Sherrod Loop was the reverse curve that helped the South Park Line climb up to the over-11,000-foot-high Alpine Tunnel. Eastbound, the curve was the gateway to the more famous spots on the line including the Palisades, Split Rock, numerous other rock walls, and the Alpine Tunnel enginehouse. This video highlights the route from Woodstock to Sherrod as it exists today.
Searching for the C&S narrow gauge
Reflections on, insights about, research into, and visits to the remnants of the Colorado and Southern narrow gauge.
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Visit Sherrod Loop today - video
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Would you like to buy the Town of Sherrod?
The former Town of Sherrod, site of Sherrod Loop is for sale!
from Poor's DSP&P |
Check out the listing here.
Here is the description:
Don't miss your opportunity to own a very historic piece of Colorado property known as the Town of Sherrod. This 40 acre parcel was the town site of Sherrod and part of the Sherrod loop on the Alpine tunnel loop. The town of Sherrod was founded in 1903 and had a 3 year span known for its rich silver lodes in the surrounding mountains. The town had 2 hotels, 2 stores, a newspaper and several log cabins. In 1904 the Colorado & Southern Railroad constructed a train depot and a rail spur to move mining ores. Later on that depot was moved down to the town of Ohio City. Elevation of this property is 10,950.
Here is a great photo from the listing site:
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Footage of the C&Sng in the 1930s
I wanted to bring attention to a great video called Excursion to the Thirties which includes a good stretch of C&S narrow gauge film footage.
I originally posted a clip from a Youtube channel that posted it. Later, I found out that the DVD is still commercially available. In light of this, I removed the video link.
The video is available for purchase at a number of sites including...
In the video you'll see:
Clear Creek segment (1938 and 1939)
Here you'll see...
On August 11th, 1939 C&S 70 working in Idaho Springs.
C&S 69 running light past the Argo Mine
C&S 70 backing with a train of gondolas to Black Hawk
C&S 70 and train returning to Forks Creek
-you'll see the crew perform a flying switch with caboose 1003
-keep an eye out for the brakeman when he steps between the caboose and a rapidly approaching boxcar!
C&S 70 and train now eastbound heading for Golden
You'll see C&S 9 and 65 (with one as a midtrain helper) along with caboose 1003 traveling from Golden to Forks Creek on July 19, 1938. C&S 9 is now on display in Breckenridge.
Leadville Segment (1938)
Here you'll see...
the Leadville depot
the Leadville engine house
C&S 74 switching cars in the Leadville yards on July 6th, 1938 for the Molybdenum mine. The train then heads towards Climax with what appears to be caboose 1009. C&S engine 74 and caboose 1009 are both now at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden.
Boreas Pass Segment (1938)
Here you'll see..
C&S 71, 8 (dead), and 69 leave Breckenridge for Como on an equipment transport prior to abandonment. C&S 71 is now on display in Central City.
-Watch for two crew members riding the front of 71 apparently keeping an eye on the unmaintained track
C&S 73, westbound, with a scrap train traveling through Webster on July 19, 1938
The train climbing to the top of Kenosha Pass.
The train running through Kenosha summit. Track has been relaid at the summit near the site of the wye used to turn helpers.
Later in the day, the same train climbs eastbound up out of the South Park with 69 as helper
After reaching Kenosha summit, C&S 69 uncouples and backs up light to Como
Sunday, February 11, 2024
Big Train Tours - Way Car to Caboose: C&S “Bobber” No. 1009
A few days ago, the Colorado Railroad Museum posted another one of their "Big Train Tour at CRRM" videos. The focus this time was on C&S caboose 1009. It's a fantastic look at the history of the car that trailed the very last narrow gauge C&S train in 1943. The video also includes photos I hadn't seen before of 1009's time in Buena Vista as a shed.
Additional info:
Here is a segment of a series of articles I wrote about CRRM's history and acquisition of C&Sng equipment. This segments puts 1009's acquisition in historical context.
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
2023 Como work highlights and Boreas drone shots
The Denver, South Park and Pacific Historical Society continually does great work in the old C&S division point of Como (along with the South Park Rail Society). The video below shows some of their work from open houses and work days in 2023 with upcoming 2024 dates for the similar events.
There are great drone shots of the roundhouse, turntable, and depot. My favorite is one of locomotive Klondike Kate, dressed down for lots of needed work, on the turntable.
Below that video are some great drone video shots along the old C&S Boreas Pass route also produced by the DSP&P historical society.
Enjoy!
Friday, January 19, 2024
Georgetown Loop history video
The video below is at least 12 years old, but it tells some good history of the creation of the Georgetown Loop as well as its rebuilt version. They also tell a bit of a story that I find fascinating: the process required to move the impending I-70 up on the mountainside so that the Loop could be saved.
Focus on the railroad begins around 3:43
Saturday, January 6, 2024
Following the C&S through Platte Canyon video - Muldoon to Dome Rock to Westall Monument
This is the next video in a series I'm working on that follows the old DSP&P/C&S roadbed through Platte Canyon. Using footage provided by Phil Stock, this segment starts from a little past Muldoon (later known as Vermillion). From there we follow the South Platte River to Longview, followed by a station stop at Dome Rock. Dome Rock is a curious geological formation across the river. The station at Dome Rock is no longer in existence, but Phil stops close to where it once stood.
Finally, as we head toward the site of the Dome Rock water tower, the video briefly tells the fateful story of the 1898 wreck of Billy Westall's train. This video's journey ends at the monument that honors Westall's sacrifice.