This will be interesting.
With grades as steep as 3%, and the highest railroad crossing of the Rockies at over 10,000 feet, this is one of the most difficult stretches of railroad in the country to operate. A 3% grade on a real railroad is a serious operating obstacle. This is the primary reason UP mothballed the line.
I think the commuter rail aspect of this proposal is almost laughable. The highest track speed on this line would be about 25 mph, maybe 35 mph for a light passenger train, due to the grades and curves. Not exactly "high speed rail."
