Showing posts with label Sherrod Loop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sherrod Loop. Show all posts

Monday, June 2, 2025

5 Sections of Relaid C&S Track: Alpine Tunnel Area

Here is a look at 5 places you can find C&S rails relaid on the original roadbed between the West Portal of Alpine Tunnel and Sherrod Loop. Since service ceased in 1910 and the rails pulled in 1923-1924, a few spots of relaid rails have sprung up. There are five:

5. The turntable lead. After the engine house fire a turntable was constructed on top of the tailings removed from the tunnel's construction. It is just outside of the west portal cut. The turntable ring and a segment of track leading to it has been relaid.

4. Engine house lead No. 1. A short curved section of track that once led off the mainline to the east entrance of the engine house is again intact.

3. The mainline and passing siding. A nice long tangent of the mainline again passes in front of the station/telegraph office. An old harp-style switch stand also mans the switch leading to the old passing siding that parallels the mainline.

2. Engine house lead No. 2. Another curved piece of track was relaid past the restored tool shed and just into the western entrance of the engine house ruins near the remains of the indoor water tank.

1. Sherrod Loop/Curve. A tangent of track was relaid at the beginning (eastbound) of what was the big balloon loop that allowed the railroad to reverse itself in gaining altitude on its climb to the west portal.

Enjoy a look at all five below.



Saturday, March 9, 2024

Visit Sherrod Loop today - video

 Sherrod Loop was the reverse curve that helped the South Park Line climb up to the over-11,000-foot-high Alpine Tunnel. Eastbound, the curve was the gateway to the more famous spots on the line including the Palisades, Split Rock, numerous other rock walls, and the Alpine Tunnel enginehouse. This video highlights the route from Woodstock to Sherrod as it exists today.

Sherrod Loop is at the far right. Alpine Tunnel is reached via top track alignment at left.



Historical sign at Sherrod

Relaid track (presumably laid by the Forest Service). View: eastbound

View: eastbound

View: westbound

View: westbound

View: westbound

View: eastbound, past relaid track

View: eastbound

A short bit upgrade, eastbound, is this telling sign