4 Sections of Relaid C&S Track: Boreas Pass area

Here is a look at 4 places you can find C&S rails relaid on the original roadbed between Peabodys (outside of Como) and Breckenridge. Since the line was abandoned in 1937 and the rails pulled in 1938, a few spots of relaid rails have sprung up. There are four:

4. A short segment of track at what is known as “Rocky Point.” The C&S roadbed from Como to Breckenridge has been converted for auto use. One of the few spots where the road leaves the grade is here, allowing this C&S track recreation to be built (by the Forest Service, I think?). 

3. The lead track to Boreas Pass summit engine house. The engine house burned long before the railroad called it quits, but its ruins are still visible. A segment of track leading to the ruins once held reconstructed C&S boxcar 8311. 8311 has been in Como for several years for restoration work and, as far as I know, it will be returned to this spot in the future.

2. A portion of the passing siding at Boreas Pass summit. I don’t know the intention of this very short piece of track, but it sits on (or near) what was the location of the passing track adjacent to the old C&S mainline on the side nearest to the section house.

1. The display track at Highline Railroad Park in Breckenridge. While there are several display tracks, the main one sits on the original grade and displays a rebuilt C&S boxcar, C&S 2-6-0 No. 9, and a White Pass & Yukon rotary snowplow relettered for the Denver, Leadville & Gunnison (another C&S predecessor).

Happy Fall on Boreas Pass!

I came across this video below with a tour of C&S No. 9 and Boreas Pass Road and found it interesting. The narrator is off on some details and railroad terminology, but I think you'll enjoy his delight at experiencing the wonders of the line over the pass. The fall colors are also stunning.

Happy Fall!

1979 C&S News (2) - Como Field Trip, Loop gets a Shay

A wealth of railfan history exists in the archives of the Rocky Mountain Rail Report, the newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club started in 1939.  Here is some more miscellaneous South Park Line/C&S-related news from the 1979 editions.   

1979

September

(The club goes on a "Como Field Trip" over Boreas Pass with Ed Haley who grew up riding the line)

Fall flowers in Como, 2022

THE BOREAS PASS - COMO FIELD TRIP on August 18, provided an opportunity to explore a portion of the old DSP&P right-of-way, learn a bit of Colorado rail history, and take in some great scenery all at the same time. 

The group started on the grade in Breckenridge as planned, making occasional stops enroute over the pass at various points of interest. Ed Haley's commentary at each stop helped us visualize what the rail and mining operations were like on the pass years ago. 

Lunch at Baker's Tank was quite pleasant, and the summit of Boreas Pass was another highlight. Although it was the middle of August, Mother Nature was already trying her hand at snowmaking, fresh traces of which could be seen on some mountaintops. 

Ominous looking clouds in the distance were present throughout the day, but they held off until arrival in Como. Then it was like standing under the spout of a giant water tank. The deluge prevented planned tours of the Como yards while half the group ate dinner in the Como Eating House, unfortunately, but shelter was available in the old schoolhouse. 

The Como Hotel and Eating House Oct. 2022

When everyone completed supper, Ed Haley gave a memorable program on riding the Denver-Breckenridge passenger train. It was a good feeling to see the Como Hotel and Eating House back in business after all these years. Although only in business for a short time, and not really set up for a "group attack" like the one the club dropped on the new proprietors after an already busy day, Keith Hodges and his wife left the same good impression with us that they have been with individual diners. 

If your travels take you through Como at either breakfast, lunch or suppertime, consider stopping in and trying out the "Como Depot Restaurant. " Their prime rib seems to be developing a  reputation all by itself.

(The Sundown and Southern's depot burns to the ground)

Remains of the DSP&P coach No. 3

THE OLD FT. LUPTON DEPOT that had been moved to a planned narrow gauge rail operation east of that town several years ago, tragically burned to the ground this summer, when a weed fire got too close to the structure. (Ed. This was at Don Drawer's planned-tourist railroad destination named The Sundown & Southern. A few South Park pieces made it to the property including refrigerator car 1113 and a coach body-DSP&P coach No. 3 "The Geneva." While moving a Union Pacific depot via trailer to the property, it got stuck in sand and remained on the spot for six months. Later, after the depot finally arrived, Drawer was burning weeds around the building when it caught fire, completely destroying the structure. With no fire hydrants at the remote location, nothing could be done)

Sundown & Southern

October

(Shay No. 8 begins service at the Georgetown Loop)

EX-WEST SIDE SHAY NO. 8 moved to Silver Plume from Gales Creek, Oregon, last fall, passed required inspections, and began operating on the Georgetown loop in September. After several days of test runs, it was assigned to the passenger train, and has performed quite well. Last day of operations on the loop for this year will be on September 30. 

(Ed. The December 1978 Rocky Mountain Rail Report stated: "COLORADO AND THE GEORGETOWN, BRECKENRIDGE & LEADVILLE RAILWAY gained another steam locomotive recently, with the arrival of ex-West Side Lumber Company's 3-foot gauge Shay Locomotive No. 8 at Silver Plume on October 12. The locomotive was trucked all the way from Banks, Oregon, and presented some challenging problems during the move, Parts had to be removed to get it down to a truck-able load, and it took several weeks to make the journey (and a truck with 11 axles and 66 tires!!). It is hoped to have it operational on the Georgetown Loop by the middle of next summer.") 

Shay 8 on display in 2004 - Nathan D. Hale photo

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...

Walthers

Railfan Depot

Trainfan Video Depot

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

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!

1979 C&S News (1) - Running snowplows through Alpine Tunnel, club trip to Boreas Pass

A wealth of railfan history exists in the archives of the Rocky Mountain Rail Report, the newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club started in 1939.  Here is some miscellaneous South Park Line/C&S-related news from the 1979 editions.   

1979

March

(Man who rode the last rotary through Alpine Tunnel turns 95)

OUR VERY BEST WISHES to George Champion who just celebrated his 95th birthday! George worked on the South Park line (he rode the last rotary snowplow run through the Alpine Tunnel) and the Moffat Road and is a fountain of information when the topic of conversation is about those fascinating lines.

(Ed. You can hear an audio recording of Champion describing his experience taking a rotary through Alpine Tunnel below)

July

(Exploring Como and Boreas Pass with Ed Haley, Dick Kindig, and George Champion)

A PORTION of one of Colorado's most colorful narrow gauge lines will be the subject of the club's August field trip as we explore the Breckenridge Como grade of the DSP&P. The 20-mile grade over Boreas Pass has not heard the exhaust of a steam locomotive since the late 1930's, but most of the route is still intact, and a few relics of the railroad's past are still evident. 

Baker Tank 2018

The field trip will start at the east end of the Villa Italia Shopping Center in Lakewood near the Joslins store. Departing from there at 8:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 18, we will proceed to Breckenridge and the beginning of the grade. There will be a number of "wandering" stops along the way, such as at Baker's Tank and the summit, but only one very short walk during the day. 

Just about anyone could make this trip, and the road is passable for autos. Ed Haley, Dick Kindig, and George Champion will be along to answer questions on the line, and describe points on interest relating to some of their experiences in riding the line back in the "good old days'?" We will stop along the way for lunch. We ask everyone to bring their own picnic lunch and beverages, and perhaps a blanket to throw on the ground.

Richard Kindig

Upon arrival at Como, we will take a look at the site of the rail yards, including the station and roundhouse. George, who is intimately familiar with Como, will explain the yards and answer questions and show photos of the facilities as they once were. Supper will be served in the old Como Eating House by Keith Hodges, who is renovating the structure for use, once again. 

After supper, we will go up to the old school house and enjoy a slide program by Ed Haley and Dick Kindig on their experiences in riding the passenger train from Denver to Leadville by way of Como and Boreas Pass. 

The fare for this all-day outing, which will cover the handout, dinner and program, is $7.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 12. Tickets MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE, and will be sold on a first-come first-served basis. Please send orders to the club's post office box. Please use the order blank at the end of the newsletter, or forward the same information.

August

THE BOREAS PASS-COMO FIELD TRIP will take place on Saturday, August 18. Refer to last month's newsletter for details and ticket order blank. 

A reminder that tickets must be purchased in advance, $7,00 adults, $3.00 under 12. For those who have ordered theirs already, the tickets will be in the mail soon. Even if you have been over the pass, and many of us have at one time or another, this is still a good opportunity to refresh the memory (and the lungs), get first-hand information on the line, have dinner at the recently reopened railroad eating house in Como, and see a slide program on riding the line in the 30's. The drive is about 150 miles round trip from Denver, and will include little walking. Departure from Villa Italia Shopping Center is at 8:00 A.M., although if you wish to meet the group on the south end of Breckenridge, we will depart from there no sooner than 10:00 A.M. Bring a picnic lunch. If you have any questions, call Darrell Arndt at 321-2723, or Ardie Schoeninger at 238-4485. * * * * *

(Ed. Take this same adventure over Boreas Pass with me below!) 

Following the C&S over Boreas Pass - Boreas to Farnham Spur - video

I posted videos to experience the C&S from Como to Boreas Summit a few years back and have finally gotten to do a little work on the stretch west of Boreas heading toward Breckenridge.  This video covers one mile from the summit through to the site of Farnham or Farnham Spur.  I found a few railroad-era photos to line up along the way and even some shots of Farnham Spur that I had not seen before (on the Breckenridge History Archives site).

Enjoy!

Kurt

Here are the previous two parts of this video series:

 

And one video covering the remaining structures and displays at Boreas as they were in 2018.

Boreas Pass by drone (video)

The former C&S mainline over Boreas Pass is a unique experience as it is the only place where one can drive directly on the narrow gauge right-of-way over a mountain pass exactly as the steamers of the C&S did until the scrap train in 1938.  I recently came upon a nice video produced by the DSP&P Historical Society.  It includes some stunning drone footage of sections of the Boreas Pass grade such as Windy Point, original rock work, and the Boreas Pass section house.

As a supplement, here are two videos of a drive my family took over Boreas Pass.  Along the way, former railroad locations, structures, and wreck sites are pointed out.  Google Earth maps showing the right-of-way en route are shown as well to help get a sense of the location and engineering of the line.  

Part 1: Como to Windy Point

Part 2: Windy Point to Boreas Pass Summit

Unfortunately, I haven't completed the video coming down the western side of the pass. 

Here is a short video of a walk my family took on the re-laid track at Windy Point.

A First Visit to Platte Canon, part 2

This is part 2 of my recent October 2022 visit to a portion of the abandoned Platte Canon route of the Colorado & Southern narrow gauge.  Part 1 can be found here. 

 Webster

The remains of the Webster water tank

Our next stop was the site of Webster, a place where C&S trains, both east and westbound, would stop for water.  We parked in a rutted road on the right which led to a very old cemetery on the hillside.  In the distance, on the left side of 285 are the remains of the Webster water tank.  Only the base is present and a field is in the place where the mainline and the siding large enough for 43 cars once were.  Unfortunately, the supports seem to be on a gated property so we could only snap shots from afar.  I would have loved to get up close to it!  Someone later commented on a forum that he had found the owner friendly to visitors, but we didn't know it at the time.  The beams look quite sturdy for a structure that hasn’t seen a train for over eighty years.  

The westbound tracks used to curve to the right shortly after the water tank.  The railroad then crossed 285 from left to right here.  On the right, the roadbed is now Colorado 60 for part of the way until the railroad made a horseshoe curve back to the highway and began its climb towards Kenosha Pass.  We took a short jaunt up this gravel road for a few minutes and turned back around, surrounded by vibrant aspen leaves.  

Colorado 60, the old C&S grade

Back on 285 the railroad was on the right, higher up on the hillside.  Along this stretch there are some palisade rock walls supporting the grade, but unfortunately, as the driver, I couldn’t see them.  The right-of-way crossed to the left at another spot, near railroad milepost 73, which we could not identify in passing.  

Hoosier

Colorado 58, the old C&S grade

Our next point of interest was where the route crossed 285 from left to right near a siding for nine cars known as Hoosier.  To the right, then, Colorado 58 comes off of 285 and is on the roadbed (though it parallels the road to the right slightly at some point) up Hall Valley until it curves off left at the Dake townsite (where large charcoal kilns once stood to the right of the roadbed) into a balloon loop, crossing the North Fork of the South Platte River, and then travels through a cut and returns parallel but higher again than 285.  

ROW curves left up ahead. Cut is barely visible at left

We drove onto the dirt C 58 road, noticing a moose mud hole on our left that Tom Klinger told us to watch for.  He said you can sometimes see moose there, but it was vacant at our visit.  We kept looking for the turnoff of the roadbed to the left, and I thought I found it.  I precariously took my rental car on a bumpy one-lane dirt track for a little bit.  From my Google Earth maps, I knew the railroad line would keep turning left, which our road did for a little while, but when the road started curving sharply right, I had the inkling we were not on the roadbed.  Later map research revealed that I had missed the ROW and instead was driving on C 811.  Needless to say, we turned around and headed back to 285 to continue the climb up Kenosha Pass. 

Kenosha Pass

Rebuilt main line, curving into stub end of wye to the left. Long ties at right would have been mainline

Finally, we reached the top of Kenosha Pass which was littered on left and right with a multitude of cars.  Visitors flooded the area to take in the fall mountain beauty.  We pulled off to the left and drove between parallel fences to another parking spot at the hiking trailheads.  From there we backtracked on foot to the partially rebuilt Kenosha wye where helper engines once turned after assisting trains up grade.  We started walking on the tracks from what was the stub end of the wye.  The right hand side, eastbound from our walking direction, of the narrow gauge wye is completely rebuilt.  A switch leading west leads to a short several feet of track.  The switch at this point is a stub switch and I got a chance to explain to my daughter how it worked since you can actually turn the switch stand.  Unfortunately, there is no connection to the rail.  

Stub end of wye out of sight to right

Following the longer rebuilt portion to the right (east) there are some longer ties that make it appear that there were (are?) plans for a switch to build more track that would potentially connect both ends of the wye, but the ties remain rail-less for now.  The wye would need to cross the road to the trailheads too, which seems unlikely.  

    A good deal of coal dust trails the tracks.  At several spots there are good historical signs detailing the railroad and the wye.  One sign also pointed out the still-present wetland to the east that shows up in photos from the railroad era.  

The South Park

The great South Park

We hopped back into our Nissan and crested the vista where the South Park explodes into your senses as this sweeping flatland extends gloriously into the distance surrounded by stalwart mountain peaks.  This view makes it very clear why the railroad enshrined the name “South Park” in both its name and advertising.  What a sight!

The grade coming down the pass. Cut in distance

The C&S right-of-way is down below the highway on the mountainside at left.  Tom Klinger told me to look for a right hand pull off for viewing it farther down the mountainside.  I tried the first one, ran across 285, but couldn’t see anything.  We drove down to the next one, about half way down the mountain.  Then my daughter and I rushed across to the left and, sure enough, one could see, looking upgrade and left, the roadbed snaking its way down from the pass.  A cut, while distant, is easily visible upgrade to the left.  As the grade passed in front of us and down the slope to the floor of the South Park, one can make it out, though it is quite faint.  

Jefferson

Jefferson depot, soon to be an Airbnb

We scurried back to our car, drove downgrade, passing where the roadbed crosses to the right of 285, and entered into that great expanse, finally reaching the old, but still living town of Jefferson where the 1880 DSP&P depot still stands right off the highway.  The adjacent Hungry Moose Caboose restaurant, reopened for the first time in three years and under new ownership, was our place to stop for lunch.  The restaurant sits right on top of what would have been the west leg of the Jefferson wye.  

While we weren’t adventurous enough to order “The Trainwreck” sandwich which we were told by the owner was “huge” (In fact, you can buy a T-shirt that says “I survived the Trainwreck”), we indulged on a truly delectable bacon cheeseburger made from beef from a ranch just five miles away.  

BN caboose in primer west of Jefferson depot

While eating, we got to chat with the owner.  He and his wife own both the restaurant and also the depot.  They live in the former depot presently and are in the process of converting it to be an Airbnb rental.  They hope to have it available next spring 2023.  Recently, the couple replaced all the original station windows to make it better insulated.  The old windows are sitting in the yard.  He explained that all the exterior and interior walls are original and the ticket window still exists as well.  As if this hard work wasn’t enough, he acquired a standard gauge Burlington Northern caboose and put it on a short stretch of track on the old roadbed just west of the station and plans to convert it to a two-person Airbnb rental too.  

We asked him what it’s like to live in such a small town.  He remarked that he loved it, loved the quiet, and loved the closeness to nature.  There are 15 residents in Jefferson right now and the Community Center, across the highway next to the historic Jefferson school building with its old-time bell tower, offers a way to connect with neighbors.  Winters, he remarked, are challenging as it is very cold and very windy.  This reminded me of photos and stories I’ve seen of South Park cars being blown off tracks in the area.  It also explained the reason for those odd, wooden vestibules built outside the doors of the Como depot.  The South Park gets serious wind!

Como

Line to Denver at left.  Eating House, depot, & roundhouse in distance

    After our delicious lunch my daughter and I got back on 285 to head west toward Como.  The roadbed is on the right, but it was hard for me to identify it at times, at least while driving.  It looked as if the power line poles that parallel the highway beginning shortly west of Jefferson might be on the ROW.  At one location I caught sight of what once must have been a short trestle over a gully where the bridge posts still stick up from the ground. 

Repainted C&S 8311, formerly on display at Boreas Pass

    Our official last railroad-related stop was Como.  I was last there in 2018 and while it is dramatically changed since that time and I would have loved to explore more of the railroad developments, we just didn’t have much more leeway in time so it had to be a quick visit.  On this Friday, October late morning no one was around, but we got to see the rolling stock outside the roundhouse and depot including C&S boxcars 8311 and 8323, DSP&P boxcar 608, and various other non-C&S equipment.  Mia and I took a walk down the mainline to the end of the right hand line to Denver and then walked to the end of the line to Boreas Pass.  It was fun to note the coal dust resting in the grass in large piles.  

Standing on the mainline to Boreas Pass (which is behind me)

With our last stop behind us, we jumped back in for the remaining trip.  I had hoped to stop at the crossing of the Gunnison main from the right of 285 to the left just a little west of Como.  This left hand ROW is now route 7 that comes off of the highway, but sadly I didn’t have time to photograph it.  One can see the roadbed glide off and away to the left.  

End of the Line

The rebuilt scale house and Boreas Pass in the distance

One more stop I had originally planned was the crossing of the right-of-way at Garos where a wye was located, but I assumed I would see a sign for Garos.  Needless to say, no sign greeted me and I assume the townsite is long gone.

    After a glorious morning of ghost-train chasing, we made the stunning drive down to Canon City, experiencing more fog as we got close.  There we had a great weekend exploring Worldview at the Abbey for the Preview Weekend and opened our hands, in a sense, to ask Jesus to give us insight if this is good place for our daughter after she graduates this coming May.  Admittedly, I'd be happy for an excuse to visit Colorado (and more C&S sites) more often!

The Abbey in Canon City

One of my favorite parts of visiting the areas where the C&S ran is how alive it makes photographs and maps when one can visualize the spot today.  I am so happy, as I sit writing this on our airplane home, that just a few moments ago I did just that.  I opened up Tom and Denise Klinger’s Platte Canon Memories & Then Some and paged through the photos with that wonderful feeling that says, “I was there!”

1976 C&S news (2) - Tales of riding the South Park, passing of Dow Helmers, paint for Silver Plume depot

A wealth of railfan history exists in the archives of the Rocky Mountain Rail Report, the newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club started in 1939.  Here is some more miscellaneous South Park Line/C&S-related news from the 1976 editions.   

1976

July

(Riding the South Park to Leadville) 

Richard Kindig-Denver Post

Club members E. J. Haley and Richard Kindig will present a program of 35mm sides entitled "Riding the South Park to Leadville." Slides included were made from photos taken by or in the collections of Haley, Kindig and the late Mac Poor. By means of this series of South Park railroad views, together with Ed's comments, they will take you on a nostalgic winter trip from Denver through the Platte Canyon, up over Kenosha Pass, through Jefferson and Como, twice over the Continental Divide at Boreas and Fremont Passes, culminating with arrival at two-mile high Leadville. As both Ed and Dick personally explored and rode this line, their program on riding this colorful narrow gauge trip in the 1930's should really be something to look forward to. 

(Ed. if only the above presentation would have been recorded on audio or film!)

August

(Haley & Kindig share about their ride from Denver to Leadville on the C&S)

Many of us who are interested in Colorado's rail history, have undoubtedly pondered at one time or

Climb over Boreas

another about how it must have been to experience a train ride or perhaps witness a railroad event(s) back in the days when steam power and narrow gauge operations were seldom given a second thought. Some of us have been fortunate enough to drive and/or walk over old railroad grades in the state, and by looking at pictures and reading books, get some idea of what took place or existed in a particular spot many years ago. At the July meeting, Ed Haley and Dick Kindig gave us their first hand account of a portion of a now extinct narrow gauge railroad the Denver South Park and Pacific, relating their experiences on the colorful old line and illustrating with photos, a ride from Denver to Leadville and return in the 1930's. It was absolutely fascinating to see what the route and operation looked like back then, with many areas shown that can easily be viewed today; the Platte Canyon, the route along Highway 285 from Bailey west, Como, Boreas Pass, along the Blue and Tenmile Rivers, Fremont Pass and Leadville. A highlight of the trip was stopping and waiting for the rotary snowplow to dig its way through the snow on Boreas. Ed and Dick's program was certainly tops....in every respect! 

(Rocky Mtn. RR Club Day at the Georgetown Loop)

THE GEORGETOWN, BRECKENRIDGE & LEADVILLE RAILWAY will host a Rocky Mountain Railroad Club Day on Saturday, August 28, 1976, at Silver Plume, Colorado. Steam locomotive No. 44, a narrow gauge 2-8-0, will pull trains throughout the day with frequent photo runs held at various locations. The purchase of a $5.00 pass will allow the holder unlimited rides on the railroad for that day. Trains will be operated from late morning until 5:00p.m. If you have not seen the line or ridden it recently, this will be a good opportunity to do so and note the amount of progress that is consistently being made on reconstruction. All are welcome to attend on this special day. 

(Ed. It seems that at this time, what we refer to as the Georgetown Loop RR, was titled the GB&L)

(DSP&P Reprint) Won't Be Long Now

Progress on the Club's reprinting of Mac Poor's DENVER SOUTH PARK & PACIFIC is moving along quite well with binding and preparation for mailing about to begin. Consequently, the Club's Board of Directors has decided that the pre-publication price of the book will expire at midnight, August 10, 1976.

After that time, the $24.00 price will be in effect. Orders by mail for the book at $19.00 must be postmarked by midnight of the 10th, or placed in person at the August 10th meeting. Please remember that, should you not take advantage of this bargain price on such an outstanding publication, we cannot be responsible for any dislocated hips, bruises, and what-have-you when you end up kicking yourself later. 

(The passing of Dow Helmers, author of Historic Alpine Tunnel)

WE REGRET TO HAVE TO REPORT THE DEATH of an old friend and avid Colorado historian, Dow Helmers, who passed away in a Colorado Springs hospital on July 22, at the age of 70. 

Dow was born and educated in Colorado Springs. He eventually became a staff member of the Pueblo Star-Chieftain newspaper and later started his own business consisting of several paint stores. After his retirement a few years ago, he moved back to the Springs. Dow authored two well knows books, "TRAGEDY AT EDEN" and "HISTORIC ALPINE TUNNEL," and wrote many articles on historic and railroad subjects and was a frequent contributor to the Empire magazine of the Denver Post. He was a long time member of the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club, a member of the State Historical Society of Colorado and was active in the Colorado Midland Chapter of the NRHS. He is survived by his widow, Theresa, three daughters and two grandchildren. Entombment was in Evergreen Mausoleum in Colorado Springs. 

(Ed. This book holds a special place in my heart as it was the first book to introduce me to the Alpine Tunnel and to the DSP&P/C&S thanks to a copy in a local library)

September

(DSP&P Reprint off to the bindery)

OVER 4,000 COPIES OF DENVER SOUTH PARK & PACIFIC were sent to the bindery recently. Upon completion of binding, the books will be mailed direct to each purchaser. 

(RMRRC Day and final coat of paint for the Silver Plume depot)

Silver Plume depot 2018

NUMEROUS RIDES on the Georgetown, Breckenridge & Leadville Railway from Silver Plume were enjoyed by members who took advantage of the unlimited ride tickets made available for Saturday, August 28. Both the steamer and diesel were used to pull various consists, with occasional photo stops included and stops added to drop off and pick up picnickers. At Silver Plume, the Seebees were observed putting a final coat of paint on the depot and received helpful hints and advice on how to do it from the more knowledgeable train passengers. Other work could be seen under way in the valley on buildings being constructed for the Georgetown Loop historic mining area project. 

1976 C&S news (1) - Otto Perry on Boreas Pass, caboose in Buena Vista

A wealth of railfan history exists in the archives of the Rocky Mountain Rail Report, the newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club started in 1939.  Here is some miscellaneous South Park Line/C&S-related news from the 1976 editions.   

1976

January

Progress Report on the Denver South Park & Pacific Memorial Edition 

Ed Haley reports that printing is now finished on the first 324 pages of the book that is being reprinted by the Club. All photographic plates have been made, and a third color plate is currently in process. Pages up to 250 have been folded and collated. The binding operation, of course, cannot begin until printing, collating and folding of the pages is complete. To date, over 2,500 copies have been sold. If progress continues at its current pace, the book should be out in late 1976. 

February
(Otto Perry and Ed Haley bounce over ties on Boreas Pass)

The Otto Perry movies shown at the January meeting were, as usual, absolutely fascinating. In addition to the various scenes in the Rocky Mountain region, were beautiful action views of mainline steam farther east with Pennsylvania, New York Central and other eastern and midwestern lines being included.

Complementing the railroad shots taken in Colorado, were a few of Otto's scenery shots, Denver rail

Boreas Pass is quite different from Otto Perry's days!

transit sequences, some beautiful action closeups of an obscure hog wallow on some ranch that seemed to have caught Otto's eye, and some scenes of driving over Boreas Pass back in the days when the ties were still in place. Several amusing shots, although probably thought of as serious business at the time by those involved, showed Otto's car bouncing slowly along over the ties and Ed Haley out front with a hatchet, chopping down small trees and otherwise modifying the local vegetation to allow passage. Nowadays, some people probably drive up that same road, now graded, in their four-wheel-drive vehicles and pat themselves on the back when they reach the top. If they only knew what they are missing .... 

(Ed. - Does anyone know the whereabouts of this film??)

April
(Standard Gauge caboose placed on display in Buena Vista)

STILL ALIVE AND KICKING - an old wooden caboose has been obtained from the BN in Denver and moved by truck to Buena Vista, Colorado and parked in the downtown area. The car was placed on a length of track and is being cleaned up (the interior was sandblasted throughout) and used as a small store. 

(Ed.-This is not the caboose that is now on display outside the restored South Park Buena Vista depot.  The present one was donated in 2005)

The video below shares the story of how the depot was saved and moved in 2002.  It also includes a walk-through of the present caboose)

May
(Georgetown Loop double-header)

On September 11, special double-headed steam trips for the Club will be run on the Georgetown Loop Railroad. 

(Ed-Here's a good mystery I'm hoping someone might solve: The Loop only had No. 44 on site at this time.  IRCA No. 40 wouldn't come to the Loop until 1977.  Does anyone know if this double-header actually occurred and with what engines?  My guess is that there was a tentative plan to bring No. 40 earlier, but it didn't happen-that's just my guess.  If anyone knows more, please fill me in!)

Kurt

Progress Report on the republication of Denver South Park & Pacific

Printing of the last few pages of the 1976 edition of Mac Poor's "Denver South Park & Pacific" (the reprint of the original 1949 edition) is taking place as this newsletter is being printed. The printed sheets have been folded and collated as they come off the press and the gathered pages should be ready to be sent to the bindery in June. With a couple of months for binding and another for inspection, packaging, and shipping, the first of the books should begin reaching their destinations in late September or early October, providing unexpected problems do not arise to delay production. Do not delay mailing in your order for the book if you wish to take advantage of the pre-publication bargain price of $19.00. When the first books are received from the bindery, the price will be raised to $24.00. For quality and content, this book will be far superior to many of the $30.00 to $35.00 railroad books on the market today. 

Boreas Pass RR Day 2022!

 So wish I could be there!

The history of Highline Railroad Park video

Highline Railroad Park in Breckenridge, Colorado is a park dedicated to the history of the DSP&P/DL&G/C&S line over Boreas Pass.  On display are C&S engine No. 9, C&S boxcar 8323, and replica C&S caboose 1012.  Also on display are are a White Pass & Yukon rotary snowplow and a D&RGW flatcar.  This video below shows some brief history surrounding the park and some of the rolling stock on display.

When I first visited Breckenridge in the early 1990s I only saw a sign commemorating the Boreas Pass route.  I was unaware that there was a rotary snowplow on display near a cemetery.  On a return visit in the early 2000s I saw the Rotary Snowplow Park for the first time.  When I was there it was just the White Pass rotary with two C&S boxcars behind it.  Finally, in my family's 2018 trip we were able to see the full Highline Railroad Park with No. 9, the replica C&S caboose, and all the other added signage and playground details.  

I didn't get any footage of the Highline RR Park's museum building.  Sorry!

Visit the summit of Boreas Pass! Video

Before I had visited Boreas Pass summit myself I could never get a good sense of what it looked like.  It just seemed so nondescript compared to the Alpine Tunnel station area.  I finally visited in 2018.  I put together this video especially for those who haven't been there to get a sense of the layout and facilities that once were there, the remains of those gone, and the restored aspects at present.  I also tried to line up some historical photos with my photos and video.

My apologies for not filming the inside of the section house.  We had to make it to Boulder by the evening and couldn't linger as much as I would have liked.

Enjoy,
Kurt

Ride the C&S over Boreas Pass - part 2 video

This is the second part to my family's 2018 trip over Boreas Pass.  In the video, I designate location with insets corresponding to Google Earth so you have a sense of where you are on the journey over the pass.  Several sites are pointed out as well including:
-Selkirk trestle
-Selkirk water tank
-Selkirk siding
-2 different wreck sites (one from the 1890s and another from 1936)
-Boreas snowshed
-Boreas summit (more detailed film at the summit and the facilities and displays there will be in a future video)

If you expand the description in Youtube I've also created timecode links to points of interest which allows you to jump to those parts without watching all the way through.

I hope you enjoy it!

Ride the C&S over Boreas Pass-part 1

This past July my family and I drove over Boreas Pass for the first time.  Using a GoPro mounted inside our Honda minivan, I tried to record the whole trip from Como to Breckenridge.

This is part 1, covering the distance from Como to Rocky/Windy Point.  Along the way, I tried to label points of interest relating to the railroad.  I also use screen shots from Google Earth to help the viewer tell where they are on the pass.

Ride the C&S over Rocky Point: 2018 video

Imagine riding the Colorado & Southern Railway upgrade from Como, over the summit of Boreas Pass on the way to Breckenridge, Colorado.  Here I walked one of the few portions of the right-of-way that was not turned into an auto road.  This spot, between Como and the summit of the pass, was called Rocky Point.  It demonstrates the incredible beauty and inherent danger of narrow gauge railroading.  A short piece of restored track graces the spot.  I have heard that groups will occasionally ride a push car over this little stretch.  This was one of my first uses of a GoPro, so please forgive the rocking motion of the footage.

Audio is from: Sounds of Steam Locomotives No. 3: Colorado Narrow Gauge Stack Music. "Three Little Engines and 33 Cars."

Rocky Point photos

The DSP&P crossed the mountains from Como to Breckinridge on its way to Leadville via Boreas Pass.  Sometime after abandonment, the roadbed was converted to a dirt auto road.  At one spot, called Rocky Point, the auto road leaves the original train roadbed for a short stretch to avoid rock work used by the railroad since it was too narrow for two-way auto traffic.  At this spot, a short stretch of narrow gauge track was relaid on the protected, original right-of-way.  Below are the photos I took as my family explored this little gem. 

On an little pamphlet that I picked up many years ago it states: "Here a stretch of original railroad grade remains unaltered due to expensive rockwork required to widen it for auto travel.  (A few back-East rail passengers probably got a little green around the gills as those narrow gauge cars swayed around this sharp turn.)"