Video Vault: Colorado Steam Mecca

Time to blow some dust off this video from the crypt vault. While I've not seen this recently, I have no doubt in my mind that this video used to be available on VHS, and trained eyes will be able to spot significant differences between the railroads captured on this DVD and their present state (like #346), which are improvements, for the most part.



Seeing the Colorado Railroad Museum as it was in the 80s brought back some memories from my visits and volunteer work. For those with the ability, volunteering there can change your world.◊

Colorado Railroad Museum Vlog Debuts, Builds Following

I just found something very encouraging being done at the Colorado Railroad Museum. For many, many years, the museum has produced a periodical called the Iron Horse News, started by their founder, Robert W. Richardson. They now have turned it into a video blog (Vlog) or video magazine. Take a look at the latest [YT] to see the improvement, then visit their channel on YouTube and subscribe to the museum to get new updates!



I was gratified to hear that Rio Grande K-37 Mikado #491 is finally, officially part of the museum. Long has the lonely example of the fabled narrow gauge 2-8-2 class suffered like her sisters from the weather while the smaller, lighter, and more versatile K-36 engines (480 - 489) remain in top condition because of their usefulness to narrow gauge circle, heritage railroads like the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. The heavy, rigid frame of the K-37 engines tend to put more wear and tear on the bridges and curves. While the 491 is not slated for full restoration, this change in ownership was the first step in that direction. Here's hoping!

Great work, Donald and all the staff at the museum, especially the volunteers!◊

BNSF Heritage Hoppers

Heritage fleets just keep on getting bigger. This year, BNSF has finally gotten with the program and produced a half-hearted "heritage hopper" harem.


Photo by John Csoka

It's almost as if they looked at UP and NS and said, "Oh, alright. Here. But don't expect us to paint them snazzy colors or anything."

What? You mean like these?



Both photos by Keith Schmidt.

The models were created by MTH, but probably could be adapted by the prototypic Union Pacific. A look at some concepts from the model railroading world might just show us what's possible for BNSF to try, if they're ever so inclined. In particular, Lionel (yes, that Lionel, 3 rails and all) designed some passable heritage designs that would catch anyone's eye.

Burlington 1848

Burlington Northern 1970

Frisco 1876

Great Northern 1889

Northern Pacific 1870

Santa Fe 1996

Above 6 photos Lionel.com LLC. (Catalog)

As with Union Pacific, the road numbers of the locomotives signify a year. In this case, it's based on the year the railroad started (save Santa Fe), rather than the year they joined the system. While there are no prototypical or "real" engines for these models (at least, not yet), I have to admit that when the design is scaled up, they look pretty sharp. To wit:



Which is your favorite? What about a Colorado & Southern locomotive? Do you think UP should start painting heritage hoppers based on the success of the Heritage Fleet?◊

Final Departure For Robert LeMassena

Robert LeMassena photo by Matt Isaacks

Robert LeMassena died on October 1st, 2013, 311 days before his 100th birthday. His published works preserving the history of Colorado's railroads and in particular the Rio Grande forms the cornerstone on which much of my work is based. My library card has a permanent groove in it from repeated loans of Colorado's Mountain Railroads and Rio Grande: To the Pacific!, two of his Sundance books that command top dollar at train shows and book retailers. It's unfortunate that I never had the opportunity to convey my appreciation of his work while he was still with us.

Earlier this month, Nathan Holmes of DRGW.net had this to say,

Bob left us a great deal of his amassed knowledge through his books - the most notable to most Rio Grande fans being "Rio Grande... to the Pacific!" RGTTP is an invaluable piece of work, and is still my go-to reference for the Grande's often convoluted historical timeline.

Holmes also speculated that the Colorado Railroad Museum will have a memorial event of some kind in the near future.

Trains magazine also presented an obituary in its news wire, noting his 35 bylines and numerous stories for the magazine dating from 1963. His lifelong passion for railroads led to many stories, op-ed pieces and industry articles, with much of his work centered on steam locomotive design and operation, which was a natural considering his bachelors degree in mechanical engineering.

Colorado and railroad historians have lost a true "steam buff" in Robert LeMassena. From the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western yard in East Orange, New Jersey in his youth to the high mountain passes and thundering articulated locomotives in the Colorado high country and beyond, his long life was spent in the pursuit of his passion for railroads and the engines that powered them. Few were so lucky as he in this regard. I wish him Godspeed on his final departure.◊