Steam-to-steam Transfers On Wednesdays Until August 17th

Here's a video from 2008 when the steam-to-steam transfer at Antonito was quietly tried out using a caboose to take riders into Alamosa.

Cumbres & Toltec Serving Up A Hot Fourth of July

If you have not made any solid plans for next weekend's Fourth of July festivities, consider heading down to the Cumbres & Toltec for a weekend that promises to be unforgettable. They have a full plate of Independence Day activities. A photo from last year's celebration found itself on the back inside cover of Trains Magazine. If you need any more encouragement to go, read on!

Model Commuter Rail Car Closes After Extended Stay

As of 2 p.m. today, the full-scale model of the commuter train that Denver's Regional Transportation District (RTD) has had on public display for five weeks at Denver Union Station has finally closed. The model depicts the front third of an actual 85-foot commuter rail car. On Monday, a crew will lift the 10,700-pound unit onto a trailer for transport to a storage facility. The model was placed on display for the public to give feedback on the planned interior design of Denver's commuter rail cars.

Durango Looks Great This Summer

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, headquartered in Durango, Colorado, is offering a rare deal for vacationers this summer and has several events planned. Durango, a town that's never really shed it's wild west image, is an amazing place to fall in love with narrow gauge, steam railroading. It's worth the travel time to get there, and if you're really brave, you'll bring your camera but leave your laptop and smartphone charging at home. Unplugging with only a hotel phone for emergencies may be the 2011 way of "roughing it," for some folks. I know that for me, doing so would certainly add to the old west, frontier feel!

DUSPA To Resume Walking Tours This Summer

From the semi-autonomous Denver Union Station Project Authority's newsletter for May 2011,

The Denver Union Station Project Authority (DUSPA) once again will be conducting free walking tours of the Denver Union Station redevelopment site this summer. The tours will be held at 4:30 p.m., starting on Thursday, May 19, 2011, and continuing on the first and third Thursdays of the month through September. The one-hour tour will depart from the main entrance of the historic station on Wynkoop Street.

Volunteers Needed This Weekend

Colorado Railroads just received an urgent appeal for volunteers this Saturday for a steam-up at the Colorado Railroad Museum. Here it is:

Looking for volunteers to help with parking for our "Bunny Express" Saturday. We are anticipating need for overflow parking for this annual and very popular event at the Colorado Railroad Museum. Help!!!!

Donald Tallman
Executive Director

If you're in the Denver area on Saturday and need an excuse to go to the Colorado Railroad Museum for the day, this is about as good as they get. Giving time to the museum is an easy and cheap way to show your support for Colorado's railroad history. Contact Donald Tallman via Facebook, or contact the museum directly at 303-279-4591 or 800-365-6263.

Video of Steve Lee's Presentation In Hugo

Have you ever wondered what it takes to field a modern day, main line steam program? Steve Lee, recently retired, is the most experienced at the complexities of Union Pacific's Steam Program. His commentary and photos from his 22 years as head of the program were given as part of the meeting Sunday for the Hugo Roundhouse preservation group.

Steve Lee, Jim Burrill Presentation On UP Steam On Sunday In Hugo

Recently retired UP Steam program head, Steve Lee and Jim Burrill, self-admitted Steam Geek for Union Pacific, plan to give a presentation on the Union Pacific this Sunday in Hugo, Colorado. It is part of an annual meeting of the Roundhouse Preservation group, but the meeting is open to the public and "any interested person is welcome."

Worth noting, the roundhouse in Hugo is one of four remaining roundhouses in Colorado, and the only brick constructed roundhouse in the state. The preservation group began work in 2003 and appear to have made steady progress.

Denver Train Show In February 2011

The Great Train Expo makes its appearance again on February 26th and 27th at the National Western Complex at 4655 Humboldt Street in Denver.


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Great Train Expo In Denver This Weekend

Due to a glitch, I just found out that the events calendar was missing a very important date. I fixed the glitch, but just in case you missed it, here's the announcement:

The Great Train Expo will be in Denver, Colorado this weekend. One of the larger train shows in the Rocky Mountain region, the expo will have vendors selling all things rail related, especially model railroads, as well as modular clubs in scales G, O, HO, N and Z, all showing their latest builds and acquisitions. Combine it with a trip to Caboose Hobbies, and you've got a high chance of getting what you're looking for.

New Mexico Antes Up For Lobato Repairs, Could Complete By Opening Day 2011

The Lobato Trestle on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, which burned in a fire in late June, could possibly be back in service by next season's opening day! Long time New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson directed the state's Department of Transportation to direct $1.2 Million in federal funds toward the trestle reconstruction.

You Forgot Your What!?

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad recently completed Railfest 2010, and the fans have some pretty unique souvenirs for their money. I found this picture while browsing their Railfest photo gallery. I've seen worse, but I think most folks would agree that when a person is giving a whistle demonstration at said Railfest, it's important--nay, crucial that they bring adequate ear protection. Regardless, the show, or the demonstration, must go on.

The Great Train Expo

November 6 & 7, 2010 - Denver 
The Great Train Expo returns to Denver's National Western Complex at 4655 Humboldt Street on November 6th & 7th, 2010, for their fall show. This is a large event that pulls in exhibitors and hobby shops from several states around the Rocky Mountain region. Model railroad clubs will be there with their modular layouts. The doors will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Admission for adults is $7 at the door with kids under 12 free with an adult. .

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Pictures from January's show in Colorado Springs

Grand Junction Regional Swap Meet

September 11, 2010 - Grand Junction 

This September, the Western Slope has a swap meet scheduled for September 11th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church at 5th Street and White Avenue in downtown Grand Junction. Free parking is on east side of c the church. Amission $2 for adults, children under 12 admitted free. Tables cost $5, second table $4 and three tables for $12. Set up starts at 8 am. Interested parties call Robert at (970) 254-8606. 

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Lionel Collectors Club of America Convention Show Open To Public

July 31, 2010 - Denver

The Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) returns to Denver this year with it's national convention at the end of this month. While most of the events are open only to members, they do make their private train show open to the public on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Adults $5 each  Under 18 free with paying adult. The convention and the show are held at the Denver Marriott Tech Center.  

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Santa Fe Railway Historical and Modeling Society Convention

There are a few more train shows still coming this year. Most of the shows will be in Denver, except where noted. I will be breaking them up into individual posts so that any comments will be specific for the event.

Here we go for the second half of the year:

July 21-25, 2010, Denver 

The Santa Fe Railway Historical & Modeling Society will be hosting it's international convention next week Wednesday  through Sunday at the Doubletree Hotel, Denver near the old Stapleton airport at 32nd Ave (MLK) and Quebec. This mulit-day conference is aimed at the serious Santa Fe fan. It will be themed around the Colorado Flyer, a premier passenger train between Chicago and Denver in the 1930’s.  The group will also be featuring the Royal Gorge war, a bloodless war in the 1880s between the Santa Fe and Denver and Rio Grande.  

As it says on their site, you don't have to be a member to attend. The cost of the convention this year will be $130.00. This includes clinics, contests, displays, banquet and Sunday breakfast, a pin, and a patch. Extra banquet tickets are $45.00, extra breakfast tickets are $25.00. For reservations and further information, visit their site. 

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Follow up: UP 844 To Visit Milliken On June 26

Colorado Railroads has a follow up on the post, "UP 844 To Visit Milliken On June 26" According to Union Pacific's press release, issued today,

Memorial Service For Jim Ozment at CRRM On June 12

Jim Ozment photo

A memorial service for railfan and photographer Jim Ozment will be held at the Museum in the picnic area at the Colorado Railroad Museum on June 12th at 3:00 PM followed by light refreshments. Mr. Ozment, who passed away December 7th, was a longtime member at the museum and Advisory Board member. Examples of his work may be found and purchased at www.westernrailimages.com

6th Avenue Bridge Rollout Completed Early

6th Avenue light rail bridge rolls into place. 9News photo

The 6th Avenue Bridge Rollout has finished early. Originally scheduled for 30 hours, work was completed in 14 hours, less than half the time expected. As a result, traffic resumed it's normal flow today instead of tomorrow. Denver's 9News.com has photos of the rollout as well as video coverage.

UP 844 To Visit Milliken On June 26

The City of Milliken, Colorado is celebrating its centennial this year, and the town Historical Society has scheduled a train day on June 26, 2010, to celebrate. The Union Pacific's 4-8-4 steam locomotive #844 will make an appearance that day in town. The UP Steam site shows the schedule set for June 25th and 26th, probably taking the 25th to travel to Milliken and overnight there, and then using the 26th to perform and travel back.

Aside from a town brochure (PDF) and a calendar mentioning the date and the event, more specific details are not available at this time.