Re: Salida Porter -- 20" or 24" gauge?

The Koppers Tie Plant tracks were 24 inch gauge. The plant opened in 1924 and closed in 1960. The D&RGW track into the plant was dual gauge until 1956 when the narrow gauge out of Salida was abandoned. There were some tracks in the plant that had four rails for standard gauge, three foot gauge, and twenty-four inch. I visited the plant in 1975 and the D&RGW standard gauge track was still in place. The ties for the 24 inch gauge were still there also.

The engine is on display in a Salida park by the large swimming pool. I visited the Koppers site two years ago and not much is left except the brick office building,

Bob Richardson shot a photo of the Porter in 1954.
[digital.denverlibrary.org]








Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/09/2018 08:33AM by Jerry474.