Palisde Damage viewed via Drone

I was looking for an update on the damage done to the Palisades during the previous winter and stumbled upon the following video.  It shows someone with a drone camera that gets amazing overhead shots of the western slope leading up to Alpine Tunnel and then has stunning drone shots of the damage to the Palisades.




The creator of the video "Silver Plume General Store" writes: "Short video of the sights and scenery going up the tunnel road, and the damage resulting from a winter slide. The road is currently barricaded to all motorized traffic at Sherrod Loop. We hope the Forest Service will push to restore this awesome piece of history."

Alpine Tunnel 1952

Here is another video with old footage from the Alpine Tunnel.  This time it is from 1952.  The description (below) says it was shot at the west portal, but the video, I am pretty sure, begins at the east portal.   Even the shots of the father and son walking could be near Atlantic, though I suppose they could be from the west side near the palisades.  It's hard to tell.  You can still see lots of ties in place.




Here is the description by the person who posted the video on Youtube:

"This is a short clip from the Summer of 1952 of the West side of the Alpine Tunnel (Colorado). Now it is the Historic Alpine tunnel. In 1952 it was just the Alpine tunnel. Note that many ties are still in place even though the rails are long gone. The first frame in the clip shows the top of the tunnel opening. This movie was taken 42 years after the last train went through the tunnel. The mountain was already in the process of reclaiming itself as shown by the damage caused by falling rock. Today, both ends of the tunnel are blocked by rock slides. Mother nature always has her way in the end. 

Freeze the first two frames in the movie to see the top of the tunnel opening West end in 1952, 

There is a video of the inside of the tunnel from 1992 that is very interesting that shows the the tunnel explorers going in at this point I don't think anyone has been in there since 1992 as it is now sealed from both ends. Restoration would be a huge undertaking however so far, no one has come forward to fund such a project."

Alpine Tunnel 1965

I recently found some old video footage of the Alpine Tunnel.  The first is from 1965.  You can see Tunnel Gulch water tank in a precarious leaning state.  You will also see the rails still in place beneath the snowsheds at the west portal.



Here is the description by the person who uploaded the video:

"Art Burrill, Dave Burrill and Lloyd Lemons explore the west portal of the Alpine Tunnel, summer of 1965. Gunnison County, Colorado."

Tracks on Kenosha 2013

Found this random bit of video of the relaid track on Kenosha Pass.

Georgetown Loop Then and Now

I'm always impressed with the photographic and editing work of Then and Now Images of Colorado and the West.  Recently, I found one video/photo that had one set of then and now photos of the Georgetown Loop high bridge from inside the loop.  It appears at 1:48 remaining.

There are a number of non-C&S railroad related then and now photos as well, including Canon City depot, Colorado Springs D&RG depot, Rollins Pass, a trestle across Arkansas River and Texas Creek, and Denver Union Station.  Also of interest to some C&S fans are some shots of the Silver Plume hotel.

Original paint of caboose 1006 discovered

The Colorado and Southern Railway Society continues their fantastic work in Silver Plume restoring caboose 1006.  They recently discovered a piece of wood in the car with the original paint color.  Their plan is to replicate that color when repainting the old bobber.

Work is estimated to cost $1500 to restore the cupola.  They have already raised 70% of the money.  If you're interested in helping the restoration process, they suggest contacting them via the Colorado and Southern Railway Society Facebook page for details on how to go about it.

C&S 60 gets a bath and coach 70 gets some wax

The Colorado and Southern Railway Society, in addition to its work on caboose 1006, also continues to work with engine 60 and coach 70 in Idaho Springs.

In May, coach 70's floor was waxed and a great deal of cleaning and polishing went on.

 Unfortunately, vandalism continues to be a challenge as a window of the coach was broken recently as well.

In June, engine 60 and her tender got a pressure wash.

The society plans to install newly replicated cab doors soon.  

They also hope to assess the consolidation and her coach for the potential of "being returned to serviceable condition."