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 1978 editions.
1978
July
(High altitude car testing on Leadville-Climax branch)
August
(Club to Walk the Argentine Central and Ride the Loop)
ROCKY MOUNTAIN RAILROAD CLUB DAY AT THE GEORGETOWN LOOP HISTORIC MINING AREA - Whether you wish to use your feet or your seat, Saturday, August 26 will be THE day to visit the Georgetown Loop Historic Mining Area, when the club will hike a portion of the Argentine Central Railroad bed and ride the rails of the Georgetown, Breckenridge and Leadville Railway.
We have made special arrangements for an all-day unlimited ride ticket on the GB&L. A full freight consist will be used, with the train departing Silver Plume on the hour from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., and on the half-hour from the platform at the lower end of track. If all goes well, there will be steam powered double heading on several of the afternoon runs, with photo runs on the 4:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M. trips. Your $5.00 ticket (regular one- ride fare is $3.50) or $2.50 child's ticket (ages 5-15 inclusive) will provide the holder with unlimited rides throughout the day. The railroad is now 2 ½ miles long, and has been extended almost to the abutment of the high bridge. The train does stop to let off and pick up passengers who desire to tour the Lebanon Mine, which just opened this year. $1.00 tickets for this tour may be obtained at the railroad's ticket offices or at the mine.
The other portion of the day's activities will consist of a hike from Silver Plume over the old roadbed of the Argentine Central Railway. When the railroad was constructed, the Argentine Central was the highest adhesion railroad in the U.S., climbing 16 miles to the top of Mt. McClellan (over 13,000 feet) on 6 percent grades and numerous switchbacks. Built in 1905 for freight and tourist service, the line gained national fame but never the¬ less, survived only until 1918. Our walk will leave Silver Plume, about 1/3 mile west of the Silver Plume depot on the south side of 1-70, at 9:00 A.M. Leading the group, will be Dan Abbott, Argentine Central enthusiast and author of the book STAIRWAY TO THE STARS. The hike is about a four-mile round trip over a roadbed that is in remarkably good condition, with no cross¬ country up-hill type hiking involved. Although the railroad has been gone for almost 60 years, an occasional spike or trace of a tie can still be found, several interesting mine loading structures still stand, and stone walls and a "terraced" 15-foot-high stone retaining wall in excellent condition can be seen.
Good walking shoes are recommended, of course, and a pair of binoculars might even come in handy on this leisurely hike. It will take about two hours to reach Pavilion Point, our destination high above Georgetown. There, hot foot and cold drinks will await our arrival as Ranniger's Roadbed Commissary will be in full operation next to the old stone chimney, and the last remnant of the Pavilion that was once situated there. After hearing and observing the train operating in the valley, one-thousand feet below, and engaging Jim's delectable Ballast burgers and accompaniments, everyone will then head back down grade for an afternoon of riding the GB&L. A charge of $3.00 per person for the hike will provide for a handout and map of the Argentine Central, as well as the hot lunch. We ask that you order your tickets in advance, or pick them up at the August meeting, so Ranniger's Roadbed Commissary can plan ahead and that we will have ample handouts. Railroad tickets ($5.00 adult, $2.50 child 5-15) need not be ordered in advance, but should be purchased at Silver Plume depot on August 26. Just mention that you would like a ticket for the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club Day.
We think this should be a real fun time, so come on up and take the walk, ride the train, or both. Bring the whole family. Friends and guests are welcome, of course. Any questions, call Darrell Arndt at 321-2723, till 11:00 P.M.
September
(Argentine Hike review and doubleheaders on the Loop)
GREAT WEATHER greeted the participants of the club's Argentine Central hike out of Silver Plume on August 26th. Led by Dan Abbott, the group negotiated some 2 1/2 miles of grades and switchbacks to reach Pavilion Point, where Ranniger's Roadbed Commissary was ready and waiting to do business. Plenty ofJ im's tasty Ballast burgers, home-cooked beans, chips, cookies and lemonade were provided to eliminate the hunger pains. Whether sitting under the trees, or out on the point where one could look down the valley on Silver Plume and the Georgetown Loop 1,000 feet below, the old stop on the railroad provided a very scenic spot to enjoy lunch. Upon return to Silver Plume, many took the opportunity for a ride on the Georgetown, Breckenridge and Leadville Railway, or several rides with the unlimited ride ticket. Doubleheading was done on a number of runs, with a photo run on the 5:00 P.M. trip. Don Smith and members of his German Band provided music on the train, much to the delight of the passengers. We would like to thank all those whose efforts and contributions made the day so enjoyable, especially Dan Abbott, Ranniger's Roadbed Commissary, Lindsey Ashby and his crews, Roy Altenbach, Centennial Publications, and Don Smith and friends!
October
(Dick Kindig shares slides of the C&S Clear Creek Line)
It was no surprise that Dick Kindig came through with a very interesting program of slides. We saw the Southern Pacific's famous narrow gauge operation in California, then the West Side Lumber Company while it was in operation. Of particular interest to those of us who never saw it intact were scenes of the C&S line in Clear Creek Canyon. Views included the Forks and at the High Bridge on the Georgetown Loop. Dismantling shots of the narrow gauge line were also shown. Rio Grande Southern selections included Lizard Head Pass, trestles and activity at the Ridgeway depot. The San Juan was quite a passenger run, and views of it along its route were well received. We certainly do thank Dick for sharing some of his photographic encounters with us. He provided memories for some, and an education for others who had not experienced first hand, a segment of the West's more colorful period of railroading.
November
(Mill Gulch Bridge in Platte Canyon Removed)
THIS WAS THE SCENE in the Platte Canyon this summer, when crews began to dismantle the Mill Gulch Bridge (or as it is now often referred to, the Keystone Bridge).
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| Mill Gulch Bridge in the process of removal. Photos from Rocky Mtn. Rail Report Nov. 1978 |
The Denver Water Department is in the process of widening the narrow gauge roadbed farther into the canyon, to permit access by heavy construction equipment, so the bridge had to be replaced. The large girders at the top were used to support the structure as it was carefully taken apart. They were then lowered onto the abutments to become the main supports for the new bridge. The old bridge is now in storage, and is to be given to the Forest Service, who has indicated it will be used near the Keystone Ski Area. The 10-mile long Platte Canyon was the only major canyon in the foothills near Denver, that had been available for hiking, biking, fishing, etc., with no competition from the automobile. It was closed to all public access this summer, and it may be years before it is open again. This bridge was a highlight on the club's Platte Canyon Bunion Pounder walk/ride trip last year.
(ed. Mill Gulch Bridge today)
(Calls to paint coach on display with C&S 74 in Boulder)
AFTER MANY YEARS of contending with the elements, the narrow gauge display in Boulder's Central Park is sorely in need of some attention in the way of paint. This year, the city decided to have the locomotive No. 30 painted, but the coach and caboose were left untouched. So the Boulder Historical Society has taken it upon itself to try and get the coach painted before bad weather sets in. It is in need of assistance, however, in the form of either time or money. Mike Rowe is the coordinator on the project, and will set up a work day in November, and would appreciate hearing from anyone who could spare just a little time on a yet-to-be-determined Saturday or Sunday to help get the job done.
When a date is set, he will then notify those interested. Paint will be provided, of course, and plans are to return the coach to a Pullman green color. Mike can be reached during the day, at the Boulder Historical Society, 449-3464, or at home in the evenings at 442-2164. The more who can help, the quicker it will go on this worthwhile project.
December
(Shay No. 8 comes to the Georgetown Loop)
COLORADO AND THE GEORGETOWN, BRECKENRIDGE & LEADVILLE RAILWAY gained another steam locomotive recently, with the arrival of ex-West Side Lumber Company's 3-foot gauge Shay Locomotive No. 8 at Silver Plume on October 12. The locomotive was trucked all the way from Banks, Oregon, and presented some challenging problems during the move, Parts had to be removed to get it down to a truck-able load, and it took several weeks to make the journey (and a truck with 11 axles and 66 tires!!). It is hoped to have it operational on the Georgetown Loop by the middle of next summer.
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| Shay 8 on display in 2004 - Nathan D. Hale photo |
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