Caboose Hobbies To Re-open In Lakewood

Caboose Hobbies, in whatever form the store survives, is set to re-open on Alameda Avenue in Lakewood just south of the Federal Center this month. The Denverite has more.

When the store closed at its original location on 500 S Broadway on September 11, 2016, it was the end of an era. The largest model train store in the world closed on the 20th anniversary of the Union Pacific - Southern Pacific merger on September 11, 1996.

While Denver Billionaire Philip Anschutz had purchased the Rio Grande in 1984, he had Rio Grande Industries purchase the Southern Pacific Transportation Company in 1988 and the two companies functioned as separate divisions of the same railroad. As a result, it was easy for me to imagine nothing had really changed. Unfortunately, the day everything changed was the merger of the Union Pacific. For me, that was the day the Rio Grande, Denver's home railroad finally died.

So it's a little more sad than before. On the other hand, it would feel even worse if Caboose Hobbies had closed forever. Now she has a fighting chance. When they open, drop by 10800 W. Alameda Ave, Lakewood, Colorado if you are in town! They should be are not (yet) open. If you are out of the metro area, visit www.caboosehobbies.com! They should have gift certificates for sale!⚒

POTD - Autumn Aspens Aflame Over La Veta Pass

The cooler weather of last week calls to mind that autumn is approaching and with it, the fall colors returning to the high country. Now, aspens aflame may seem synonymous with a number of Colorado's railroads, but for some reason, I don't readily recall the San Luis & Rio Grande, or as it's known to most folks, the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad as a primary venue for autumn viewing.

Could this soon change? The RGSR is booking tickets for its Fall Colors Explorer. Their first class tickets are still available for $130 aboard a standard gauge, diesel service departing Alamosa and Fort Garland for La Veta Pass. While not the typical steam trip, it looks like those willing to part with the tidy sum will enjoy food, wine, and a memorable experience on board to go with their photos.

Photo of the Day: Michael F. Allen

Michael F. Allen took the above frame at La Veta Pass of SLRG 18 hauling a photo freight westward in the midst of some dazzling and brilliant aspen. While the framing and timing of the photo is just right, the tall, open gons and the tall, standard gauge engine make it stand out from so many narrow gauge steamers. The green jacket to the boiler looks sharp and defined, giving contrast to the the former LS&I 18. Had it been the standard black, it just wouldn't pop like it does. Truly worthy of Photo of the Day!⚒

Denver's B Line Opens, Gold Line Still Testing In August

Denver's RTD is phasing in the changes as FasTracks projects continue to roll in relatively on time for their completion dates. As announced, the A line to DIA opened in April. In July, the B Line--known during construction as the Northwest line--is in full operation in time for students and worker bees to travel from Broomfield to Denver Union Station 6.2 miles and 11 minutes away. Denverites and visitors can now ride the rails from Westminster and Broomfield to Santa Fe and Mineral (with a single change to light rail), and they are not done yet!

First, Boulder and Longmont will eventually be stops of the same B line, ergo B is for Boulder, not just Broomfield. There is a slight problem with funding. Barring a new effort, the extension will not be built until 2030 or even later. Yeesh.

Next, the Gold line is in testing mode with a planned opening this fall. Contributing photographer John Hill submitted a photo taken by Georgia Buechler on August 4th showing a test train stopped on the Union Pacific flyover that carries the commuter rail over the Moffat Route and California Zephyr.

The lines are quietly queuing and coming along nicely:

Commuter Rail

• A line - completed, renamed
• B line - see above
• G line - see above
• North line work beginning, to complete in 2018

Light Rail

• C/D line extension - not started
• E/F line extension - not started
• L line - central's north end extension, not started
• R line - construction winding down, testing to begin
• W line - completed 2013

And all of it by: Electricity, eeee-lec-tri-ci-ty...⚒

Caboose Hobbies To Close September 25

It's official. Sadly, Duane Miller, the owner of Caboose Hobbies, is retiring. The unfortunate reality means that Caboose Hobbies will close, effective September 25, 2016.

The Denver Post published a thoughtful article with 11 photos about the impending closure, citing an aging hobby and the impact on retailers like "the world's largest model train store." There is a tendency for those in the hobby to resist investing in new skills and today's society in general seems to reward participation in sports and activities, which are not typically home-based, the typical location for a model layout. Then there is the limitation of the obvious problem with building model railroad layouts--that once it's complete, builders are forced to find new space or clear out entire sections to keep their interest focused. The idea, I thought, was to finish, but the joy seems to be in the journey.

On the other hand, the adaptation of model railroading to this lifestyle is the modular layout, where clubs like the Pikes Peak "N"gineers and the Colorado Rail Link construct table-top sections that fit together in a large room or exhibit hall, which are a significant draw for Train Shows.

The most important aspect of CH's demise was summed up very concisely by Tracy M. Cook in the article:

Building model trains is not as popular of a hobby as it once was. The 3D art form is time-consuming — and expensive — requiring a commitment on both fronts.

It seems that so very few of us have a balance of both commodities, time and money! Entire industries are born offering others more of one for a modest investment in the opposite (or more likely, a combination of both). We all have at least one of these. It's called a job. The sad part is that so many of us put off that layout because time, money or space just aren't the right amount. Tomorrow is never today, and we always think "sometime soon..." seldom realizing that we are really saying "No" or at least, "Not right now."

Whatever the excuse, time just ran out for the biggest retail modeler in the world, and all the money we have probably won't bring it back.⚒

Caboose Hobbies Future Clouded By Landlord Sale

8/21/16 Update: Caboose Hobbies will close, effective September 25, 2016.

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The changes of the last decade in Denver have been significant, to say the least. Denver Union Station went from Amtrak mausoleum, to a gutted hulk, to a thriving hub of light rail and a direct connection with Denver International Airport. T-Rex completely overhauled Denver's old Valley Highway. FasTracks has nearly finished thrusting new arteries of light rail and commuter rail throughout the metroplex with revitalized neighborhoods growing and thriving again. Burnham closing and coal loads continuing to drop have shifted rail traffic and cost more than a few jobs. Looking back, it seems few things have remained unchanged.

Photo: Caboose Hobbies

Of those few things, Caboose Hobbies, Guinness-certified as the world's largest model train store, is certainly one of the most treasured by Colorado's railfan community. As a kid, I would beg to go down to Caboose Hobbies because I knew that I could find anything I wanted or needed for my layout. It was difficult to keep money in my hands if I was anywhere near 500 S. Broadway. It was just too easy to find something that I had to buy.

Caboose Hobbies has been in Denver since 1938 under the same family operation for 78 years. It gradually expanded to occupy several buildings joined together by common walls and ramps. The store has around 60 employees, some with enough experience in modeling to leave in awe all but the most seasoned model railroader. Caboose Hobbies is one of the few remaining bastions of the experienced salesperson, where expertise, knowledge and expansive selection all come together to become the model railroader's best friend.

Unfortunately, the future for the store is uncertain. Their current landlord is selling the building. While this may indeed mean that Caboose Hobbies is moving, it may not require their relocation. It probably all depends on the buyer.

So, got a friend with a few million to throw into Denver real estate?

Until more is known, Caboose Hobbies is selling a lot of their stock in an across the board sale because money is easier to carry and harder to damage. What's online is what's in the store, so if you want to make sure you get what you want, order now!



In 2015, YouTube reviewer jlwii2000 took an 11-minute stroll through the store (above). He doesn't rest his lens on anything for very long, which is why it is only 11 minutes. I couldn't get through the store in under 30 minutes unless my car was on fire in the parking lot.⚒