Durango & Silverton Hosts the Polar Express 2011

The Polar Express, of book and movie fame, is coming to Durango for this Christmas season. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad put this video together promoting it. It's worth watching, even if you're a little cynical about how much fun a train full of kids can be.



For under 5 minutes, this is one of the best promotional spots I've seen in years. It's very true to the spirit of the book and I hope the same holds true of the ride. Highball, Polar Express!

POTD - Early Snowy Weather

This week will have three Photos of the Day, all themed towards snow, since snow has already fallen--and stuck!--on most of Colorado's mountains and plains last week. So, for all you snow hounds, dust off the skis and find your snow gear, because this week's for you.

If you are looking for a seasoned veteran, Chris Nuthall has been around Colorado's railroads for quite some time now, as evidenced by the following shot of Rio Grande SD40T-2 #5358 at Glenwood Springs with green leaves to the left and snow gracing the mountains above, definitely inconsistent weather that's consistent with Colorado! Incidentally, this was taken October 31, 1981, 30 years ago today! With such composition, I have to say she still looks great!

Photo: Chris Nuthall

If you like this one, you can always go back for seconds. 

UP 844 Tours Colorado, Fuels Positive Perceptions

As I write this, Union Pacific 844, the FEF-3 that never retired, sits at the top of the world ...well, the top of the Palmer Divide, anyway. It is as high in elevation that it will get along the entire goodwill tour, edging out Altamont, Wyoming by only 7 feet in elevation, according to UP elevation measurements.

Rio Grande 463 Scheduled to Return In 2012

The Monte Vista Journal did an article that serves as an update on Mudhen 463, under restoration in the San Luis Valley. The Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic have set March 31, 2012 as the completion date, despite the restoration requiring more work than anticipated, resulting in a $240,000 shortfall. Hopefully, next season sees the smallest and oldest of the surviving 2-8-2 Mikados back on the rails!

DUSPA: Public Invited to Interior Redesign Meeting Nov 3

The Denver Union Station Project Authority is hosting a meeting to hear presentations of two competing ideas for the interior re-development of Denver's Union Station. The press release follows below.

Colorado Springs' Depot Restaurant Closing Monday

2 photos: springsgov.com

The restaurant that preserved the D&RG depot in Colorado Springs, Colorado from the wrecking ball in the 1970s is closing tomorrow. The building that was built originally to suit arrival of small, narrow-gauge trains of travelers, transplants and tourists will have a new purpose as an events center, not unlike--at least on paper--Pueblo's Union Depot.

UP Goodwill Steam Tour Has Several Colorado Stops

Update: 
10/21/2011 2:55 PM - As promised, I have a full map of the stops in Colorado with arrival and departure times.

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Union Pacific has announced an extensive tour of the southwest US to participate in state-wide centennial celebrations for New Mexico and Arizona. Since Colorado is currently located between those two locations and Cheyenne, perpetual home of UP Steam, several stops have been scheduled in Colorado to give folks a chance to come out and see Union Pacific 844.

The Rio Grande's Tennessee Pass in 1984

In 1984, the Rio Grande was in its prime, and the video camera was just becoming semi-affordable. Primitive by today's digital standards, it stood head and shoulders above the movie cameras of the previous generations. Enjoy this blast from the past. I've added it to the Rio Grande Memories - Std Gauge playlist available on Colorado Railroads' YouTube channel (note: this is the corrected link to the active YouTube channel)

Train Shows In Denver and Along the Front Range

The aspen colors have nearly faded across the Rockies, and pro football is in full swing. The days are getting colder, and furnaces are beginning to fire up again. Indoor activities are just beginning to sound appealing. Model railroading looks like a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. What sounds good is a train show! That will get the creative juices flowing and give you a chance to learn from some seasoned modelers. Here's what's available....

Follow Up: 17 Year Old Severely Maimed In Near Fatal Stunt

Anna Beninati, the 17 year-old student who followed her friends in a near-fatal attempt to hop a freight train and fell beneath the wheels of the rolling train, suffering two severed legs, has survived and by all I can tell, she has begun rehabilitation in Utah, her home state.

Carving Up A Diesel Locomotive

I watch a lot of documentaries and non-fiction TV. Up until now, however, I'd never seen a show about scrapping locomotives. It's sad to see any locomotive cut up and parted out, but, if you have ever wondered about what's under the hood of those huge diesels, this video shows how the vultures--er, reclamation specialists carve up a KCS engine that has turned its last mile.

Play the video (in Shockwave player) above or watch the video at National Geographic

As Old As the Hills

I happened across an anecdote today that comes from the days of widespread passenger rail. It's a simple one that I've taken the liberty of re-telling here.

A gentleman boarded a train he'd never ridden before and was surprised to find that his first class ticket gave him access to the same car as second and third class passengers. What was more, the seats and other accommodations were all the same. He had heard about small railroads, but he couldn't figure out what he had bought with his ticket, at least until the train came to the first hill. The train came to a stop, and the conductor came into the car. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention. First-class passengers, please keep your seats. Second class passengers, please disembark the train and begin walking. Third class passengers, get out and push."

I hope that gave you a smile to round out the week. Have a good weekend, and happy train hunting!