JAMIE'S RANDOM AMERICAN RAILWAY PHOTOS.

[PaulRhB]

Didn’t know they’d restored that  

They have a website too http://www.southparkrail.com

[jamie92208]

Good afternoon from Yorkshire where I'm now isolating following a positive test. Fortunately the tardis is still in Como CO on the 16th August 2005. I was now going to start on the shortest day of my ride, 23.8 miles but most of that was to be on the D SP & P right of way over Boreas Pass at 11,500'.  The first three miles on a normal road were a bit rough but then I turned onto the old grade and up the 1 in 25. It was a lot easier than I expected and I wasn't even on bottom cog and managed a steady 6mph. cyclists will understand the term Granny Ring, which was in use. Como was at 9.860' and in 40 minutes I was at David Outlook at 10,374' 4.57 miles along the way with a fabulous view over the Park. sadly no sign of Kenny.

The surface was good smooth but not deep gravel.

There was even Aspen in evidence.

20 minutes later I stopped at  Rocky Point where a bit of track has been reconstructed . a 2000' drop into the valley, quite spectacular.  The modern road goes over the rock on a steep detour so I went round on the trackbed.

This is the view looking back. What a spectacular route it must have been for the trains.

This is the view across the valley and towards the summit.

By 10.30 , 8.8 miles in I was near the tree line and at Windy Point got a good clear view of the summit. Over 11,000' up.

The reconstructed bunk house at the summit can be seen.

 

So far so good.

 

Jamie

Edited April 13, 2022 by jamie92208

[jamie92208]

Good afternoon from Stalag Luft Bywater as my incarceration continues, fortunately the symptoms are in retreat.   The Tardis is now well on the way up Boreas Pass at about 11.000' on the 16th August 2005. As I climbed, with frequent drinks and rests the views back down t0 South Park were brilliant. I wonder whether the hard worked loco crews appreciated them.

The local Rotary club have put up replica mileposts and the locals obviously appreciate targets to shoot at.

Finally I got to the summit at 10.55  1hr 36 actual riding time.  I was quite impressed.  the summit is 11,481'. The locoshed and truntable are long gone since the railroad departed in 1938.  I did get a friendly forest ranger to take my photo, which is now my Avatar but this is where it was taken.  In the ruins of the old shed/roundhouse a short length of track had been laid and this C & S freight car had been placed.

The Freight car has now been trucked down to Como for full restoration to run on the restored track.   However the Forestry service have restored the old enginemen's bunkhouse and I believe that it serves a a hostel for hikers along the continental divide which crosses here. The mountains either side are over 14,000'.

After a rest I set off down towards Breckenridge which as it's on the north side of the pass gets lots of snow and has become a fashionable ski resort instead of a run down mining town.   Anyway I set off downhill and for some obscure reason started singing Jerusalem, which no doubt confused the locals as three elderly ladies roundly abused me for having the temerity to ride a bike on the road they were driving an SUV on. I gave as good as I got which obviously confused them even more.  The only example of road abuse I encountered. Anyway 20 minutes after setting off down I came across the restored Bakers tank which looks rather nice at 10,800'.

A rather nice board gave some details.

A similar tank is now being constructed from scratch at Como.

 

More tomorrow.

 

Jamie

Edited April 14, 2022 by jamie92208

[caradoc]

3 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

Good afternoon from Stalag Luft Bywater as my incarceration continues, fortunately the symptoms are in retreat.   The Tardis is now well on the way up Boreas Pass at about 11.000' on the 16th August 2005. As I climbed, with frequent drinks and rests the views back down t0 South Park were brilliant. I wonder whether the hard worked loco crews appreciated them.

The local Rotary club have put up replica mileposts and the locals obviously appreciate targets to shoot at.

Finally I got to the summit at 10.55  1hr 36 actual riding time.  I was quite impressed.  the summit is 11,481'. The locoshed and truntable are long gone since the railroad departed in 1938.  I did get a friendly forest ranger to take my photo, which is now my Avatar but this is where it was taken.  In the ruins of the old shed/roundhouse a short length of track had been laid and this C & S freight car had been placed.

The Freight car has now been trucked down to Como for full restoration to run on the restored track.   However the Forestry service have restored the old enginemen's bunkhouse and I believe that it serves a a hostel for hikers along the continental divide which crosses here. The mountains either side are over 14,000'.

After a rest I set off down towards Breckenridge which as it's on the north side of the pass gets lots of snow and has become a fashionable ski resort instead of a run down mining town.   Anyway I set off downhill and for some obscure reason started singing Jerusalem, which no doubt confused the locals as three elderly ladies roundly abused me for having the temerity to ride a bike on the road they were driving an SUV on. I gave as good as I got which obviously confused them even more.  The only example of road abuse I encountered. Anyway 20 minutes after setting off down I came across the restored Bakers tank which looks rather nice at 10,800'.

A rather nice board gave some details.

A similar tank is now being constructed from scratch at Como.

 

More tomorrow.

 

Jamie

 

Hopefully the sign on the new tank will have 'gauge' spelt correctly..... The sign at Bakers Tank deserves to be shot at !

 

[Northroader]

I realise now why that picture of you with bike and boxcar has been picked for your avatar, it must have been the high point of your American journey (see what I did there)

[jamie92208]

11 hours ago, Northroader said:

I realise now why that picture of you with bike and boxcar has been picked for your avatar, it must have been the high point of your American journey (see what I did there)

I thought that I'd spare you all the sight of my knobbly knees again, I was posting before the watershed.

 

I might just show the full photo tomorrow.

 

Jamie

Edited August 19, 2021 by jamie92208

[The Lurker]

but that would be knobbly knees after you'd fallen off the bike...

 

 

[PaulRhB]

Glad to hear the symptoms are receding already  

 

[jamie92208]

Good afternoon from a rather wet Yorkshire.  It also looked as if it was going to rain in Colorado on 16th August 2005. Viewers of a nervous disposition were warned.  Here's the picture of me and the bike at the summit of Boreas. A photo not possible now as the boxcar has moved and there's a stone and a half more of me.

 

Anyway, after Baker Tank the right of way continued to wind downhill. I was now back below the treeline.

One cutting through dark coloured rock has been renamed in recent years to avoid the n word.

Anyway it started to rain and I was still at or near the 10,000' line so sheltered under the trees for half an hour before taking the bull by the horns and heading as fast as I dared down into Breckenridge. The road was tarmacced by then but I was till quite cold and wet when I arrived at the Fireside Inn.  There to my surprise I was welcomed by a retired SAS Colonel and after getting a shower was installed in their warm kitchen with coffee and cake and excellent chat.  After that I walked into town and discovered this sight at the bottom of Boreas Pass Road. A Colorado and Southern Loco.

Also a boxcar 

And a rotary.

All displayed rather nicely.

All in all a good day.   The shortest ride, only 23.8 miles but most satisfying and spectacular. 

 

Jamie 

 

Edited April 14, 2022 by jamie92208

[PaulRhB]

Although similar It didn’t look like a genuine C&S loco so I looked it up and it went to be restored to working order shortly after you saw it according to this,

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?5,1234636
 

 Now in service at the Georgetown Loop R.R.

https://www.georgetownlooprr.com/trains-events/

 

It’s making a fascinating read both on the thread and beyond! Thanks Jamie  

Edited August 19, 2021 by PaulRhB

[PhilJ W]

6 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

Good afternoon from a rather wet Yorkshire.  It also looked as if it was going to rain in Colorado on 16th August 2005. Viewers of a nervous disposition were warned.  Here's the picture of me and the bike at the summit of Boreas. A photo not possible now as the boxcar has moved and there's a stone and a half more of me.

Anyway, after Baker Tank the right of way continued to wind downhill. I was now back below the treeline.

One cutting through dark coloured rock has been renamed in recent years to avoid the n word.

Anyway it started to rain and I was still at or near the 10,000' line so sheltered under the trees for half an hour before taking the bull by the horns and heading as fast as I dared down into Breckenridge. The road was tarmacced by then but I was till quite cold and wet when I arrived at the Fireside Inn.  There to my surprise I was welcomed by a retired SAS Colonel and after getting a shower was installed in their warm kitchen with coffee and cake and excellent chat.  After that I walked into town and discovered this sight at the bottom of Boreas Pass Road. A Colorado and Southern Loco.

Also a boxcar 

And a rotary.

All displayed rather nicely.

All in all a good day.   The shortest ride, only 23.8 miles but most satisfying and spectacular. 

 

Jamie 

 

Glad that the first photo was cropped.

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from Yorkshire.  The Lurgi came back and bit me last night but seems to be calming down now.  However the Tardis is still in Breckenridge CO on the 17th August 2005. I set off and followed the cyclepath that used to be the South Park line to Leadville. It ran near to the back gardens of some houses at some points.   I suddenly saw a large black bear plus cub through the trees.  After initial panic I realised that they were life size metal cutouts pointed black. 

Then onto the point where the South Pass line headed up towards Climax and Leadville.  I toyed with the idea of heading that way, then over Tennessee pass but discretion got the better of valour so I turned right and headed up Vail Pass. Four miles later I was over my 3rd 10,000 footer in 3 days. This is taken from the summit.

Then against the wnd down to the upmarket ski resort of Vail. Back onto the hard shoulder of I70 this time.

After a quick stop at Vail, onwards to Dowd Junctions where the mothballed Tennessee pass line came into view.

Turn left and soon I was at my B & B in Minturn, former loco shed town for the helpers for the pass. Lots of derelict looking tracks.

And looking back towards Dowd Junction.

Jamie

Edited April 14, 2022 by jamie92208

[Dr Gerbil-Fritters]

Gosh, Minturn looks wrecked....

 

The recent scheme to reopen the Tennessee Pass has just failed.  Shame, but at least its still intact for the next attempt.  Such a charismatic road, the DRGW.

[jamie92208]

1 minute ago, Dr Gerbil-Fritters said:

Gosh, Minturn looks wrecked....

 

The recent scheme to reopen the Tennessee Pass has just failed.  Shame, but at least its still intact for the next attempt.  Such a charismatic road, the DRGW.

Though the rails were rusty the signals were still lit in 2005. It would be great to see it reopen..

 

Jamie

 

 

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a rather damp and dreary Yorkshire.  The Tardis is still in Colorado and it's the 17th August/  One last shot of the yard at Minturn and the reamins of the Y.

And this was the view from the verndah at my B & B with the Tennessee Pass line across the river.

Anyway the next morning he 18th I set of for my last major ride down to Glenwood Springs.  After waiting 10 minutes for some rain to clear I set off along the valley of the Eagle River. 27 miles and only an hour and a half later came across some form of railway activity in the form of a UP road railer. This was in the town of Eagle.

From then onwards much of the line was occupied by strings of stored coal hoppers.

Then down to Dotsero junction, the start of the Dotsero cut off that runs up to the Craig/Moffatt tunnel line at Orestod aka Bond.  In the distance under the storage sign can be seen a longs cut of light engine heading downgrade towards Grand Junction. I think that there were about 10 of them altogether.

A short time later the Colorado river came in sight and the start of Glenwood Canyon

An easy ride so far.  All gently downhill and now with trains in sight.

 

Jamie

Edited April 14, 2022 by jamie92208

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from Yorkshire, a tad brighter this morning.  However the Tardis is till in Colorado on the 18th August 2005.  I got to the trailhead at the top of the canyon and found a minibus load of mainly overweight americans unloading and being put on to Mountain Bikes for a ride down the canyon.  I did suggest to one of them that being brought up by minibus was cheating but he had a sense of humour failure. Anyway I set off but stopped fairly soon at Bair Ranch, where a works train was sitting. 2190 was doing the honours.

 

The train included a Burro crane on it's flat car.

Whilst taking the photos the group of intrepid cyclists passed me.  Shortly afterwards I passed them but then stopped to take photos of a loaded coal train headed by 5631 with 8149 behind it.

Someway down the train came 6423, 7029 and 8030, 5642 was on the rear.

I passed the group again and also watched rafters, doing the trip that we'd done in 1999.  After passing thrpugh No Name I eventually arrived at Glenwood Springs at 13.00.  The clerk did let me check in early so I walked over to the station to see the westbound Zephyr arriving behind 159 and 170, 1 hour late.

at 15.08 a westbound set of coal empties arrived behind 8271 and 6271. 

Jamie

 

Edited April 14, 2022 by jamie92208

[F-UnitMad]

7 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

I got to the trailhead at the top of the canyon and found a minibus load of mainly overweight americans unloading and being put on to Mountain Bikes for a ride down the canyon.  I did suggest to one of them that being brought up by minibus was cheating but he had a sense of humour failure.

Gave the main post a "like", but that bit deserves both "funny" & "applaud" buttons!!

[jamie92208]

On 22/08/2021 at 19:51, F-UnitMad said:

Gave the main post a "like", but that bit deserves both "funny" & "applaud" buttons!!

I'm afraid I can't resist a gentle dig now and again especially as a sense of irony is usually missing. I particularly liked it coming round the town of Eagle where three roundabouts are on the main road.  I sailed through at well over 20 mph as the views were good and by the tome I got t the third one had overtaken at least 3 cars, whose drivers appeared completely confused.   Anyway it's still 18th August and the coal empties had this patched unit as the 2nd loco.

Then at 15.25 Amtrak No 5 appeared only 4.5 hours late.

It departed failry quickly and had some of the Amtrak owned reeefer cars on the tail. A brave experiment to raise extra revenue that got stamped on by the freight railroads.

1On it's tail was this manifest.

Several more trains were watched and a good meal was had as well as a good session in the bar, teaching the bar maid about how to serve single malts. I was also following  test match score and my companions could not compute day 2 of a 5 day game.

 

Anyway next morning I headed out of town and found the yard with a plough around and an eastbound coal train waiting to depart.

I also found this sign that reminded me of home.  Albeit it referred to the fabled Colorado Midland that ran out of money not far east of here.

 

Jamie

Edited April 14, 2022 by jamie92208

[Ian Smeeton]

Cracking trip account and photos, 

 

I am very glad that you posted it twice!

 

Regards

 

Ian

[jamie92208]

1 hour ago, Ian Smeeton said:

Cracking trip account and photos, 

 

I am very glad that you posted it twice!

 

Regards

 

Ian

Thanks Ian.  I did have problems with the post. Duplicate now removed.

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

Good moaning , just from a rather grey Yorkshire.   Fortunately it was a bit better in Colorado on the 19th August 2005.  I checked my bike at the depot and watched the local track inspector drive down the canyon then drive off the track onto the platform then park up and go for lunch.   

I spent a bit of time watching trains and grabbed a bite to eat.  A couple of freights, including the daily BNSF run through freight went past and then the Zephyr arrived. 2 hours late. As I was only heading to Denver I was loaded in the rear and this was the train as we headed slowly up the Canyon. Slow running was in force due to the temperature.

We headed up the Canyon then turned left at Dotsero, up to Bond before going into more Canyon's.  By 17.47 we were at Granby where there was a long stop and we got later and later. More tail traffic in Amtrak reefers.

We finally got through Moffatt tunnel by 7pm and then started the long drop down to Denver.  At one point you can allegedly see 4 states.   This was the best I could do.

I missed dinner as long distance passengers got the first two sittings.  We eventually got to Denver by 21.00 and I managed to get something to eat and got checked into my hotel.   The next day I pedalled down to the bus station, put my bike on the front of the bus and entrusted myself to the tender mercies of American Airlines.   They did eventually get me to Chicago so I took my long suffering steed down the stairs to the Blue line and rode the subway into town.

Not a lot of time to do anything else that night so the next day, 20th August it was off to la Salle Street where Metra 207 was waiting to head my train south on the old Rock Island line I believe.

 

As we pulled out this old lift bridge was sighted.  I believe that it's art of the St Charles Air Line that provides a rail route through the town centre.

Jamie

 

Edited April 14, 2022 by jamie92208

[Johann Marsbar]

1 hour ago, jamie92208 said:

 

 

As we pulled out this old lift bridge was sighted.  I believe that it's art of the St Charles Air Line that provides a rail route through the town centre.

Jamie

 

 

Looks like the pair on the left of this photo (taken from a Subway train back in 2013)......

 

 

The position would be right for heading out of La Salle Street.

[Johann Marsbar]

Actually, the curve coming in on the left of your photo is the one branching left in this photo....

 

[jamie92208]

3 hours ago, Johann Marsbar said:

Actually, the curve coming in on the left of your photo is the one branching left in this photo....

 

I seem to remember that one part of the Air Line that belongs to CN is still working but can't take double stacks. Coal trains were using it when I was there. An engineer was telling me that the new mayor, young Mr Daley wanted to demolish the whole thing and build apartments.

 

The name Daley and coruption rings many bells for my generation.

 

Jamie

[Northroader]

I think the big drawbridges in the Chicago pictures are the ones that belonged to the B&O Chicago Terminal RR:

This line had the trackage serving connections in Chicago to the Grand Central Station, used by the B&O, SOO, CGW, and the Pere Marquette. The property is marked in red on the map, with the drawbridges over the Chicago River soon after leaving Grand Central, practically at the left centre of the map.

Edited August 24, 2021 by Northroader