Fall Colors Approaching Their Peak In Southern Colorado

It's September, and that means the fall aspen colors are making their annual appearance in the high country. Usually they are in evidence the first week after Labor Day in the north of the state to as late as the first or second week of October in the far south near New Mexico. I say usually because there is no sure fire way to predict how the aspens will change. Sometimes they peak in color quickly, in what seems like a few days. Other times, the peak is more than a week in some areas. By peak, I mean that the traces of green in the leaves are almost totally gone but all or nearly all of the leaves are still on the trees. Some years, there isn't a peak, and that's depressing!

Crash on Pikes Peak Tangles Operations Over Cog Wheel Route Friday

A helicopter crashed on Pikes Peak on early Friday morning, with all four aboard injured but alive. The debris field closed the Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway, also known as the Cog Wheel Route, along with the toll road running from Cascade to the summit. The four passengers were treated and released from the hospital in nearby Colorado Springs. The railway still operated trains on a shortened route and restored service to the summit house today. The toll road is also re-opened.

You Forgot Your What!?

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad recently completed Railfest 2010, and the fans have some pretty unique souvenirs for their money. I found this picture while browsing their Railfest photo gallery. I've seen worse, but I think most folks would agree that when a person is giving a whistle demonstration at said Railfest, it's important--nay, crucial that they bring adequate ear protection. Regardless, the show, or the demonstration, must go on.

Trains Magazine Features Colorado's Distributed Power

I got my October issue of Trains on Saturday. Did you?

Trains Sept 2010

The September 2010 issue of Trains Magazine features diesel engines using distributed power in Colorado. The cover  boasts, "Ultimate Motive Power, 6 Locomotives [under] 1 Engineer, How distributed power changed the way railroads run big trains." The main article by David Lustig features a double page spread of the Moffat Route through Little Gore Canyon to start the article, another from the Front Range sub north of Palmer Lake, and yet another from the west of Denver above the Big Ten Curve west of Clay, Colorado, which is also where the cover was shot (see at left).

Tiny Town Railroad Derailment

Seldom does a tourist railroad lead the nightly newscast for something other than a major disaster, a miniature railroad doubly so. Wednesday, August 11th, a morning train making it's trip around the 15-inch gauge Tiny Town railroad was northbound along the roadway through South Turkey Creek Canyon toward the northern end of the park with 30 passengers aboard. Heading into a curve, the train derailed, spilling the 2-6-0 live steam engine #10 and ending with five of the six cars on the ground. The last car was a caboose loaded with children.

New Cumbres TV Spot Released to Air

The Cumbres & Toltec has a new TV spot that just made it on their YouTube channel.   Docent and long-time C&TS supporter, Rich Muth introduces himeself and invites everyone out for a trip. Did he say something about discounted rates?




Visit www.cumbrestoltec.com for information and tickets.

UP 844 Cheyenne Frontier Days Train west of Cheyenne at 540pm

It's not even Monday and I already have good video of UP's 844 on the front of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Special that ran this weekend. Watch for the Wyoming state capitol in the background.



Way to go, Skip Weythman! Thanks for some great footage! I also liked the pacing shot.

By the way folks, the CFD special means that the height of summer is upon us. Have you gotten out to your favorite spot yet?

Tunnel Motor Spared For Colorado Railroad Museum

The yard at Denver's Burnham shops have seen more than a few engines these days as Union Pacific held an auction of more than 50 units on July 14, 2010. Earlier in the month,  a request came in from the Colorado Railroad Museum. Would it be possible, they asked, for UP to donate unit UP 9871?  Within hours, UP said yes!

Photos of UP 844 In Milliken

Kimm Wierema, who lives with a family of railfans, managed to capture some really nice photos of UP 844 on its visit to Milliken, Colorado. The last-purchased, never-retired steam locomotive of the Union Pacific was on hand on June 26th to help the City of Milliken celebrate its centennial this year.

The Great Train Expo

November 6 & 7, 2010 - Denver 
The Great Train Expo returns to Denver's National Western Complex at 4655 Humboldt Street on November 6th & 7th, 2010, for their fall show. This is a large event that pulls in exhibitors and hobby shops from several states around the Rocky Mountain region. Model railroad clubs will be there with their modular layouts. The doors will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Admission for adults is $7 at the door with kids under 12 free with an adult. .

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Pictures from January's show in Colorado Springs

Grand Junction Regional Swap Meet

September 11, 2010 - Grand Junction 

This September, the Western Slope has a swap meet scheduled for September 11th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church at 5th Street and White Avenue in downtown Grand Junction. Free parking is on east side of c the church. Amission $2 for adults, children under 12 admitted free. Tables cost $5, second table $4 and three tables for $12. Set up starts at 8 am. Interested parties call Robert at (970) 254-8606. 

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Lionel Collectors Club of America Convention Show Open To Public

July 31, 2010 - Denver

The Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) returns to Denver this year with it's national convention at the end of this month. While most of the events are open only to members, they do make their private train show open to the public on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Adults $5 each  Under 18 free with paying adult. The convention and the show are held at the Denver Marriott Tech Center.  

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