Caboose Hobbies Future Clouded By Landlord Sale

8/21/16 Update: Caboose Hobbies will close, effective September 25, 2016.

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The changes of the last decade in Denver have been significant, to say the least. Denver Union Station went from Amtrak mausoleum, to a gutted hulk, to a thriving hub of light rail and a direct connection with Denver International Airport. T-Rex completely overhauled Denver's old Valley Highway. FasTracks has nearly finished thrusting new arteries of light rail and commuter rail throughout the metroplex with revitalized neighborhoods growing and thriving again. Burnham closing and coal loads continuing to drop have shifted rail traffic and cost more than a few jobs. Looking back, it seems few things have remained unchanged.

Photo: Caboose Hobbies

Of those few things, Caboose Hobbies, Guinness-certified as the world's largest model train store, is certainly one of the most treasured by Colorado's railfan community. As a kid, I would beg to go down to Caboose Hobbies because I knew that I could find anything I wanted or needed for my layout. It was difficult to keep money in my hands if I was anywhere near 500 S. Broadway. It was just too easy to find something that I had to buy.

Caboose Hobbies has been in Denver since 1938 under the same family operation for 78 years. It gradually expanded to occupy several buildings joined together by common walls and ramps. The store has around 60 employees, some with enough experience in modeling to leave in awe all but the most seasoned model railroader. Caboose Hobbies is one of the few remaining bastions of the experienced salesperson, where expertise, knowledge and expansive selection all come together to become the model railroader's best friend.

Unfortunately, the future for the store is uncertain. Their current landlord is selling the building. While this may indeed mean that Caboose Hobbies is moving, it may not require their relocation. It probably all depends on the buyer.

So, got a friend with a few million to throw into Denver real estate?

Until more is known, Caboose Hobbies is selling a lot of their stock in an across the board sale because money is easier to carry and harder to damage. What's online is what's in the store, so if you want to make sure you get what you want, order now!



In 2015, YouTube reviewer jlwii2000 took an 11-minute stroll through the store (above). He doesn't rest his lens on anything for very long, which is why it is only 11 minutes. I couldn't get through the store in under 30 minutes unless my car was on fire in the parking lot.⚒

New Rio Grande Standard Gauge Steam Video From Greg Scholl

A new video of contemporary steam on the historic Rio Grande Railroad is not that hard to find any year, mostly because of the fine work by so many companies to document the daily operations of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge and the local preservation societies like the Durango Railroad Historical Society and their work with D&RGW 315.

In comparison, finding a standard gauge Rio Grande steam video is rare enough to pay attention to, even if big steam isn't always your thing. Only one standard gauge locomotive survived the scrapper's torch, and it's sitting in the museum in Golden. In other words, any big steam Rio Grande footage is vintage and something worth preserving.



While I have not yet previewed the actual video from Greg Scholl Video Productions, the trailer above looks promising! HT: DRGW.org's Green Light newsletter ⚒

Rock Slide Briefly Closes the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic, Service Resumes Next Day

Some trouble on July 4th kept the morning run from Antonito, CO from reaching Osier that noon for the traditional lunch stop, but that's life in the Rockies, it would seem. A rock slide occurred near Rock Tunnel, one of only two tunnels ever made for the narrow gauge Denver & Rio Grande Western.

As you can see, this is the west side of Rock Tunnel by the top of the Garfield Monument in the left center background. Photo CATS RR

From the west looking back towards the tunnel mouth. Even though there's only 3 feet between the rails, that doesn't make the rocks any less massive or difficult to move! Photo: CATS RR

Obviously, this was not just a bit of granite that they could just kick aside! Extra effort by work crews made sure that the slide would not interfere with the next pair of trains the following day, and the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic let everyone know that they are back in full operation with its press release below.

ANTONITO, CO   JULY 5, 2016    All routes on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSR) are once again open as of the morning of July 5, 2016, following a rock slide that temporarily closed the railroad between Antonito and Osier Station on July 4.   “We apologize to all riders who were not able to enjoy the complete line on July 4, but these things happen when you run the most authentic steam railroad in the nation,” said John Bush, C&TSR president.

 Jointly owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico, the Cumbres & Toltec is the highest and longest steam railroad in North America, running 64 miles from Antonito, CO to Chama, NM, crossing state borders 11 times. The rock slide which sent several large boulders down on to the tracks occurred sometime before 10 a.m. on July 4, 2016 near Rock Tunnel.  The slide prevented the train departing from Antonito to make it to the Osier Station for lunch.  That train was able to turn around at Toltec siding and return back to the Antonito Depot.  The train departing from Chama was able to get through to Osier for lunch, and passengers were then returned to Chama.  No one was injured in the incident and crews were able to work throughout the day to clear the huge boulders from the tracks.  All trains and routes were in full operation as of 9:15 a.m. on July 5, 2016.
 The C&TSR was built in 1880 and climbs to Cumbres Pass at 10,005 feet elevation and chugs through Toltec Gorge, 800 feet above the river below.   “When you offer Rocky Mountain scenery such as we do, sometimes Mother Nature plays a role.  We apologize to any passengers who were disappointed with shortened runs on July 4^th,” Bush said.

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad runs America's longest narrow gauge passenger trains over 64 miles of well-maintained--and usually rock-free--rails that pierce two tunnels and crest the summit of 10,022 foot Cumbres Pass.

Tickets are still available for runs over the high country the rest of the season of 2016 by visiting their site or by calling 1-888-CUMBRES / 888-286-2737.⚒