Re: Osier Siding in the early 1970's . . .

The Rio Grande removed the west siding switch as well as the switch to the coal platform sometime in the 1960's. My guess is the frogs or points wore out and the tracks weren't needed so the switches were pulled. Originally the west switch at Osier was right at the end of the big curve across Osier Creek. Eastbound trains rounding that sharp curve and immediately hitting the switch and frog might have created a derailment problem, especially with a worn frog.

In the early 1970's the coal platform switch was cut back in and in 1972 there was a "Restroom Boxcar" spotted there. One would assume a nice septic system was installed about the same time. Later on the Osier depot building was remodeled as a modern restroom building and a souvenir shop boxcar was spotted there during the summers. Once the new dining hall was built, the depot restrooms and box car gift shop were closed and discontinued.

edit.....The gift shop boxcar was part of the regular train consist in the mid-late 1970's. It was placed on the spur when the "2 Train" format started in 1980.

The Osier siding remained a spur until the Two Train format came into being in 1980. When the switch we restored it was moved east to a location adjacent to the water tank. This eliminated any future problems with the switch being right at the end of the curve, plus with the road crossing the tracks, another crossing did not need to be installed.

Russo will remember on his famous "Moonlight Excursion" in the early 1970's that in order to run around the train at Osier, they had to "drop" the entire train by the engine at Osier. An interesting maneuver at best, downright scary in the dark.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/27/2019 12:28PM by Earl.