After having purchased land in 2000, the group surveyed the route that would run on their 40 acres. Three years later they began grading and by 2010 were laying track, even using hopper cars to drop ballast. They presently have 4,330 feet of track in two divisions, called the Northern and Southern Divisions.
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| Ballast hoppers |
The private railroad welcomes all railfans to come and ride or even bring their own 7 1/2 inch gauge locomotives to run, providing an unloading pad and a turntable 20 feet in length at waist level to enable turning.
In much the same way that the C&S had to figure out ways to avoid starting fires from their locos, most famously with Ridgeway Spark Arrestors, this DSP&P only allows propane steamers because of the "extreme fire danger" of the South Park area.
While perusing their site and videos, I noticed most equipment was not DSP&P themed. However, the two exceptions include what they refer to as The South Park Mogul, a red painted 2-6-0 built to represent a high-drivered standard gauge steamer, but with its tender lettered "D.S.P.&P.R.R.". The other exceptions are the ballast hoppers that are also red and DSP&P lettered.
On the other hand, their route uses South Park names throughout including: Como, Selkirk, Boreas Pass, Windy Point, Midway, and Peabodys Siding.
Below is a video of The South Park Mogul, with a quick shot of an incredibly accurate C&S 70 live steamer (though I don't think this video is at the DSP&PRR) and another video showing their ballast cars.
Finally, here is a video of another DSP&P locomotive on the line.
Below is their track plan:
The last news update on the site is from July 2017, so I don't know of anything more current, though there is a "Contact" section with an email.
1 comment:
I've visited the DSP&P this past August as a side trip during Boreas Pass RR Days. The owner and host likes sharing his RR with fellow hobbyists and railfans alike. Unlike most live steam clubs or private tracks, this one is completely off the grid. While walking the line, you really got a sense of just how desolate South Park and the Rockies really are. I couldn't help but get a sense of what traveling by NG over the Rockies must have been like back in the late 1800s...that high, lonesome feeling.
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