Jefferson Depot in 2015

The Jefferson depot has long stood firmly through the storms of the South Park and time for over 100
years.  When my wife and I visited it in 2004, it housed an ice cream shop.

I recently came across this article in The Flume from 2011.

"Jefferson Depot Sold: Changed hands three times in less than four months."

The Jefferson Depot, the distinctive blue building that has housed Maverick Realty on the west side of U.S. 285 in Jefferson, has changed hands three times in less than four months, with the last sale occurring just before Thanksgiving to John Lee of Omaha, Neb.

Lee told The Flume in a Dec. 7 interview that he will continue the restoration of the building, and he will be back in Jefferson in mid-May and open the Hungry Moose Caboose and the ice cream shop then.

Does anyone know what the present status is of this depot?  According to Southparkheritage.org The Hungry Moose Caboose is described this way:

"Coming down Kenosha Pass through ranching country, this bright red caboose will grab your attention as you enter Jefferson, Colorado. Travelers have been raving about their favorite lunches- Depot Dog, Train Wreck burger, pulled pork sandwiches, and milk shakes- for years. The Caboose is open seasonally so be sure to call ahead if you are planning a trip in the winter months."

This article shows a photo of the caboose-shaped building as it resides next to the Jefferson Depot.  

Finally, I found the depot listed on a Real Estate site as "for sale."  It is hard to tell whether it is a current or old listing.

The listing reads:

Situated in its original site, this beautiful narrow-gauge historic railrod depot was built in 1879. This

property has multiple uses and tons of potential. Zoned multi-use (residential/commercial) Original wood floors and wooden sliding baggage doors. Currently used as a lucrative real estate office and also an ice cream parlour. Loads of character. Very busy highway frontage which catches all the traffic from Denver only an hour away. Perfect location for real estate office, restaurant, retail: many possibilities. Also on the property is a restaurant which does phenomenal business in the summer. It is a "coney-island" style take-away setup with grill, deep fryer, counterspace, shelves, fridge, electrical outlets, lights, fan, sheds. Adjoining property is a home on 1.5 acres which would also be available for sale (owner will make a good deal if both properties are purchased together)...walk to work in your bathrobe!!! Get away from the rat race!!!

So, I'm not sure how current any of this info is.  Does anyone out there know the current status of the Jefferson Depot?

Here are a few other photos I found online: 

Updates to the Alpine Tunnel area

I just stumbled upon a site managed by a group called IAWC: Interpretive Association of Western Colorado.  Their site has some new photos of updated interpretive signs and displays on the western slope of Alpine Pass.

I was most impressed by this photo below showing a reconstruction of the interior of the tunnel.

I can't quite tell where this is located.  It appears to be on the grade between the Alpine Tunnel station and the west portal.

They also have many new interpretive signs along the route.

They also have pictures showing Tunnel Gulch tank in a much better condition than I last found it.

Finally, I'm not sure what this last pictures is showing.  It looks like the tunnel structure mid-construction, yet the setting appears different from the completed one.  Maybe it was built in pieces elsewhere, moved to another site, and assembled.  Not sure.  On the other hand, it has three vertical beams, while the complete one in the first photo on this post only has two.

Enjoy these improvements to a place many of us love so much!

C&S 1008, a Traveling Mystery

I think it is still a mystery how C&S caboose 1008 ended up so far away.  it was discovered in a farm field in California if I recall.

I did find a bit of info on what happened to the little bobber after the standard gauging of the Leadville to Climax line.  Here is what someone working on the caboose said on Railway Preservation News:

"We are starting to restore long lost C&S caboose 1008. She was scrapped in the 1940's in Leadville, CO and all metal parts were removed and the wooden body used as a shed."

How it then got all the way to California and in a field I have yet to hear.  I love railroad mysteries!

Anybody have any info?