End of the Circus Train

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is closing.

The last line of a T.S. Eliot poem talks of the earth ending "...not with a bang but a whimper."¹ The Greatest Show on Earth, for all its pomp and bombast, its hype and fanfare, will end not with a glorious round the country farewell tour that would last for years. No, instead it will creak quietly to a halt later this month and fold its tents forever.

Visit Trains Magazine's excellent
coverage including a free national
map of Blue and Red's final miles

When a decision by their parent company came down late last year to end 146 years of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, there were dates already booked--including one in Colorado Springs--that were quickly and quietly scrubbed. Thus, one last chance to photograph the circus train, red or blue, is no more. If you want to see any circus move by train, you will have to travel east to one of the remaining dates in the next two weeks.

I remember seeing an incarnation of this same circus in 1977 with my mother and grandmother, watching the elephants and tigers and taking in all the sights and sounds. Had I known they had arrived by train and lived aboard it, I don't think my mother could have gotten me home!

And yet, when I ask myself, if I had such good memories, why didn't I take my own kids to see the circus, I'm confronted with some of the reasons the circus had fallen on hard times. After years of connecting with my kids through animals and educating them about wildlife, why was I uneasy about explaining an elephant's role in the circus? Somehow, the long, unrelenting push of animal rights activists had chased my family and me out of the circus tent.

That is the same reason behind the circus owners' decision. After bowing to relentless pressure from animal rights activists and retiring their elephants last year, ticket sales dropped as the owners anticipated. But they didn't just drop; they tanked, forcing Feld Entertainment to pull up stakes, leaving a lot of people with mixed feelings.

On the other hand, unmixed and plainly clear is my regret at not getting a last look at a unique American institution that is quietly dying along side its reason for existence. The Red and the Blue Trains, for all their aluminum-gray patchwork, were a rolling community, a total of 124 passenger cars traveling from one city to the next, more often than not at the mercy of a freight railroad to get there. Residents of this community had one foot in the 19th century circus and railroad traditions and the other foot in the 21st century technology, with satellite TV, DVRs and smart phones all as mobile as they are. Maybe a lot of things got mixed, especially toward the end.

But that's a circus for you.

I just wish a lot more of us got a chance to say goodbye before they left.⚒

And We're Back!

Sorry for that brief interruption to our site. If you landed at www.corailroads.com and didn't see the familiar banner and posts in the last week, it was because of an account snafu. Just like in railroading, not everything goes perfectly every time. Thanks for hanging in there with us!

PS: Go Rockies! Have a great home opener and make 2017 a great season!⚒

POTD - Snow Train

It may be just a few hours later and we find ourselves in nearly the exact same location as Tuesday's Photo of the Day. The snow is certainly deeper and this BNSF freight has slowed to a crawl. Even deeper snow has halted operations east of the Moffat Tunnel and the train will tie down at West Portal. The evening California Zephyr isn't due for several hours and track owner Union Pacific will need every one of them to clear out the mess ahead of it. The heavy snow makes such heroics seem unlikely.

Photo of the Day: Steve Brown
Click the photo to view a larger, unmarked version

It could be hours later, yet, except the train itself, everything about the location has changed because of daylight. No passengers wait on the platform this early in the day. The light is frustratingly even, obscuring even the important details, like where it is safe to step! So notes our photographer Steve Brown. Everywhere the light is even except inside the platform, which was the main source of light the night before. Yet the snow continues to fall in confetti-like flakes, freshly punctuating the photo with a festive mood. Let's cancel school and go watch some trains today!⚒

POTD - Winter Travel

The ritual of boarding a train from small town America is almost as old as the nation itself. In Fraser, Colorado, passengers wait in the shelter along the platform on a snowy evening in March 2003 to board the nightly Amtrak number 6, commonly known as the eastbound California Zephyr. Their next stop will be hours deeper into the night and 3,386 feet lower when they pull into Denver's Union Station before the thousand mile journey across the plains to Chicago.

Photo of the Day: Steve Brown
(click the photo to view a larger, unmarked original)

For all the difficulties it can cause photographers, nighttime still has a way of focusing the energy and taking away the distractions available in the daylight. Steve Brown makes excellent use of the ambient light to focus attention on the conductor at the head of the line of anxious passengers. A flash, a requisite for night photography in years past, would catch the thousands of flakes concealed in the darkness and throw the light back, ruining the moment. Instead, Mr. Brown lets the light on the wood interior of the platform carry a flavor of warmth to contrast with the icy cold of the drifted snow hampering even the basic task of boarding a train.⚒

First Advertisements Of the Colorado Railroad Museum

As near as I can figure, I think I have found the first ad ever placed with Trains magazine by the Colorado Railroad Museum, all the way back in June 1959! Robert W. Richardson and Cornelius W. Hauck were fans before the end of the Rio Grande Southern broke the thousand-mile Narrow Gauge Circle, and they kept lit the flame of Colorado's railroad history even before they opened the museum that year.

They first had a go of it years before near Alamosa, operating the Narrow Gauge Motel, complete with steam engine and station. Often using their own funds, they worked to preserve railroad history without much else. They fought tooth and nail for artifacts and records from railroads and operators who couldn't understand why old forms and paperwork wouldn't just as well be burned with yesterday's trash.

This ad followed the next year in 1960.
I'm pretty sure the offer has expired!

Thanks to the work of these "rabid" fans, the details and means by which a lot of these railroads operated hasn't been lost to time. Most importantly, their efforts to build a place for future generations of railfans sits nestled between the table mesas of Golden as a Colorado railfan's paradise. It's here in the western reaches of metropolitan Denver that some of the next generation of railfans discover the mystique of faraway places like Marshall Pass, Cerro Summit, Ridgway, Rico, Pandora, Dolores, Mears Junction, and so many more. These aren't just places on a map; they're gateways to a time when the clang of a bell and the wail of a whistle echoed beckoning the willing to follow where the rails would lead.

In July 1960, barely a year after the ad, Trains published Cornelius Hauck's photo of the museum's modest beginnings in Golden. Sharp eyes will spot several "original" pieces still at the museum 57 years later.
Photo used with permission from Trains magazine.

What I appreciate about Richardson, Hauck and many others is that they didn't wait for someone to give them permission or a commission to go out and save the narrow gauge. They saw a need, looked around and then stepped forward to help. Common men doing uncommon things. ⚒

POTD - The Little Train to Oblivion

Every once in a while, I'll find a railroad image that, for lack of a better phrase, stops me in my tracks. Today's POTD is one of those.

Photo of the Day: William Diehl

Photographer William Diehl has captured former Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge Mikado on her way west out of Antonito in the fading light of September 29, 2014. The diminutive steamer chuffs off into the distance with her load of freight and a caboose on the approach to Lava tank.

To fully appreciate this photo, click the photo (or this link) to view it full screen. I don't mean to exaggerate, but it appears flawless! I can practically smell the sage. Ok, that's a slight exaggeration. What isn't an exaggeration is the quality of the photo and the sense of a small train in a big, wide-open country! The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is known for their high alpine trestles and views of Toltec Gorge, but even the broad open country it passes through as it climbs from the San Luis Valley floor can be a beauty all its own!

Thanks to William Diehl of Big Diehl Photography for sharing his work with us! Let's hope we will see more of his work in the near future.⚒

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Runs Special Santa Trains To Support Toys For Tots, Charities

As someone who started his family when he was young, I can empathize easily with parents who find themselves in a real bind during Christmastime each year. I deeply love each of my children, and when you know they would want a specific toy or even just a type of toy that's out of reach financially, it tears at your heart to know you can't deliver. Mindful of this, my wife and I try to support Toys for Tots and other like-minded charities like Angel Tree.

Would this be a 2-2-0 in Whyte notation?

Yet, we are just one family. Therefore, I was grateful to hear that the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad put together a drive for Toys For Tots this year! Anyone donating an unwrapped toy received a ticket to ride a special train put together for Christmas by the C&TS. Here are the finer details from a C&TS press release:

The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad conducted a holiday fundraising effort during the weekends of December 10 and 11, 2016 in Antonito, Colorado and December 17 and 18, 2016 in Chama, New Mexico, to help Toys for Tots and area Food Banks provide for families in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. Free Santa Trains were offered for the cost of an unwrapped toy or a packaged or canned food item.

2 Photos: Roger Hogan, courtesy C&TS

The ridership in Antonito was 1,744 and the ridership in Chama was 1,492 for a total of 3,236. There were 956 toys collected by the Volunteer Fire Department in Chama and 2,891 pounds of food. Both weekends were attended by eager kids, excited parents and proud grandparents. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus greeted the crowds and heard many sincere requests for toys from the happy children.

The Antonito Toys for Tots effort sponsored by the U.S. Marines, collected 875 toys, 182 stocking stuffers and 13 books. The food collection numbers sponsored by the food band in Antonito came to approximately 3,000 pounds. Nimble elves dressed in green and red with jingly hats bounced around the entire train serving Christmas cookies and hot chocolate to the throngs of people who came to these two towns to celebrate the season and support the worthy charity causes.

Being able to contribute when we can now that we're older gives me a very rewarding feeling that lasts a lot longer than the Christmas season. Of course, it's not just about gifts. It's about a baby who was born to die, a gift prepared by hands unseen to meet an impossible price. Like I tell my kids all the time, Jesus loves you. He wants a real friendship with you. He is just waiting for you to say "Hi."⚒

Caboose Hobbies To Re-open In Lakewood

Caboose Hobbies, in whatever form the store survives, is set to re-open on Alameda Avenue in Lakewood just south of the Federal Center this month. The Denverite has more.

When the store closed at its original location on 500 S Broadway on September 11, 2016, it was the end of an era. The largest model train store in the world closed on the 20th anniversary of the Union Pacific - Southern Pacific merger on September 11, 1996.

While Denver Billionaire Philip Anschutz had purchased the Rio Grande in 1984, he had Rio Grande Industries purchase the Southern Pacific Transportation Company in 1988 and the two companies functioned as separate divisions of the same railroad. As a result, it was easy for me to imagine nothing had really changed. Unfortunately, the day everything changed was the merger of the Union Pacific. For me, that was the day the Rio Grande, Denver's home railroad finally died.

So it's a little more sad than before. On the other hand, it would feel even worse if Caboose Hobbies had closed forever. Now she has a fighting chance. When they open, drop by 10800 W. Alameda Ave, Lakewood, Colorado if you are in town! They should be are not (yet) open. If you are out of the metro area, visit www.caboosehobbies.com! They should have gift certificates for sale!⚒

POTD - Autumn Aspens Aflame Over La Veta Pass

The cooler weather of last week calls to mind that autumn is approaching and with it, the fall colors returning to the high country. Now, aspens aflame may seem synonymous with a number of Colorado's railroads, but for some reason, I don't readily recall the San Luis & Rio Grande, or as it's known to most folks, the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad as a primary venue for autumn viewing.

Could this soon change? The RGSR is booking tickets for its Fall Colors Explorer. Their first class tickets are still available for $130 aboard a standard gauge, diesel service departing Alamosa and Fort Garland for La Veta Pass. While not the typical steam trip, it looks like those willing to part with the tidy sum will enjoy food, wine, and a memorable experience on board to go with their photos.

Photo of the Day: Michael F. Allen

Michael F. Allen took the above frame at La Veta Pass of SLRG 18 hauling a photo freight westward in the midst of some dazzling and brilliant aspen. While the framing and timing of the photo is just right, the tall, open gons and the tall, standard gauge engine make it stand out from so many narrow gauge steamers. The green jacket to the boiler looks sharp and defined, giving contrast to the the former LS&I 18. Had it been the standard black, it just wouldn't pop like it does. Truly worthy of Photo of the Day!⚒

Denver's B Line Opens, Gold Line Still Testing In August

Denver's RTD is phasing in the changes as FasTracks projects continue to roll in relatively on time for their completion dates. As announced, the A line to DIA opened in April. In July, the B Line--known during construction as the Northwest line--is in full operation in time for students and worker bees to travel from Broomfield to Denver Union Station 6.2 miles and 11 minutes away. Denverites and visitors can now ride the rails from Westminster and Broomfield to Santa Fe and Mineral (with a single change to light rail), and they are not done yet!

First, Boulder and Longmont will eventually be stops of the same B line, ergo B is for Boulder, not just Broomfield. There is a slight problem with funding. Barring a new effort, the extension will not be built until 2030 or even later. Yeesh.

Next, the Gold line is in testing mode with a planned opening this fall. Contributing photographer John Hill submitted a photo taken by Georgia Buechler on August 4th showing a test train stopped on the Union Pacific flyover that carries the commuter rail over the Moffat Route and California Zephyr.

The lines are quietly queuing and coming along nicely:

Commuter Rail

• A line - completed, renamed
• B line - see above
• G line - see above
• North line work beginning, to complete in 2018

Light Rail

• C/D line extension - not started
• E/F line extension - not started
• L line - central's north end extension, not started
• R line - construction winding down, testing to begin
• W line - completed 2013

And all of it by: Electricity, eeee-lec-tri-ci-ty...⚒

Caboose Hobbies To Close September 25

It's official. Sadly, Duane Miller, the owner of Caboose Hobbies, is retiring. The unfortunate reality means that Caboose Hobbies will close, effective September 25, 2016.

The Denver Post published a thoughtful article with 11 photos about the impending closure, citing an aging hobby and the impact on retailers like "the world's largest model train store." There is a tendency for those in the hobby to resist investing in new skills and today's society in general seems to reward participation in sports and activities, which are not typically home-based, the typical location for a model layout. Then there is the limitation of the obvious problem with building model railroad layouts--that once it's complete, builders are forced to find new space or clear out entire sections to keep their interest focused. The idea, I thought, was to finish, but the joy seems to be in the journey.

On the other hand, the adaptation of model railroading to this lifestyle is the modular layout, where clubs like the Pikes Peak "N"gineers and the Colorado Rail Link construct table-top sections that fit together in a large room or exhibit hall, which are a significant draw for Train Shows.

The most important aspect of CH's demise was summed up very concisely by Tracy M. Cook in the article:

Building model trains is not as popular of a hobby as it once was. The 3D art form is time-consuming — and expensive — requiring a commitment on both fronts.

It seems that so very few of us have a balance of both commodities, time and money! Entire industries are born offering others more of one for a modest investment in the opposite (or more likely, a combination of both). We all have at least one of these. It's called a job. The sad part is that so many of us put off that layout because time, money or space just aren't the right amount. Tomorrow is never today, and we always think "sometime soon..." seldom realizing that we are really saying "No" or at least, "Not right now."

Whatever the excuse, time just ran out for the biggest retail modeler in the world, and all the money we have probably won't bring it back.⚒

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.⚒