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.