Ridgway news

Just an update on what's going on here in Ridgway. Besides rain and snow today.

1) Museum opened for the season on May 1st.

2) We are grading for the new 250 foot display track, in anticipation of Loco 36 in 2017. We have new ties on site, along with rail and spikes, we hope to build the track the first week in June at our annual railroad work week. Anyone who wants to come help lay track, or other preservation projects, come visit - info on our website. We supply lunch. If we finish the track by Thursday evening, we may go lay track in front of the Guston Depot on Red Mountain on Friday, and maybe paint the depot.

3) Another new project (for us): For the last 10 years Lowell Ross has been researching and fabricating a re-creation of RGS Inspection Car 1, which was built in 1913, used by Superintendent W. D. Lee and eventually wrecked about 1925It was based on a Model T Ford. Lowell's fabrication work and documentation is amazing! Anyhow, he was unable to complete the project and we acquired it about a month or two ago, along with his research, drawings, and all parts. The mechanical part is mostly done, we mostly have to do the bodywork. We hope to have the project finished and on display in the summer of 2016. It will be fully operational. Thanks, Lowell, we hope to hold to your very high standards!

4) Steady progress on the RGS locomotive 36 project, with most engineering drawings complete and some fabrication work underway. The project is on schedule. For updates on these and other projects, join the museum and get our informative monthly e-newsletter.

5) We will be running Goose 4 at D&S Railfest in August. All that remains is to finish off getting our insurance company and their insurance company to agree on a few details, the D&S is already advertising that 4 and 5 will be running together at the event. This may be the only time GG4 carries passengers on excursions through the San Juan Mountains for a good while, we can't afford to do this very often.

Stop by and see us this summer!