Rio Grande Southern Motor 3, the third Galloping Goose, will not be in attendance at Goosefest this weekend at the Colorado Railroad Museum. The third Goose would have completed the first-ever gathering of all RGS Gooses, a full gaggle, as it were. Unfortunately, the museum was informed by Goose 3's current owner, Knott's Berry Farm out in California, that they would not be coming on June 8, only a week before they were supposed to arrive.
Since 1867 & 2006
Monday, June 11, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
RTD Photo Contest For Denver Union Station Light Rail Plaza
Friday is the deadline for RTD's DUS light rail station photo contest. For those who haven't heard about this contest, the details are below in an RTD press release.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
POTD - Coal Glides Down the Divide
Mike Yuhas is a well-traveled photographer whose site is chock-full of great photos, primarily from the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. Trains magazine has been running a number of his entries for their Photo of the Day. Considering the skies in evidence, Trains picked a well-lit morning shot of BNSF 9226, an EMD SD70-ACe bringing a load of coal south down Gen. William Palmer's Divide into the Arkansas River drainage.
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| Photo: Mike Yuhas |
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Tickets For Goosefest Includes VIP Offer
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| photo by Matt Isaaks |
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Video: Yesterday's Magic Rails To ... um, Yesterday
As the mercury slowly climbs out of winter and into our spring (hopefully), cabin fever has again sprung many images and ideas formerly locked in the human heart. Old tools and "new"Christmas gifts that have sat for some months find themselves wanted again by their owners. Whether you find yourself a veteran of the state's grand(e) scenery or a newly minted greenhorn, the Colorado high country is calling!
One reliable aspect of the Rocky Mountains is that they change very little in 50 years. For a prime example, look no further than below. If this featurette was made in our time, the travel to the Rockies would appear much different. Yet Durango and her sister city of Silverton would merely appear with newer automobiles and vivid color scenery, and maybe a few less period actors and staged gunfights.
Entire video link or skip to the good (Rio Grande) part
Films like the one above would appear before a movie--instead of gobs and gobs of previews--to entertain viewers and promote companies, concepts, and opportunities like travel by rail and tourism in remote western towns. The impact of such films on the subject, in conjunction with fictional movies using the local scenery likely can't be overstated, yet likely can't be calculated either beyond the common anecdotal evidence. Or, in plain english: this film contributed in a large way to preserving Colorado's steam tourism, but we'll never know how much.
Only 10 years later however, a trip completely by rail to Silverton would become impossible with both the abandonment of the WP portion of the California Zephyr and the abandonment of the Rio Grande narrow gauge from Antonito to Durango. Don't let those ideas die unless you have to! Next year, something or someone might not be there.
PS: Can't get enough old film? Check out The Royal Gorge.
One reliable aspect of the Rocky Mountains is that they change very little in 50 years. For a prime example, look no further than below. If this featurette was made in our time, the travel to the Rockies would appear much different. Yet Durango and her sister city of Silverton would merely appear with newer automobiles and vivid color scenery, and maybe a few less period actors and staged gunfights.
Entire video link or skip to the good (Rio Grande) part
Films like the one above would appear before a movie--instead of gobs and gobs of previews--to entertain viewers and promote companies, concepts, and opportunities like travel by rail and tourism in remote western towns. The impact of such films on the subject, in conjunction with fictional movies using the local scenery likely can't be overstated, yet likely can't be calculated either beyond the common anecdotal evidence. Or, in plain english: this film contributed in a large way to preserving Colorado's steam tourism, but we'll never know how much.
Only 10 years later however, a trip completely by rail to Silverton would become impossible with both the abandonment of the WP portion of the California Zephyr and the abandonment of the Rio Grande narrow gauge from Antonito to Durango. Don't let those ideas die unless you have to! Next year, something or someone might not be there.
PS: Can't get enough old film? Check out The Royal Gorge.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Goosefest 2012: Rio Grande Southern Galloping Goose Full Reunion
Major Event
Having the seven Galloping Geese [sic] together and operating is an event of both National and International significance to the railfan community. People from around the world have contacted the Museum and are planning to “flock” to this once-in-a-lifetime reunion!
POTD - East Portal In a Dome
Today's Photo of the Day is awarded to James Griffin of www.actionroad.net. Few images seem to strike me as the many shots passengers have taken from their seats in the Vista Dome as they are about to plunge into the long darkness of Moffat Tunnel. The beauty of the mountains are all around as I approach the bend in the valley where the tunnel plunges into the heart of the Continental Divide, and I can't help myself! I want to catch the tunnel edifice, the grand gateway to the western slope of the state and the nation. My eyes are riveted to the giant letters
It is a significant expression of the California Zephyr's unique place in history. Without the Moffat Tunnel, there would have been no California Zephyr. Without the Zephyr, Denver and the Rocky Mountain West would never have opened up to so many young eyes.. It's also historic, as the only remaining passenger service on the route has got rid of the domes it inherited before they ever thought of the marketing slogan telling potential riders to view "America at See Level."
MOFFAT
TUNNEL
and the dates 1923 and 1927, signifying the years the tunnel was started and completed. Click goes the shutter and the next moment the world is swallowed up in darkness. |
| Accomplished author and photographer James Griffin snapped this photo on November 7, 1981, aboard the Rio Grande Zephyr just before entering the Moffat Tunnel. Photo: James Griffin |
It is a significant expression of the California Zephyr's unique place in history. Without the Moffat Tunnel, there would have been no California Zephyr. Without the Zephyr, Denver and the Rocky Mountain West would never have opened up to so many young eyes.. It's also historic, as the only remaining passenger service on the route has got rid of the domes it inherited before they ever thought of the marketing slogan telling potential riders to view "America at See Level."
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
POTD: A Red Nosed San Francisco Zephyr
Last Friday marked the 63rd anniversary of the start of the California Zephyr, the fabled stainless steel streamliner operated by the Chicago Burlington & Quincy, Denver & Rio Grande Western, and Western Pacific. The theme for the next few Photos of the Day will reflect on the Silver Lady and her "children."
Veteran photographer Gary Morris captured what turned out to be a bit of history 35 years ago this month on March 10, 1977. Only a few miles east of Denver on Burlington Northern tracks, the westbound Amtrak from Chicago to San Francisco rolls toward the Mile High City under the name "San Francisco Zephyr," Amtrak's woefully inadequate replacement for the California Zephyr (and the City of San Francisco of the Union Pacific). Note the lack of dome equipment as on the old CZ.
Veteran photographer Gary Morris captured what turned out to be a bit of history 35 years ago this month on March 10, 1977. Only a few miles east of Denver on Burlington Northern tracks, the westbound Amtrak from Chicago to San Francisco rolls toward the Mile High City under the name "San Francisco Zephyr," Amtrak's woefully inadequate replacement for the California Zephyr (and the City of San Francisco of the Union Pacific). Note the lack of dome equipment as on the old CZ.
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| Photo: Gary Morris |
Thursday, March 15, 2012
POTD - An experiment with good results
Sometimes a photographer takes a leap of faith with his audience and tries something new. Kevin Morgan, no stranger to CR's POTD, took such a leap with this shot. Kevin confesses, "This was one of those unplanned shots that just kind of happens sometimes!"
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| A UP coal load descends the Moffat Route toward Arvada Colorado, passing through Tunnel One, (left of center) before rounding the curve over Colorado 72 and through Blue Mtn. crossing on March 4, 2012. Photo: Kevin Morgan |
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
POTD - In the sticks for a winter special
Kevin Madore, whose photo of the E&P #4 was our POTD yesterday returns for a double today with a photo from earlier in 2011. Rockwood is becoming a popular haven for photographers of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in all seasons, not just summer. A quick hop down the rails got Mr. Madore this fine photo of what he calls "the chocolate plume from D&RGW 478." Couldn't have said it better.
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| Former D&RGW K-28 #478 rolls through the brush near Rockwood, Colorado on its way home to Durango with a winter steam charter on February 21, 2011. Photo: Kevin Madore |
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
An Amtrak Newbie Falls In Love With the Rockies on the CZ
A Washington DC writer travels the Capitol Limited and California Zephyr to Nevada and San Francisco. Her trip was, in my own experience, a typical, positive one. The story is captivating and enjoyable reading.
Tip o' the Hat: Robert Brewster
Tip o' the Hat: Robert Brewster
POTD - Is it real, or is it a painting?
Kevin Madore of Massachusetts caught the Eureka & Palisade engine #4, the Eureka, on the bridge leaving Silverton one bright August afternoon during the D&S railfest last year. The photo is so ideal, it could pass for an oil-on-canvas original. It doesn't get much better!
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| Extra No 4 crosses the Rio de las Animas on its way out of Silverton for the return trip to Durango with her diminutive train and a beautiful white crown of steam on August 20, 2011 Photo: Kevin Madore |
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