Sunday, February 7, 2021

Como scores a 2-page article in Trains Mag!

The Colorado & Southern narrow gauge has not made numerous appearances in the annals of Trains

Magazine, the flagship railfan publication.  It has indeed happened here and there, but briefly or in small insets.  The last time I recall coverage was in 2017 when a number of small references came up related to Como and Klondike Kate, and the news that No. 40 was returning to the Georgetown Loop.  

However, in the February 2021 edition of Trains Como got a full two-page article in the "Preservation" section on the magazine.  


Most of the info is old territory to those who are familiar with the history and doings at Como.  There were a couple items, though, that were new to me. 

First, I was not aware that the roundhouse "smoke jacks were [originally] closer to the front elevation (instead of near the back wall and windows where they are currently).  This implies that locomotives were originally reversed in, instead of positioned head first, as practiced later.  The reason for the change and its resulting modification to the building is unclear."  Curiously, it appears Klondike Kate has been reversed in for the most part.

I was also not aware that "A much more in-depth project, a two axle bobber caboose frame, rests nearby atop several sawhorses.  Due to the frame's fragile condition, an exact reproduction has been built from heavy timbers."  If anyone has more info on this project, please let me know.

Finally, as a testimony to the hard work of all those at Como, it was encouraging to read the author Z.P. Liollio describe 1878 DSP&P boxcar 608 as "pristine."  For those who have seen photos of this car when it was moved from its location as a cabin, this positive designation is an honor to tremendous restoration work!


2 comments:

Kenneth Graczyk said...

I am sure that someone will say that I am wrong, but it seems like this question has come up before, backing into the roundhouse, and the answer was, to leave more room for access to the boiler, running gear, lube boxes . . . . .

Unknown said...

Kurt,

Having locomotives face the turntable was normal for most railroads early on (c.19th Century).
Later (c.20th Century) normal practice was changed to facing away from the turntable.
Como seems to have followed the trend.
I can only surmise that the earlier practice had to do with esthetics while the later practice was more practical for the reasons Kenneth has noted.

Tom