DEPOT NEARLY READY TO OPEN COLFAX, CA -- As of Monday, the Colfax Passenger Depot is 99 percent complete. That's according to Depot Renovation Project Manager Tony Hesch. "We're closer to the finish. This means we can turn the keys over to the city and be happy again," he said with a laugh. The last major repairs were the blacktop walkway and the attic insulation. "It wasn't supposed to take this damn long," said Hesch, explaining that there were only seven hands-on volunteers throughout the project's duration. Hesch and Depot Project Administrator Roger Staab have worked for 3 ½ years on the renovation, which last November received a Governor's Historic Preservation Award. Placer-Sierra Railroad Heritage Society members will complete the finishing touches before May 5. That's the day a ribbon-cutting event is planned for the Depot, said City Clerk Karen Pierce. Also on May 5, the Colfax Area Historical Society will show off the Colfax Area Heritage Museum and will have living history exhibits, said Helen Wayland, the museum's curator. "We've been a work-in-progress," Wayland said of the new museum, which occupies one-third of the passenger depot building and has been informally welcoming guests since November 2005. The Depot will also include a visitor waiting area and a visitor center run by the Colfax Area Chamber of Commerce. About $170,000 of the $175,000 in grants from the city, the National Parks Service's Save America's Treasures program and the United Auburn Indian Council have been spent, according to Staab. Colfax Passenger Depot timeline 1905 - Southern Pacific Railroad constructs the Colfax Passenger Depot to replace an earlier one that burned down. April 20, 1971 - Last day of service as a passenger depot, when Amtrak took over passenger operations from Southern Pacific Railroad. Dec. 7, 1990 - the Depot is registered on the National Register of Historic Places. March 31, 1998 - The City of Colfax agrees to be the property manager for the Colfax Depot ("hereafter known as the Colfax Rail/Multimodal Facility") and two acres of land that the Union Pacific Railroad agreed to donate. March 30, 2000 - Colfax City Council approves a contract for Phase One of the Colfax Multimodal Station Project, using federal funds for depot renovation. The Depot had been transferred to the city in the mid-1990s. May 12, 2000 - The Colfax Passenger Depot literally gets off the ground, when the building was lifted from its original foundation so a new foundation could be added. July 10, 2001 - The City's Depot Project Management Committee holds its first meeting. July 2003 - The Depot's exterior painting, in colonial yellow and Samoa brown colors, is completed. Jan. 2004 - The projected cost of interior renovation is $159,300. Oct. 12, 2004 - City authorizes $75,000 toward the renovation of the building. Nov. 5, 2005 - Colfax Area Heritage Museum welcomes visitors to the Depot Building during a Founders' Day celebration. Jan. 25, 2007 - The City of Colfax hosts a dinner meeting of Placer County city and county officials inside the Passenger Depot. April 2007 - The interior renovation is 99 percent complete, at a cost of $170,000. - Kelly Arbor, The Colfax Record
Well I've heard that there are a few more railroad related items on display nearby such as a speeder. Also another plaque about the Nevada County Narrow Guage. So it looks like I'll have to take a quick drive that way soon. It's only 15min away but I'm not digital yet so pics may be awhile.
Just got back a few minutes ago from checking out the depot. It is open to the public and has many historical items on display. Tons of railroad related pics on the wall and pamphlets/books for sale. Really neat to see it from the inside. As I don't have a flash it was very difficult to photograph so I won't be posting any photos from the inside. Took several new photos of the depot and surrounding area. Found the new plaques for the Nevada County Narrow Guage, the depot and the freighthouse. At the depot they also have two SP baggage carts on display and over at the freighthouse is a speeder, wigwag and concrete phone booth. Pretty cool stuff. It will be awhile before I get the pics developed but for some idea of whats there, check out my Colfax page on my Foothill Rails site. The new pics will be added to this page. Enjoy! Oh and as a side note, none other than Ken Yeo walked in the door as I was exploring. Some of you may recognize the name from the CSRM and the NCNGTM. Very cool!
Ran across the groups website and it has some really neat before and after shots of the depot. They are the Placer-Sierra Railroad Heritage Society. Also got my pics back but will have to get them scanned and posted first.
