In some ways it's ironic that I'm currently 2 years behind in getting RRAdventures topics going because it was 2 years ago when politics ruled the airways and news like they are again being another voting year is upon us. I labeled this RRAdventures, "Escape the DNC" as it was August 23rd, 2008 and the "Democratic National Conversion" was occurring in Denver, CO. It was not a political statement but not wanting to be around all the "other" stuff that comes with holding a political convention for any party just down the street from your home. So, Lisa and I decided to headed into the hills and spend a week plus at higher altitude and do some photography. Some places we have not photographed before as well as places we decided it was time to do it again. Not everything was RR related but we did catch many of RR shots along the way... If you are a Fallen Flags fan of the railroads in and around Colorado you are going to love this one... :tb-cool: :tb-cool: :tb-cool: :tb-cool:
Day#1 (8/23) - C&S Depot @ Idaho Spings We started out our first day by stopping by a geological road cut along I-70 just outside of Morrison. From there we cruised up in Idaho Springs. Here we find our first RR stop of the day by locating and photographing for the first time the Colorado & Southern Depot that is now a private residence. [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
Day#1 (8/23) - Continued... We next travel just to another section of town here in Idaho Springs to track down another structure we have not previously photograph. Here is the Colorado and Southern Section House. [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
Day#1 (8/23) - Continued... We continue our day heading up to Dumont, CO to track down the Colorado and Southern depot here which is a private residence. [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
Day#1 (8/23) - Continued... We would next travel over the Continental Divide at Loveland Pass (Elev. 11,990ft) to do a little hiking as well as stop at Pass Lake. From there we head to Keystone, CO to track down the Denver, South Park, & Pacific Depot to add to our inventory of surviving stations in Colorado. [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
Day#1 (8/23) - Continued... While at the DSP&P Keystone Depot I talked to someone that knew a nice piece of history that he took me outside to share. He had me take a series of shots over the field behind the station and then he explained to me that this is where the WYE was at to turn the trains around. I stitched the four photographs together to give you a feel for what that area looks like today [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica][/FONT]
Day#1 (8/23) - Continued... We next pulled into Dillon where we falsely heard the old Depot still existed. We talked to a historian there that and she said it had long since burned down a few years after it was no longer in service. We did however come across a house that was adding a Caboose to it's layout. Interest addition to a house I would say!!!!!!! [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica][/FONT]
Day#1 (8/23) - Continued... Before call it a night in Breckenridge we stopped by the Rotary Snowplow Park again, this time to take some SUMMER shots of the equipment there we photographed last WINTER in several feet of snow. We are in luck, even the museum is open!!!!!!! [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica][/FONT]
Day#1 (8/23) - Continued... Here we find Colorado and Southern Boxcar #8323... [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
Day#1 (8/23) - Continued... OK, you rivet counters, start counting... [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
While at the museum in Breckenridge did they happen to mention if C&S #9 was still heading for Rotary Park? Ben
Well, we took this trip basically 2 years ago and I believe at that time the thought was they planned to have it back and operational for a big party. Obviously that didn't happen. Still, it would be nice to get C&S#9 back someplace where she once operated even if it's just a Static Display again... :tb-nerd: :tb-nerd: :tb-nerd: :tb-nerd:
Day#1 (8/23) - Continued... Keep counting!!!!!!! [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
Day#1 (8/23) - Continued... Museum & Windmill [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
Day#1 (8/23) - Continued... Inside the museum was a nice collection of photographs and memorabilia of days when the railroad ran here. One of the photographs was of the old Depot and they had the old Depot sign inside that you can see in the old photograph. I also spotted a old cart sitting just outside the museum. [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] End of Day #1 [/FONT]
Day#2 (8/24) - Boreas Pass As folks I'm sure know by now my RRAdventures website is full of Tourist Railroad shots and few real world Railfan photos. But what folks might not be aware of is that I also take time out to chase RR history and photograph those places before time catches up and they are lost. So, this next section of our trip we stopped by and photographed many Denver, South Park & Pacific places. :tb-biggrin: :tb-biggrin: :tb-biggrin: :tb-biggrin:
Day#2 (8/24) - Boreas Pass As we travel up the road (old track bed) we pass by what is called the Rock Cut along this section [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica][/FONT]
Day#2 (8/24) - Boreas Pass (Continued) [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica]Baker's Tank [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
Day#2 (8/24) - Boreas Pass (Continued) Colorado and Southern Boxcar #8311 Resting at 11,481 Feet [FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] - [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT]
