1977 C&S news (2) - Platte Canon exploration, Mason-Bogie presentation, new purpose for South Park bridge

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 1977 editions.   

1977

September

(The Club explores C&S remains in Platte Canyon)

GREAT WEATHER AND the relatively unspoiled beauty of the Platte Canyon, combined to provide for an enjoyable day of exploring the remains of the Denver South Park & Pacific roadbed between Waterton, South Platte and Pine, during the Club's Platte Canyon Bunion Pounder of August 6. 

from article about its rededication

While a number of folks saw the canyon from the trucks, others boarded the bus for a ride around to South Platte. On the way, various points of interest were seen, and stops were made at the Westall Monument near Dome Rock, and at Buffalo Creek, where a perusal of Green's General Store was like stepping into a time machine. After provisions and post cards were obtained, the party continued up the picturesque valley to South Platte, where the photogenic South Platte Hotel still stands at the mouth of the canyon. 

Some remnants of the railroad were still evident 35 years after abandonment - an occasional spike, a telegraph pole, a rock wall, the bridges. Also, traveling the canyon but in a more adventurous manner, were several kayakers. One of them provided a few breathtaking moments for himself and those watching, as he flipped over and had a tough time coming up again in the swirling waters. 

A rest and lunch stop at Strontia Springs was not as elaborate as it could have been, were the resort still there, but the foliage of the side canyon provided a retreat from the sun. With the trucks furnishing an alternate mode of travel for those with tiring feet, the group continued on past the Mill Gulch bridge to Intake, where everyone took advantage of a ride the remaining distance to Waterton, for a mid-afternoon arrival. A visit to the control room and underground facilities at the dam provided an additional treat for those who desired to navigate what seemed like a thousand steps to the bottom of the structure. Everyone enjoyed themselves on this outing, and a word of thanks is extended to the Denver Water Department for their cooperation. 

October
(Presentation on Mason-Bogies)

At the September meeting, our knowledge and appreciation of one of the "work-horse" locomotives of the DSP&P, the Mason-Bogie, was greatly enhanced by an interesting and truly informative illustrated talk by Art Wallace. Art, a long time club member, and an almost life-long researcher of the Mason locomotives, provided some background information about the development of the steam locomotive in general, and how William Mason added locomotive building to his textile machinery manufacturing business to become the Mason Locomotive Works of Taunton, Massachusetts. We saw how, in the latter half of the 1800s and into the beginning of the 20th century, how Mr. Mason's creations became known for their pleasing designs and fine engineering, and how they figured into the "steam scene" chapter of the history of locomotive building. Our thanks to Art for such a good program. 

November
(Old South Park bridge to be repurposed for pedestrians near Denver Mile High Stadium)

THE HISTORIC MILL GULCH BRIDGE, or as it is now referred to, the Keystone Bridge, (it was built by the company of the same name) will have a new resting place near downtown Denver if all goes as planned. The Denver Water Board has offered to dismantle and move the old DSP&P bridge from the canyon, and reassemble it across the South Platte River near Denver's Mile High Stadium.

A permanent bridge is needed at the location to provide fans attending events at the stadium, a way in which to cross the river from certain parking areas. The Water Board has to replace the bridge in the canyon with a stronger one (which will use the same abutments) to allow movement of heavy construction equipment. It was the intention of the Board to disassemble the bridge anyway, and store it until a worthy recipient could be found. So it will now be preserved and used, although not in quite as picturesque a setting. 

Author's 2022 photo in Bailey

(Ed. This plan never came to be.  Instead, the bridge was put to use in Bailey, Colorado at the Helen McGraw Tatum memorial park.  You can see an article about my 2022 visit to the bridge here.)

Bert Renck Alpine Tunnel eating house ticket

 Here is a meal ticket for the Alpine Tunnel eating house made out to Bert (Herbert) Renck on April 22nd, 1909 from the Denver Public Library digital collection.

The description reads, "View of a meal ticket for the Alpine Tunnel Eating House reads: "L.H. Waters and Wife, Prop., Issued to H.D. Renck, 4/22/09." The edge of the ticket has monetary increments partially punched out as payment for meals."  It was submitted by Bob Richardson in 1951.

Bert Renck, South Park fireman, shares his adventures at Alpine Tunnel

Bert Renck, born in Missouri, started railroad work on the Santa Fe in 1906.  In 1909 he went to Como, Colorado to work for the Colorado & Southern narrow gauge on "The South Park Line."  He fired on many parts of the line including the Fish Special between Denver and Grant, the Boreas Pass route from Como to Leadville, and the Gunnison Division which included running over Altman Pass through the Alpine Tunnel.  Famously, he was involved in a wreck outside of the east portal of the Alpine Tunnel (Covered in this part of my video).  

Later in life he would join with the likes of George Champion (another C&S employee who worked on the Alpine Tunnel route), Mac Poor, Dow Helmers, and Francis Trudgeon to meet up at the west portal for Alpine Tunnel Days and help with stabilization and reminiscing.  

I came upon his story when I bought a magazine on Ebay entitled Old West, Winter 1976 edition.  The article was titled "The South Park Narrow Gauge: a treacherous stretch of rails that you could slide on a while before you jumped the track and hurtled down the mountain" by Bert Renck submitted by Hank Givens.  

This is an audio of that article that I narrated.  I put images and video to match up with his story, though, of course, the time frame of the photos doesn't match up in many cases.  

Part 1 can be found here. 

I hope you enjoy another edition of C&S Tales with part 2 of Bert Renck's story!

Kurt