Published in today's Rocky Mountain News... The #12 arrived from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and was used recently in Hawaii in the 1960's hauling pineapples and sugar cane. Built by Baldwin in 1929 it is a black-and-green engine and a domed "whaleback" tender and 36-inch wheels. Was purchased for $225,000 from the Silverwood Theme Park in Athol, Idaho. Also #9 from the Colorado & Southern Line and #30 owned most recently by the City of Boulder (Park Display) will be put into service along with two diesel-electric locomotives.. Currently they are seeking passenger gondolas from various sources including eBay.
From the DenverPost.com http://denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E53%257E2780749,00.html Post / Glen Martin Dan Robirds of California stands atop Steam Engine No. 12 in the Georgetown Loop Railroad yard. The 1929 engine, which arrived from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Thursday, was used most recently in Hawaii in the 1960s. Robirds was applying for a job at the railroad yard.
Darren- Please refresh my memory- What was the source of this locomotive? It says Coeur D'Alene. But I can't think of what it was doing there..... ??? Boxcab E50
Ken, it was owned by the Silverwood theme park north of CdA, but wasn't operational there. They have another NG loco that does run.
Silverwood. OK. I was wondering. Have never paid much attention to that place. That type of entertainment site just doesn't interest me. Boxcab E50
Its very interesting to see that they purchased that loco. One of the reasons, among many, the Colo Historical Society gave for not renewing the Ashby's contract for operations was because they wanted an operator that had more historically correct locos than the Shays that the Ashby's were running. Its true that Shays were not historically accurate for the Loop but I don't think this new loco is either. If I am wrong, please correct me but I don't believe that a 2-6-2 was historicaly accurate either - especially with its whale back tender. I'm also pretty sure that no deisel - electrics were originally run on the line either. Because of decisions like this, it hard for me to believe that the decision not to renew the old operator's contract was a pure business decision. I, and many of the other Georgetown residents, believe the decision was purely personal and it was a jab at the Ashbys for some of their local political views. Sorry if it seems this is a little personal for me but it is. My town lives and dies by the tourist industry. If the Loop cannot continue to bring in the numbers it used to - I have a feeling I will see a property tax increase to compensate for the lost sales tax revenue. The new operator says they will be open by Memorial Day. We'll see. It will take alot to refurbish their new engines and I still haven't seen any rolling stock up there that is capable of handling passengers. I hope the seller on eBay offers express shipping. Thanks for letting me vent. Eric in Georgetown
Seems to me a 2-8-0 would be more appropriate. Eric, I feel your pain buddy. I live in a historic neighborhood in Denver and our historic preservation committee and neighborhood associations are a bunch of people who act like they are still in highschool. You can't even put up a tool shed in your back yard without people telling you that it doesn't meet regulations. It's ludicrous.
Please keep the news coming. I may not live there. But am always concerned, when there is jeopardy to any precious rail use. Boxcab E50
Eric, Being a Colorado native myself I have strong feelings too about protecting our history including our Railroads that are such a major part of our history so I feel your concern as well. WHen I has last in Georgetown I picked up a book by Allan C. Lewis titled Images of Rail - Colorado & Southern Railway Clear Creek Narrow Gauge that has a section on the Georgetwon Loop. I have not had a chance to actaully read it yet but are some great historical photos of the area and equipment crossing the High Bridge of the loop in it's historic glory. I will see if I can get some detail about the historical engines that once operated on the loop.
OK, here is some histocial information I didn't know that I want to share as part of this topic. "The Loop" as it was called historically was envisioned by UP when it was leased by William Loveland in 1879 used the newly formed Georgetown, Breckenridge & Leadville Railway (GB&L) to reach the new mines of Leadville. To achive it they built "The Loop" which became a "Tourist attraction" right away (as well as today) but by 1884 the Denver, South Park & Pacific (DS&P) reaching Leadville made the GB&L unnecessary. Later the Union Pacific, Denver & Gulf (UPD&G) (I never heard of this railroad ) absored the former Colorado Central, it inherited "The Loop" and added "open cars" to the trains as a tourist passenger line as a way to better view the scenery. At this point in the book they show a Denver, Leadville & Gunnison (DL&G) (which was a UP subsidiary that absored the DS&P) Engine #109 pulling the tourist train. Can't tell what class this engine is. Anyway, I've learned of some Railroads that I never heard of and thought I would share their names as part of this topic since we are talking about the Past & Present of the Georgetown Loop,
Hey Eric, I'm with you too! I also had a strong feeling this was not about business. Whether the Shay was authentic or not, it was an attraction in itself. We will just see if the new deal works out...
Here is some Roster information that maybe others can add some detail too if I can't find more detail as I share my research. From photos within the above book I found the following operated on "The Loop" historically. Engine No. 156 Engine No. 116 of the DL&G Engine No. 162 of the DL&G Engine No. 5 of the C&S Not to say this is a complete list but they are listed with photographs of them operating over the "High Bridge" historically.
OK, here is another railway I haven't heard of that plays into the history; Argentine Central Railway (owned by Edward Wilcox) which in 1905 built a railroad line from Siler Plum up Pendlten Mountain and then take a SW course toward several Wilcox properties including the Waldorf Mining and Milling Company. The passengers over "The Loop" wishing to extend their trip transfered to the AC to the summit of Mount McClellan. It would later be know as the Georgetown & Grays Peak in 1913 and then the Argentine & Grays Peak until abandoned in 1919. Now, how does this apply to Eric's statement, the AC used Shay Engines out of Silver Plum.
Darren, I didn't know that the AC had shays. Thats way cool. However, the Loop Shays still would not have been historically accurate because the AC was a two foot gauge and the Loop is a three footer. But that leads me to another point that William hit on. The Georgetown Loop Inc. Shays most likely logged more miles in their service as tourist locos than any other type of loco that ran on the line. So to say they are historically inaccurate depends on how narrow your time frame is. Eric
BTW, the old Argentine Central right of way is now a 4 wheel drive trail. There are still some structures standing from the old mining town of Waldorf. However most of it is gone. Its a pretty cool drive - my wife and I go up there quite a bit. the road also has a couple of places where the retaining walls and fills are still in place. We've also found a couple of places where there are still some remnaints of the railroad ties. Eric
Didn't know the AC was a two footer! I'm fascinated by the diminutive sized railroads. Is there any info about this company on the 'Net? Boxcab E50
Found these image on a few sites Argentine Central Rwy. #1 @ Silver Plume, Colorado - circa 1905-1909 Built 08/17/1905 - 36" gauge - 10"x12" cylinders - 29½" drivers - 37 tons - 2 trucks Photographed by Louis Charles McClure - Copyright © 1995-1999 Argentine Central Rwy. #4 @ Silver Plume, Colorado Built 05/11/1907 - 36" - 11"x12" cylinders - 32" drivers - 45 tons - 2 trucks Photo taken at the engine house circa 1907-1909 Photographed by Louis Charles McClure - Copyright © 1995-1999 Argentine Central Rwy. #6 @ Silver Plume, Colorado Built 06/15/1908 - 36" gauge - 11"x12" cylinders - 32" drivers - 45 tons - 2 trucks Photo taken at engine house circa 1906-1918 Photo source: Verona Chappel Zimmerman collection - Copyright © 1995-1999 All reference Denver Public Library
OK, now I'm really confused. I thought the AC was a 2 footer but those are 3 foot locos. Hmm. I'll have to check some of my sources. Perhaps I am mistaken. Wouldn't be the first time. Darren, thanks for finding those fotos. The Denver Public Library has some really great fotos online that are great references - and its free!! Eric
From what I found, they had seven (7) Shays numbered #1 through #7. The Shay #8 that is in Georgetown today was once used on the Modern Loop and lettered once as a Argentine & Grays PeaK engine but it wasn't really. I think I read it came from a lumber yard someplace. Today it just sits as a display piece in Georgetown.
Found it; #8 used to operate for the Westside Lumber Company according to the book I referenced earlier.
