@COPublicRadio
@nbminor -
Waiting On A Train
After the lessons of rail, the Denver region might just be ready to move into a bus-centric transit future that better addresses climate change, air quality, and inequity. But there's one unfulfilled promise standing in the way: the Boulder train. Is it time for locals to let that go, or is there hope on the horizon? Part 4 of 4.
Hosted and reported by Nathaniel Minor
Editors: Erin Jones, Joe Wertz
Production and mixing: Rebekah Romberg
Additional production: Luis Antonio Perez
Theme song by Daniel Mescher. Additional music via Universal Production Music.
Artwork: Mia Rincón
Executive producers: Kevin Dale, Brad Turner
Additional editorial support: Jo Erickson, Alison Borden, Rachel Estabrook, Ana Campbell, Sherkiya Wedgeworth-Hollowell, Andrew Villegas, Dave Burdick
Archival tape thanks: Heather Dalton and Dominic Dezzutti at CPT-12; Tim Wieland and Steve Vriesman at CBS4 Denver; Kevin Krug at KMGH Denver7.
Thanks also to Kim Nguyen, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Hart Van Denburg.
Ghost Train is a production of CPR News and Colorado Public Radio's Audio Innovations Studio.
www.cpr.org/podcast/ghost-train
On Twitter:
@COPublicRadio
@nbminor -
'Ghost Train' Explores How Denver's Vision For A Better Transit System Jumped the Track
In 2004, Denver-area voters backed one of the most ambitious transit projects in the U.S. This plan called for a sprawling network of new rail lines that would help commuters glide by clogged roadways and transform Denver into a world-class city. But as train lines opened, some uncomfortable truths emerged: The trains aren’t very useful to most people. The trains have done relatively little to shift how people move around the region. And they cost a lot of money.
Denver’s love affair with trains is one of shared dreams and unstoppable personalities. It’s the story of billions of dollars and gleaming new infrastructure for a city on the rise. And for one particular corner of the metro area, it’s a story of disappointment and betrayal.
Ghost Train is the story of how one polluted, traffic-choked city went all in on trains, and what happened when that plan jumped the track.
Nathaniel Minor, the transportation reporter for Colorado Public Radio, has spent years trying to understand this anger, what these trains were meant to accomplish and whether they’re succeeding. But this story is about so much more than one train system in Colorado. Because Denver’s not the only place opening new rail lines. Cities all across America are turning to rail to face down big issues like climate change, traffic and inequity.
Ghost Train from CPR News starts Feb. 8. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode.
Customer Reviews
Amazing journalism from CPR
Thanks for this in-depth reporting on such a vital issue. I hope the next generation can thank us for our investments in mass transit.
Long time Coloradan who finally understands
A great listen if you’ve truly always wondered why this train has not happened yet. Like many Denverites, I commute to Boulder, and feel forced to drive. I hate it! RTD needs to at the very least bring back express bus. I learned so much from this reporting and do understand the complexity so much better now. But my trust in RTD remains LOW. (Next up, can CPR do a series on pot tax??? Where did it go??? Why does CO still have the lowest salaries for teachers, not great schools, and the worst roads). I’m starting to feel like we have some budgeting issues all around 🤔
Quick and Educational
I’m not from Colorado and have never been there (didn’t even know they had rails there!) but this show popped up as a recommendation after finishing Parched from CPR and I loved it! The mini-series was the perfect length for me to listen on my commute (via rail) over the last couple days and I’m eager to keep up with the news on this rail system.