2019 Scenic Colorado and Its Trains

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"2019 Scenic Colorado and Its Trains."

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DAY 1

                                                                                                                                                      Photo and information from the Portland Tribune

 Our Leader on this tour was Scott Hurd. What you may not know is Scott spent 36 years with Amtrak Retiring as Portland's Union Station Station Agent, his son, Sheridan Hurd, (shown above with Scott) will carry on the family tradition by working as an Amtrak conductor, But the family’s history of railroad work actually began with Scott’s maternal grandfather, Claude Rooks, who worked for the Great Northern Railway in Montana for 50 years. His son-in-law, Scott’s father Jim Hurd, pursued the same career by working 36 years for Southern Pacific Railroad.

                                                                                                                               Stock Photo

Soon you were on your way West. Leaving Chicago behind 

and after a few stops, we would arrive 

in Grand Junction,CO.

One of those stops would be Princeton Illinois, Myself, Jim Buzard and my wife Judy would join the tour along with CB Bohley and his wife Janet, also at Princeton  

we were joined by Warren Hultman and his wife Penny.

Once on Board we met the Kaufmans, across the isle 

in their sleeper.

Next stop was Galesburg,IL

Where we were greeted by a Mural including 

Carl Sandburg in its subject matter.

Also nearby was a display of a CB&Q 4-6-4 wheel arrangement Locomotive #3006. 

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad purchased twelve Hudsons from the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1930. These 4-6-4's were designated Class S-4 and assigned road numbers 3000 through 3011. #3006 was donated to the City of Galesburg by the CB&Q in 1962.    

            Soon we crossed the Mississippi River into Burlington, Iowa.

                                                                                                                                                                           photographer Unknown

In Burlington, IA is another CB&Q 4-6-4, 

this one is #3003.

As the  Prairie rolled by and with the passing of the miles 

it was time to get some sleep.

Busy Day tomorrow!

Day 2

As we came into Denver we rolled past the Old Denver Union Stockyards. 

Our train was headed Southwest as it was coming in to Denver, it needed to back into the station in order to continue on its way to Grand Junction, 

to do this it used a Wye to turn around.

This simplified drawing shows that is done

This picture shows our engine to the far left into the wye far enough to clear the switches. so it can back into the station.

Denver Rail Yard as we back into the station

We are in Denver!

Short layover at Denver Union Station.

"Smoke"m if ya got em,"

as they said in the army!

Soon we were coming into the Mountains Southwest 

of Denver.

Snow Capped Mountains followed

Highway Tunnel Entrance along the tracks.

Majestic Mountains!

          Glenwoods Springs, CO. time to stretch your legs.

We finally arrived in Grand Junction, CO.

And waiting there in our White Motor Coach, was Rafael.
Ready to take us on a Magical Ride! 
And get us there safely!

 Once in Grand Junction we headed for 

The Doubletree by Hilton for our 

Get to Know You dinner and  our nights stay.

As we had our dinner, we met everyone for the first time 

and Scott spoke to the group explaining what was ahead.

Then it was off to bed for a good night's sleep

 for the coming day.

Frank and Ruth Ann Ayre

John and Marlene Belt

CB and Janet Bohley

Jim and Judy Buzard

John and Nancy Carlson

Ted and Joanne DeSpotes

Jim and Liz Herb

Warren and Penny Hultman

Al and Linda Kaufman

Don and Janet Melby

Brian and Brenda Monn

Walt and Kaye Meyers

Jon and Denise Nelson

Larry Payne

Dennis and Richard Potter

Ron Rudd and Mary Peck

David and Karen Reed

 Mike and Barbara Sallee

James and Ruth Schoening

George and James Schwind

Kenneth and Paula Spengler

 Gene Sumney

Dan and Kim Swanson

Marsha Thrash

 Norman and Sharon Wood



Day 3

Today we head out to Gunnison National Park 
and Black Canyon

On our way to Black Canyon

We arrive at Black Canyon

First stop Bathrooms

Past the bathrooms I took a path and followed it to the rim,

that is where I found these flowers. 

These are Allium acuminatum

This I believe is Gunnison's sego lily

This appears to be Milfoil

This appears to be an Evergreen of some form

These are Purple Asters

And these with the elongated petals

are a Wild Buttercup

If I am wrong on any of the plant identities, please let me know so I can change to the proper names.

The following views can speak for themselves

From the walkway looking down 

at a crevasse in the rock

Looking back at the Information Building

Leaving Black canyon we passed through Ouray.CO.

 Ouray is known for its No Sulfur Fumes Hot Springs

                                                                                                                                  Photo by Judy Buzard

Judy shot this great picture of the falls coming
out from under the bridge

Soon we came to Bear Creek Falls. This as the water falls from our left

Crashing to the stream bed below

Before it flows into the Uncompahgre River

 To our left was another Falls flowing 

in to the Uncompahgre River

Far below in the middle you can see 

the Uncompahgre River

Another falls formed by the melting snow runoff

On our way to Silverton, we passed and abandoned mine

As soon as I saw this picture with Scott walking down the Street, I knew I had to Photo Shop the picture remove Scott and make him "Marshall Scott Hurd Dillon."

This is the results, A new Marshall in town! 

Double Click to enlarge picture!

We boarded the train and prepared to leave on our 3 1/2 hour ride through the San Juan National Forest 

along the Animas River through the mountains

Looking back on Silverton.

There is our Motor Coach and Raphael,

as soon as we are on our way to Durango, he will pull out and drive to our destination to pick us up.

Engine 482 waiting for her next run

The 480 series or K-36 class locomotives were ten engines designed for the D&RGW. 

They were built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925. The 480s were the last ten narrow-gauge locomotives constructed for the DRGW. 

The 480s were used for freight-hauling throughout the D&RGW 3 ft (914 mm) narrow-gauge network. 

The "36" stands for 36,200 lbf (161.026 kN). of tractive effort. These engines are 

outside frame Mikados, 

and all drive wheels have counterbalancing 

outside of the frame, resulting in the utilitarian look the engines are known for.

Photo by Kenneth Spengler

Not long after leaving the Station we came on these cars sitting by the rails, I assume these are cars they have gathered up and have or had the intention of fixing up.

These cars may be cannibalized or Restored down the road.

Blowing off steam!

It wasn't long and we were riding thru the mountains along the Animas River

Remember to double click to enlarge any picture

A magnificent falls flowing into the river

Along the tracks was a White Thistle, 

some years they bloom and some years they don't, they are defined by their spindly stems, I was just fortunate to see

it and snap this picture, look them up on Google, 

for more information

Pulling thru a curve, providing a nice picture

We rose higher up the mountain, 

as the river dropped away

Photo by Scott Hurd

Soon another curve and Scott got this great picture

The land leveled out and a road came along side and a lake.

We were nearing Durango

The Conductor called Durango and we were at our destination

Engine 481 at the end of our trip

Photo by Kenneth Spengler

Engine #478 to the C&TS RR. This is a K-28 locomotive, which is a smaller class engine. It would primarily be 

        used by C&TS RR on double headers. 

            It is currently on display in the museum. 

       The #478 was built by American Locomotive in 1923.

This is inside a 480 series or K-36 class locomotives, 

the back of the Boiler and all the controls to run the engine. 

The Clamshell fire doors are propped open to see inside the firebox 

                                                                                                                                      Photo by Kenneth Spengler

The Harper's Private car, a Business car B-7, built in 

1880 and beautifully restored in 2001 as the owners’ 

private family car, is usually on display to see what 

it was like to travel the rails in the 19th century.

Photo by Kenneth Spengler

Among the displays of Railroad artifacts, is this one of telegraph keys, back then this was the iPad of the day. The fastest known way to communicate! A true marvel at the time, you could send Aunt Nellie in San  Francisco in the morning and maybe in a day or so get a telegram back in Chicago. Instant Communication of the day!

 Much faster than a post by the Pony Express, which could take a couple of weeks to get a reply

Group Picture at Durango Station

Double Click for a larger Picture

Rafael was waiting to take us to our Hotel 

Some chose to take in the towns offerings

As we we were Checking out restaurants 

with Jon and Denise Nelson we came upon these 
cut out tourist picture boards. 

So we had to try them

New Sheriff in Durango!

The menu looked good so we went in and 

so we, the Buzards, along with the Nelsons and Scott Hurd had dinner on the balcony overlooking the saloon. We were entertained by the Piano Man and had a very good meal

As we headed to the Hotel, Engine 473 was turning around for a return run. Note the Dog House on top of the tender.

The Dog House had several uses, one was for a 3rd seat for the Brakeman, it gave him a view to spot hot boxes behind and see ahead, it also gave him quick access to the cars behind, sometimes a crew man with bad odors or flatulence were sent to the Dog House, 

hence "I am in the Doghouse." 

There are other interpretations but I go with these.

                                                                                                                                                                                  Photo by Hilton

A short walk brought us back to the 

Durango Doubletree by Hilton 

our home for the next 2 nights

DAY 4

  On our way to Mesa Verde

Another view on our way to Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde Visitor center

Panorama out front of the visitor Center

The statue is of a Cliff Dweller Scaling a Cliff with a Basket

Area around Mesa Verde

Our Guide on Mesa Verde

On our way to the Top Sites the Guide pointed out 
that a fire several years ago burned over this area 
The Pinyon Juniper is very slow growing and because it is so dry it will be 300 years before these trees are replaced. 



We first stopped at the Top Sites

To read Double click on Signage

This Kiva was built around 1074. 

These Kivas were social, religious and sacred centers 

 the same as  Pueblo People still use today.

Close up of Fire pit and Sipapu.

The Sipapu symbolizes the portal through which their ancient ancestors first emerged to enter 

their present world.

This picture shows the opening to the Ventilation Shaft 

and the Deflector that prevented the incoming air flow 

from blowing on the fire and spreading embers and sparks.

Over the years, different generations built new Kivas 

Often right over old  Kivas. Resulting in these concentric walls of one of 3 towers built. The towers were possibly built as observation posts or defensive structures

Double click to read.

Megalithic House Wall Ruins.

The fruits of Yucca baccata or Banana Yucca are eaten raw, 

steamed, or sautéed and were a significant source of nourishment for the Anasazi.

A view of the terrain 

A spot for picture taking.

Double Click to Read.

And there it was the Cliff Palace, so named 

because of it size.

Close up of the Cliff Palace.

                   

Close up of the Cliff Palace.

Structure just outside the Cliff Palace.

Oak Tree House.

Oak Tree House.

The Fire Temple and New Fire House

Double Click to read.

Fire Temple to the left 

and New Fire House to the right.

                                The New FireHouse.

Detail of lower level of the New Firehouse.

                        Detail of Upper New Firehouse.

                       

                          Upper and lower New Firehouse.

Detail Fire Temple.

Close up of Fire Temple.

I don't recall the name of these ruins, can somebody help?

After a long day the bus was a welcome sight!

And back to the Durango Doubletree Hotel 

for our second night there

Day 5

We arrive at Chama and everybody waits for time to Board!

Our Double-Header Helper #489 

coaling up before our trip.

#489 is a Mikado type, 2-8-2 Steam Locomotives  built 

for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad

(DRGW) by Baldwin Locomotive Works.  They were shipped to the Rio Grande in 1925, The locomotives are of 
outside-frame design, with the driving wheels placed between the two chassis frames which support the boiler,
 but with the cylinders, driving rods, counterweights 

and valve gear on the outside. 

#489 was retired from the Denver and Rio Grand in 1982 and in 1970 went to Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. 

#463 is our Engine for the trip. 

#463 is a 3-foot narrow gauge, Mikado type, 2-8-2 steam railway locomotive built for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1903. It is one of two remaining locomotives of D&RGW class K-27. The class eventually became known by the nickname "Mudhens".

 No. 463 was sold to cowboy actor and singer Gene Autry 

in May 1955. Autry never used the engine and donated 

it to the town of Antonito, Colorado. It was restored by 
and entered into service on the Cumbres and 
Toltec Scenic Railroad in 1994. It was taken out of 
service with a broken side rod in 2002. In 2009, it was 

      moved to the railroad's  Shop at Chama,New Mexico. w

There the restored locomotive made its inaugural 

run on the C&TS.

photo by kingsontheroard,blog

                    The reason for a Double-Header is almost as soon 

             as we leave, a 4% grade begins, nearly constant  

             to nearly Cumbres. Needing help pulling the train.

We left the yard in time to catch the shop workers

 take their coffee break.

At Lobato are the remains of a stock pen and the 

remains of a water tower made for a 1970's movie, 

later the tank was used in the movie "Indiana Jones 

and the Last Crusade". 

        The  water tank was knocked down in 2006, due to 

                                age and high winds. 

 A quarter of a mile away is the Lobato Trestle, the second highest trestle on the line built in 1883. Due to weight restrictions, only one locomotive is allowed to cross; therefore, all double-headers must separate and 

          rejoin on the other side. 

Here we see # 489 has uncoupled and crossed the 

bridge and 463 has started across the bridge.

#489 waits for #463 to cross and recouple.

You can never have too many Double-Header pictures!

Soon we were rolling across the countryside!

Most of the trip we followed the Wolf Creek.

At Cumbres Pass is the car inspector house and Station. 

 Here the double-header engine #489 disconnects and

using the Wye here at Cumbers Station, will turned 
around and heads back to Chama to help the next train. 

Sign on Road next to track.

Cumbres Pass Summet Elevation 10,022 FT

Sign on track right of way.

Cumbres Pass Elevation 10,0015.

Our 1st deer sighting turned out to be a cow and calf.

The next was a deer.

And the last was 3 Train Chasers.

                                                     This photo of Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Here we are on the lower track of Tanglefoot Curve, eastbound crews would jump off trains on the upper track, walk down to the lower track to check for "hot boxes" (bearings run dry and heating up,) if they found none, they would reboard the train. Story goes that a long time ago a Trainman got his foot tangled in a bush and slid down the bank almost to the track in front of the Locomotive, from then on they called it Tanglefoot Curve.

Highest Bridge on the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad 
at 137 Feet above Cascade Creek.

       Coming into Osier, we will have lunch here and lose our          Double-header engine.

Another view of Osier

                                                                                                                                         Photo by Ron Dougherty

An interesting view of Osier.

The dining hall run by "Toltec Gorge Catering, Inc."

We had a good lunch here including desert.

As we pulled into Osier, we saw our 

fire control unit following us.

Our train sitting at Osier after we had lunch.

Judy and I pose with engine 483, we are a bit windblown!

Close-up of engine #463

And a fish-eye view of the whole train. If you Double Click the picture and look close, you can see another train 

headed in the opposite direction to Chama.

Monument erected  near Rock Tunnel by railroad ticket agents to the memory of president James A. Garfield after his assassination in 1881

When I saw this picture, I had to post it just for the history.

C. R. Lively posing on his D&RG handcar at the Garfield 

        Monument at Rock Tunnel.  D&RG Rock Tunnel, 

NM Taken by Lively, Charles R. - ca. 1907
In book "Chama/Cumbres with a Little Chili 

(1st ed.)" page 125
Print marked: "Garfield Monument at Rock Tunnel"
Dorman caption: "A young C. R. Lively on his handcar has his picture taken by the future Ida Mae Lively, about 1907. They were on a Sunday outing from Osier and he seems ready to work with his agent's attire!"

                                                                                  Photo by  TripAdvisor Photos

Rock Tunnel, bored through 360 Ft. of solid Rock.

Phantom Curve is named for the ghostly shapes and shadows seen in the locomotive headlight at night.

Entering Mud Tunnel, this tunnel requires wooden supports over its entire 342 foot length.

Photo by robert@rcjbooks.com

Don't blink or you might have missed Sublette.

Soon we would cross over this bridge on Whiplash Curve, 

on our way down to the Mesa below, by using 

switchbacks we were able to drop 39 to 40 feet 

with out requiring a long trestle or roadbed berm.

Mount San Antonio, the only shield volcano in the 

continental USA. (Hawaii has 4) A shield volcano.

 Shield volcanoes' low viscosity lava means that the lava 

is more liquid and flows more quickly than thick lava. Therefore it can spread further, building up thin layers that continue to accumulate and create the shield volcano's shape.

Judy looking back on our ride.

Photo by Kenneth Spengler

The Cumbres and Toltec traverses 64-miles between 

Chama, NM and Antonito, CO. It crosses the borders of Colorado and New Mexico 11 times as it chugs its way up and over the 10,015′ high Cumbres Pass. 

As we crossed the Mesa, 

on the open car I found , (front to back) 

Dan Swanson, Scott Hurd Jim Herb and Liz Herb.

The Mesa almost looked like a large cauldron.

The Lava Tank sitting high on the Mesa, once held water
for the engines. The water was pumped from
the Rio de Los Pino River

The names " Ferguson's Trestle" and "Hangman's Trestle" stem from the hanging of Mr. Ferguson of Antonito, Colorado, who was hung from the bridge for an unknown capital crime. According to the lore, those responsible for the hanging commandeered a locomotive out of the Antonito Yard and ran it out to the trestle which was the first structure 

suitable to hang him from.

The original bridge built in 1886 was burned down in 1988 during the filming of "Where The Hell’s That Gold" staring Willie Nelson and Delta Burke. The replacement structure we see there today was constructed the following year.

The Antonito Depot, I think some of us left some money here buying souvenirs 

The track yards and other structures at Antonito.

I wish I had shot some pictures of the new 

passenger cars being built at Antonio. 

Fortunately Kenneth Spengler did and here is one.

Photo by Kenneth Spengler

The Cumbres & Toltec RR build their passenger cars 

on site in their own shops. These are modern frame (steel) rail cars, built to today's standards, yet keep the

charm of the  late 1800"s.

In the picture is a C&T Diesel engine # 19. One of 2

 GE 47-ton switchers the C&T RR runs.

Poor Engine #494 only used for Advertising today.

Engine #494 built in 1908

Built at D&RG standard gauge Class 190/C-41
Rebuilt by Burnham Shops to K-37 494 in 1928
Retired 1962, to Cumbres and Toltec in 1970
Static display, Antonito

We hopped on our Tour Bus and drove to Alamosa, CO.

for diner at Locavores, a Subway type restaurant,

 the food was good, but they were not prepared 

to handle our group.

After our meal, Raul drove us to the 

Holiday Inn & Express for the night.

DAY 6

To start off Day 6, we had coffee and donuts in the park

There was a river that ran past the park.

The "rock wall work" to protect the access road

On our way up stream along the Arkansas River.

The local wells could not supply sufficient water for the towns needs and local water was brackish or alcaly, and not good for drinking water.

One especially hard winter, temperatures dropped quickly and dramatically, and even the fast moving water 

inside the pipeline could not prevent freezing. 

The freezing ice expanded and shattered to wooden pipeline.

This picture shows the beauty of the rock in the canyon.

The A-Frame supports the bridge above the river,
because the river is too narrow and the wall so steep,
the bridge needed to be hung over the river.

This picture was taken by my former neighbor, Herman Lenaburger, in 1970, from the Royal Gorge Bridge above.

The A-frame works so well because as weight is added,
it anchors it self more firmly as weight is added

Evidentially somebody didn't bother to check height restrictions and a load on a train struck this support.

Looking back on the A- Frame support.

The Royal Gorge suspension bridge,1053 feet above the Arkansas River.  The suspension bridge,  was built in 1929 at a cost of $350,000.  It was originally a toll bridge.
It is 1260 feet long and 18 feet wide with almost
1300 wood planks 

This is the picture Herman shot of the bridge it self.

Headed back to Canon City.

The craggy canyon walls.

A pipeline bridge.

Lots of Rafting goes on on the Arkansas River.

Irrigation Diverter.

End of the line at the Canon City Depot, for our group picture.

REMEMBER TO DOUBLE CLICK ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT!

Antler Hotel in Colorado City, this was our home for 2 nights.

DAY 7

On Day 7 the group headed out to the Olympic Training Center.

                                                                                                                   Photo by Scott Hurd

Upon arrival our group was met by the staff.

                                                               Photo by Scott Hurd

And saw where the Olympians train. 

                                                                                                                                                                      Photo by Scott Hurd

                                                                                                                                                                   Photo by Scott Hurd

And the Training Firing Range, where Olympians sharpen their target shooting skills!

                                                                                                                                                                   Photo by Scott Hurd

And The Olympic Cauldron!

Then it was on to the Garden Of The Gods

                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                            Photo by Scott Hurd  

Here we are at the Visitors Center. 

With natural Wonders lying ahead!

                                                                            Photo by Scott Hurd

This formation is called "Kissing camels."

                                                 Photo by Scott Hurd

This group of Amish Ladies are enjoying having 

their picture taken at the "Balancing Rock."

                                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                    Photo by Scott Hurd

It is a bit laid back here, or the horses can't read!

                                                                                                                                                       Photo by Scott Hurd

Our guide Mar has nicknamed this formation

 "Finding Nemo". Can you see Nemo?

                                                                                                                                                      Photo by Scott Hurd

This one is the "Giant Gopher." It certainly looks like a gopher, sitting up there.

                                                                                                                                              Photo by Scott Hurd

Do you see "Papa Smurf?"

                                                                                                                                                   Photo by Scott Hurd

The Garden Valley. Ute Indians camped here.

Then on to Manitou Springs 

                                                                                                                                                                 Photo by Scott Hurd 

Manitou and Pike's Peak #2 is on display on the 

corner of Manitou Ave. and El Paso Blvd. 

in downtown Manitou Springs, Colorado. 

It was one of 3 locomotives built in 1890 by Burnham, Williams & Co., an early incarnation of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, to run from Manitou Springs, CO. 

up to scenic  lookouts on Manitou Mountain 

and Pikes Peak.

The Pikes Peak Locomotive Plaque,

I took some liberties so you could read the Plaque.

                                                                                                                                                          Photo by Scott Hurd

These are some of the old Pike's Peak cars in retirement.

                                                                                                                                                                   Photo by Scott Hurd 

Driving thru downtown Manitou Springs, CO.

                                                                                                                                                                  Photo by Scott Hurd

Display of Van Briggle Pottery made in Manitou Springs, CO.

                                               Photo by Scott Hurd

In 1909, 7 Minute Spring was drilled adjacent 

to the site of the former Manitou House Hotel. 

The spring produced a geyser every 7 minutes, 

hence the name 7 Minute Spring. 

Today, 7 Minute Spring is home to a gazebo, outdoor amphitheater, and sculpture garden. 

The park offers beautiful views of 

the surrounding mountains.

The site was developed into 7 Minute Spring Park in 1993, after the original building enclosing and the spring fell into disrepair. The center piece of the park is a Gazebo incorporating an 1880's design of a structure that once sheltered Ute Iron Spring on Ruxton Avenue.

                                                                                                                                                  Photo by Scott Hurd

Manitou Pale Dry

Meanwhile when the rest of the group did the Olympic Training Center and Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs, a couple of us went to Pikes Peak for a unique experience!

Unique, because the Pikes Peak Railroad is shut down for now, mainly because of construction of a new top house. The entire top of the mountain is a work site, with only parking space for a few Tour Buses. Everyone else has to stop at a parking lot about 3/4 of the way up and ride a bus the rest of the way.

Right behind the Antlers Hotel is the The Old Depot Square 

where you catch the Gray Line Bus Tours to Pikes Peak.

On our way on our Gray Liner Bus, our driver is a Teacher most of the year, but summers he drives and 

narrates these tours, he did an excellent job of both.

Headed up on the switch back roads.

I ride bikes but this guy is a better man than I am!

Believe me, when they say the air is thin on top, they mean it, I grabbed a oxygen boost cylinder at the base Tourist store, I needed it with my breathing problems!

Our bus at the top, in one of 4 parking spaces

not used by the construction company.

I saw Big Foot walking around and had to shoot

 this picture of him

Judy ran into his brother in side the gift store.

Double Click!

           Panorama of the end of the line if the train was 

running, but it is out for awhile.

"Visit Pikes Peak" announced on its website the 

historic railroad.billed as the world's highest of its kind 

will reopen in 2021. The railway closed in October 2017 

for maintenance that has taken far longer than expected. 

What started out as routine maintenance has become 

an entire replacement of the rail system. New trains 

and track are being made. Trains cost several 

million dollars and take about 2 years to make.

Those trains use a different kind of cog, so the tracks and cogs must be replaced as well. Cog trains are only made by 2 companies in the world.

Except the Mount Washington Cog Railway,

 makes their own engines.

Judy in front of the Pikes Peak sign.

Jim taking a break with a beautiful view 

in the background, most of the tallest mountains in 

the area are behind me. You can see 5 states on a 

clear day like this one. 

Colorado,Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Kansas.

Judy taking her turn! While a young girl appears to be standing on the edge. She isn't

Panorama of the view from the top to the north.

I believe to the west.

People actually hike to the top!

Winding roads going down, see the road below? 

We will soon be there!

Remember to double click any picture to make it larger!

One of our required stops on the way down to allow 

the brakes to cool down.

Motorcycles stop for the same reason,

before heading down the next leg.

This guy is on his way to the 3/4 parking lot, 

where he will catch a shuttle.

This year snow caps in July are common, they had 

an abundance of snow last winter.

This Postcard view is the kind I try to capture!

We got back to the hotel about 2:00

and I snapped this picture of the Old Antlers Hotel

made out of Lego's.

The first Antlers Hotel was built in 1883 

and burned down in 1898.

The second Antlers Hotel was built in 1901, it was torn down in 1964 to make way for the current Antlers.

This Lego model is of the second hotel.

When we got up to our room, I found this chocolate 

Diagonal Cutter. Given by the maintenance staff for reporting light bulbs out in our room and one of the elevators!

View from our room.

When the rest of the group got back we all hopped on the bus and headed to Golden Corral for dinner. 

John and Nancy Carlson, he was already to lighten the mood! Also pictured Ted Despotes and Mike Sallee.

Sitting closest to the camera is Gene Sumney, 

behind him are Paula Spengler and John and Nancy Carlson, Jim and Ruth Schoening, maybe  

Jim and Liz Herb, and Scott and our driver.

in the far back and maybe Larry Payne. Didn't mean to miss anyone,but if I did let me know.

On the left is Al and Linda Kaufman and the right is

 Frank and Ruth Ann Ayre.  Linda looks a little tired 

from a full day!

Just a group shot, you can see yourself 

if you are in here !

And so the end of a beautiful day 7!

DAY 8

On Day 8 we headed  to the Georgetown Loop for one of the best train rides in Colorado!

We arrived to a beautiful day at the Georgetown loop . 

Actually Silver Plume Rail Yards.

Our locomotive for the Day! # 40 #40 is a Narrow gauge, B-4G Class, 2-8-0 wheel arrangement steam engine, it was built by Baldwin  in 1920 , build # 53777. Originally sent to El Salvador then to Central City, CO and from there to Skagway, AK, and finally to the George town loop.

The first 2-8-0 was built by Matthias Baldwin in 1866. The locomotive was named "Consolidation" in honor of the recent consolidation of the Beaver Meadow, Penn Haven & White Haven and Lehigh & Mahanoy railroads into the Lehigh Valley. 

Pulling out we see the work camp for the GTRR.

Soon we crossed over a swollen stream, normal for this year.

A Gold Miner camp site, wow, has that miner waited 

a long time to strike it rich!

We are coming up on a side track.

A side track off to somewhere in the woods.

Looking forward to the engine over the tender.

Once part of the mining operation, 

large compressor to the left center.

Our coach/dining car.

Here comes #40's sister engine #111 pulling an 

excursion train out of the Morrison Valley Center.

A closer look.

A look as #111 goes by.

Looking back at Devil's Gate High Bridge

as we pass over.

Looking west from Devils Gate at 

Morrison Valley Center station.

Looking ahead at Devil's Gate bridge.

We arrive at Morrison Valley Center and 

Al is glad to see me!.

Shot of #40, with Devil's Gate Bridge in the background.

Are they checking their pictures?

Our engineer, he certainly looks the part!

Clear shot of the boiler.

A few candid shots while we are in the station.

Another look at Devil's gate Bridge.

Heading back to Silver Plume.

Recrossing the stream.

A flat car on a siding, loaded with what looks 

like a track switch.

Looking down on US 6 and Clear Creek.

Note the tracks on the other side of the stream.

We cross Clear Creek, 4 times going 1 way.

Back to the siding and #111 is on the other track.

Clear Creek again!

End of the line back at Silver Plume Station.

Then it was onto Lookout Mountain

Getting off the bus at the 

Red Rock Amphitheater Parking lot. 

Instead of going directly to the Red Rock Amphitheater, 

I took the path less taken, 

which goes around back of the Amphitheater  

There are spectacular views everywhere you look.

I will let the next few pictures speak for themselves.

In the distance is Denver.

Photo by Scott Hurd

While I was working my way around back, 

Scott took this picture of the Amphitheater

From the back looking at the Amphitheater.

Another view from the back looking at the seating. 

Can you see yourself in this picture?

More scenes that can speak for themselves.

This crevasse was interesting. You can see clear through, but you would have to be really thin to make it through!

Rocks framing Denver in the background.

The size of boulders here  are amazing, this one 

has been around forever, 

I bet if it could talk it would have stories to tell. 

It watched this area grow from an empty high plains 

to the Metropolis that Denver is today.

.

Then onto Denver

The Denver Botanical Gardens.

The “I See What You Mean” piece, also known 

as the “Big Blue Bear,” 

During the Design process, local artist Lawrence  Argent faced the task of creating a work of art that represented Colorado while still avoiding the clichés, such as mountains. Knowing that the sculpture would be visible to those driving past the convention center, he felt that a curious bear embodied the curiosity that passersby might feel as they wondered what was going on inside the 
massive events center on any given day. 

It certainly is one of a kind!

Dinner at the Denver Cheesecake Factory

Scott with his Birthday Cake!

Photo by Judy Buzard

 Another view where you can see the cake, not blurred.

And some candid shots

Soon our meal was over and we made our way 

to Denver Union Station.

Union Station is a Hot Spot in downtown Denver on a Friday night! Restaurants, Bars and shops. 

Photo by Jack McCabe

It seems to be  the place to be on a weekend night!

 Then it was Good Night Denver, as our train 
headed east into the night.

Day 9

The trip home!

                                                Photo by Scott Hurd

Bonus smoke stop at Hastings, NE. 
Little bit of trivia, My Great, Great Grandmother Buzard 
died in Hastings about 100 years ago.

 Photo by Scott Hurd

Before we get to Omaha, we arrive in Friend. NB

Photo by Scott Hurd

And in Friend you find "Tipsy Cow."

Two in the afternoon on Saturday the 13th we were in Omaha, NB. During the night  east of Denver, our train had an encounter with an obviously inebriated woman sitting on the tracks. Fortunately for her she survived and our engine was no worse for the wear. It did put us an hour or so behind schedule.

West bound Burlington-Northern Santa Fe 

freight passes us in Omaha.

Omaha Union Station

Photo by Scott Hurd

Here's you taking a photo of me taking a photo of the 

Amtrak Trainmaster & the Coach Attendant.

Photo by Scott Hurd

Our Complimentary dinner.

Wrecked CitiRail engine on flatcar in Burlington,IA as BNSF freight heads west.

About to cross the Mississippi River.

Photo by Scott Hurd

Sunset departing Burlington, IA

Photo by Scott Hurd

Our Dining car crew.

On these trips, you come to know who else will be taking a break when we stop, Linda Kaufman was one of those people. Here we are stopped in Galesburg, IL.

Another Galesburg,IL picture.

Photo by David Scharenberg

We pulled into Princeton, IL about 10 or 11, here we said goodbye to our fellow passengers and headed home, to Rock Falls, IL about 45 minutes north. 

Photo by Scott Hurd

Pass through the Chicago 14th Street Yard 

Photo by Michael Mann

The rest of you got into Chicago Union Station after Midnight and continued on the next day. I hope you all had a safe trip on the final leg of your journey! Maybe we will meet again someday on another train ride!

My apologies to all of you for the delay on completing this story, there were more pictures on this America by Rail Trip than any Blog post I have done.  Not making excuses, I should have completed this long ago. 

I hope you enjoy the memories we made on this journey together!

Jim Buzard, Your Photographer and Blogger.

Please Check out my other posts on Riding the Rails!

FINI