SAM Magazine-Denver, Dec. 28, 2009-The Winter Park Ski Train has been put on hold until at least Jan. 6 after a U.S. district judge declined to issue a temporary restraining order that would have forced Amtrak to operate the Rio Grande Scenic Ski Train between Denver and Winter Park.

Iowa Pacific Holdings, which has been trying for months to take over operation of the Ski Train, had hoped to gain an injunction to require Amtrak to honor what Iowa Pacific said was a tentative agreement to operate the train. The judge could hear Iowa Pacific's request for a preliminary injunction as early as Jan. 6.

In seeking the temporary restraining order, Iowa Pacific said Amtrak backed out at the eleventh hour on a tentative deal the parties had for Amtrak to provide train crews to run the Ski Train. Among other issues, Amtrak demanded a doubling of the insurance Iowa Pacific carries and claimed that Iowa Pacific's railcars had not passed a required safety certification.

Iowa Pacific Holding said more than 13,000 passengers already had made reservations for the upcoming season. It will offer full refunds to those who had already booked tickets.

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