Enjoy a Round-Trip Cab ride while with me as well as seeing many of the other railroad pieces at the Campo facility as we head toward the Mexico border at Tunnel #4. In the first half I will show you a map of our location along the route as we travel backwards and then enjoy full screen view out the window as we head back toward the museum. I also included history of the Southern Pacific Diesel Engine about half way into the video. So, sit back and enjoy this ~30 minute video
It’s another great Colorado Railroad Museum Open Car day and yes RRAdventures was there!
While we waited for the volunteers to get the cars opened up we enjoyed the D&RGW #346 make a Run-By…
UP Diner No. 4801
D&RG Caboose No. 0578
AT&SF Observation Car Navajo
D&RGW Dielsel Engine A & B Unit Nos. 5771 & 5762
Union Pacific Coach No. 5442 was also open but since we also had the opportunity to tour it’s interior at a previous event ( 2013 – Colorado Railroad Museum – Open Car Day (MAR) ) we skipped it on this day.
Down in the basement, there was also a display going on called: Life on Colorado Rails
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Have to also stop by the Denver HO Model Railroad Club also here in the basement
We have not been to Buffalo Bill’s Grave for a long time so we also made a stop there while in town too…
We end this day with more Railfanning stops and to take in the wonderful nature views of the area
First stop is in Dolores, CO where we track down the old Rio Grande Southern Eatery as well as take a photo of the depot from another angle
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From there we head over Lizard Head Pass (10,222ft) and stop to photograph to RGS Logo peak
Here is also a photograph of Pilot Knob, Golden Horn, and Vermillion Peak from atop the pass
Onto Ridgway in hope to find the Railroad Museum open to check out the display inside – Yes, It’s open this time!
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A new arrival outside is also D&RGW #118 Business Car
We will also track down the D&RGW Ridgway Depot as well
Time to call it a day and head back to the hotel for the night…
As we start off our fifth day of our vacation I stop at a gas station in Monte Vista and I am shocked to see a train station where one should not be. See, the Monte Vista depot is gone yet it looks to be right there where it once was. Well, after some research, I had to laugh. See, in 1953 Bob Richardson and Carl Helfin built a replica of the Rio Grande Southern’s Mancos depot for the Narrow Gauge Museum & Motel south of Alamosa. That depot is also very similar to the one that was once here in Monte Vista. When Bob moved the Narrow Gauge Museum to Golden in 1958, the building remained at the Narrow Gauge Motel. Sometime later, it was moved to Cole Park in Alamosa and was used as their County Chamber of Commerce building. The city of Alamosa since decided to do an expansion of the municipal buildings at Cole Park and the depot building was in the way. SLRG purchased the building for use in Monte Vista. Here is a historic photo postcard of the original Monte Vista Depots (Freight & Passenger) along with the photo I took of depot that now stands here today.
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I will also get shots of RAMPART RANGE CORPORATION RRBX #2095
and of AMERICAN RAILCAR LEASING, INC. SHPX #203212 tankers
Next stop is Del Norte, CO where we track down the D&RGW Depot
Also here in town is Denver and Rio Grande Western Caboose #0580
As we head into South Fork for our next two historic structures we spot a Railfan opportunity and stop for a few photos. We find Santa Fe Passenger Car #36, a diesel engine labeled White Satin / Brighten with what looks to be NO-1, and a old Seaboard Coast Line Passenger Car now labeled PPCX #6401.
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Across from them is our first historic structure we were searching for; the South Fork D&RGW Water Tank.
Our other historic structure we had on our search list was the D&RGW Depot of South Fork, CO
Today this is also used as a tourist line but they are closed so we will make plans to return here someday. But, that didn’t stop me from taking a few photos include one of the Hy-Rail truck of the new D&RG Railway labeled the Wagon Wheel Gap Route ( South Fork / Creede )
Not a bad start to our day!
Lisa and I will take off on a nine-day vacation starting on June 1st; heading into southern Colorado. We will spend our first night in Woodland Park, CO; but, we will make several stops that day in the region.
Our first stop is in Green Mountain Falls where the Colorado Midland Railroad once operated. We have been trying to locate where the Depot once stood related to the tracks that passed by the lake. We had hoped the information office would be open but once again is was closed. In the below photo, the tracks would have been along this path and the depot we believe towards the far end.
From there we head to the Ute Pass History Park where one of the buildings is dedicated to the Colorado Midland Railroad. We got there too early but return to find the main building open but were told the RR building is only open one weekend a month during the summer and this wasn’t the weekend. Grr!!!!
The bulk of the day will be spent at the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. We will hike the main trail and see lots of great stuff and also get a break and find a section also open that is normally closed and get a nice history lesson of from a Ranger about the ongoing research being done at the dig site we got to go into.
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We will stop at the Pikes Peak Historical Society Museum we have often drove past to see what they might have to enjoy. Besides lots of great information from various aspects of this region including Rock / Mineral displays that Lisa very much enjoyed I would also find a photo from Green Mountain Falls that shows the train at what I believe is the depot. More research to be done to confirm but maybe the location is now found!
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In earlier trips we have also explored many of the old Mines open to the public in Victor around the Battle Mountain site but have yet to explore all the areas. On this stop we will check out the old Mill Site.
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As we travel this area we often pass by an old Midland Terminal Tunnel. I have gotten shots of one portal on previous stops but never got a shot of both; until this trip!!!
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Time to get to the Country Lodge for the night to get checked in and have some dinner
