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…
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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I love seeing what has become of old train stations.
The Lion never got anywhere near Denver. Are you a transplant?
There is a replica in Honesdale, PA and the last I heard what’s left of the original was in Baltimore.
LOL!!! [(-D]
Nope, my family has been in Colorado for over 120 years and we slowing cross this nation over several more generations before that. My love of the D&H was purely accidental and have since travel over allot of it’s routes that I will cover in other topics. So few of D&H Railfans care about the D&H Canal and Gravity Railroad years and I do; so, I took the Lion as my RR handle in honor of those years. [8D]
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.
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!!!
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!!!
Day#1 (8/23) - Continued…
Here we find Colorado and Southern Boxcar #8323…
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Day#1 (8/23) - Continued…
OK, you rivet counters, start counting…
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Day#1 (8/23) - Continued…
Keep counting!!!
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Day#1 (8/23) - Continued…
Museum & Windmill
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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.
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End of Day #1
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.
[:D] [:D] [:D] [:D]
Day#2 (8/24) - Boreas Pass (Continued)
Baker’s Tank
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Thanks for sharing. The multiple views and including the plaques, comments, etc. makes it almost as good as being there.
A few weeks ago CopCarSS here posted some photos form the same general area - I believe even of the C&S Section House, if I’m not mistaken (and I very well could be . . . [:-^] ) As I recall it had a very close-up shot of the details of a window and the muntins/ mullions/ window pane dividers, whatever those things are called . . . [%-)]
Looking forward to the rest of the series. On balance, I’d say you got the better side of the deal, even if you did miss the UP’s steam locomotive and its train and entourage back in town. (Our daughter was living in Arvada then and went downtown to see the action for a bit. Unfortunately, she moved to Phoenix about a month later . . . it ain’t the same, perhaps needless to say [sigh] )
Glad to know you are enjoying this installment of RRAdventures as I do try to make readers feel they are right there with me. If folks here would like, I can run some of my old ones I have done on “other” forums here as additional topics.
Day#2 (8/24) - Boreas Pass (Continued)
Colorado and Southern Boxcar #8311
Resting at 11,481 Feet
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Day#2 (8/24) - Boreas Pass (Continued)
There is a small section of the Wye in front of the Boxcar as well as the remains of a foundation near the Boxcar as well.
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