Narrow Gauge Railroad Discussion Forum https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/index.php Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:28:09 -0600 Phorum 5.2.20 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488810,488810#msg-488810 D&RGW Bunkhouse? (7 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488810,488810#msg-488810 www.ebay.com]

Title of photo on Ebay says it's a D&RGW related structure. Where was this located?]]> The Train Tracker Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Sun, 23 Aug 2026 21:34:48 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488809,488809#msg-488809 478 and 498... Date? (no replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488809,488809#msg-488809 www.ebay.com]

Nice duplicate slide of 478 and 498 doubleheading in what appears to be a location east of Durango, probably west of Arboles. By any chance is this the doubleheader from June 1968?]]> The Train Tracker Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Sat, 22 Aug 2026 23:37:46 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488808,488808#msg-488808 D&RGW 319 Postcard (11 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488808,488808#msg-488808 www.ebay.com]

Neat postcard photo of D&RGW 319. Looks like they put a hand lantern on the front in place of a class lamp... also, is that a toolbox on the cab roof?]]> The Train Tracker Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Sun, 23 Aug 2026 21:13:58 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488803,488803#msg-488803 Climax C/N 1533 (3 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488803,488803#msg-488803 [attachment 104547 29789-Copy-Copy.jpg]]]> J.B.Bane Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Sun, 23 Aug 2026 12:49:50 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488801,488801#msg-488801 Chama to Los Pinos 1971 (1 reply) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488801,488801#msg-488801
All one can say is how the RR has changed in the 55 years from 1971. Enjoy!

[vimeo.com]

Credit to Ian Kelly of the Friends for the original Vimeo posting.]]> Dave Boyer Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Sat, 22 Aug 2026 17:52:26 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488791,488791#msg-488791 Rio Grande Southern 20 - Winter Steam on the Durango & Silverton Video (no replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488791,488791#msg-488791
[youtu.be]]]> SLORailfanning Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Sat, 22 Aug 2026 11:29:17 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488784,488784#msg-488784 Advice on rail related museums in Hawaii? (15 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488784,488784#msg-488784
Thanks for any help.

Michael Allen]]> trainrider47 Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Sun, 23 Aug 2026 15:50:31 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488781,488781#msg-488781 Como hotel - who stayed there? (11 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488781,488781#msg-488781
Just curious if anyone has insights.
Thanks!
Kurt

2022 photo of the Como Hotel/Eating House
[attachment 104546 LO6A2209.JPG]]]> Kurt Maechner Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Sun, 23 Aug 2026 18:30:01 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488776,488776#msg-488776 Ridgway's History of Transportation in Colorado (2 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488776,488776#msg-488776
Arthur Ridgway's "History of Transportation in Colorado"]]> Elrey Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Sat, 22 Aug 2026 08:40:55 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488768,488768#msg-488768 3 ft 6 in Gauge News: Mount Barker locals say new CBH grain trains causing earthquake-like vibrations through town (10 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488768,488768#msg-488768
Quote

Residents of a small country town say a decision by Western Australia's largest grain handler to upgrade its rail fleet is starting to rattle their homes and businesses to pieces.

With the state's rail network critical to transporting the millions of tonnes of grain harvested across WA's agricultural regions each year, Co-Operative Bulk Handling (CBH) has recently upgraded its rail fleet, with 17 new locomotives and 650 wagons.

But the move has sparked turmoil in Mount Barker, about 360 km south-east of Perth, where a busy rail route runs directly through the centre of town and residents previously considered the rumbling of trains an essential part of rural life......Residents, some living as far as 5 kilometres from the tracks, have reported being woken in the night by the rumblings, or mistaking them for an earthquake.

Link to the full August 19, 2026 article on Australia's ABC News:
Mount Barker locals say new CBH grain trains causing earthquake-like vibrations through town]]> Chris Webster Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Sun, 23 Aug 2026 16:27:12 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488763,488763#msg-488763 NG Steam Rotary: new Video from the RhB (no replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488763,488763#msg-488763
Enjoy!

[youtu.be]]]> rosenth Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Fri, 21 Aug 2026 05:23:55 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488758,488758#msg-488758 New Mexico Railroad Days *Sep 26-27 2026* (no replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488758,488758#msg-488758
*Here is my video of 2926 and Rail Runner running side by side after the Route 66 event.*
[youtu.be]

[attachment 104543 FB_IMG_1787278686786.jpg]
Here is my photo at the restoration site 4/19/2026
[attachment 104544 Photo_1780279735672.jpg]]]> Dean2926 Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Thu, 20 Aug 2026 20:25:16 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488749,488749#msg-488749 Smokeless trains on the High Line (6 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488749,488749#msg-488749 Denver Post in May, 1990 says that the C&S has tried firing locomotives with coke to eliminate smoke & cinders and that it has worked fine. All that is needed is alteration to the fireboxes.

Does anyone know if these alterations were done? Wouldn't firing with coke be akin to "don't get high on your own supply" since smelting and steelmaking required coke? Thanks]]> Elrey Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Sat, 22 Aug 2026 19:01:16 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488745,488745#msg-488745 Kindig and Griffiths at 10 Below (no replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488745,488745#msg-488745 [attachment 104533 image007-Copy-Copy.jpg]]]> J.B.Bane Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Thu, 20 Aug 2026 13:07:04 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488717,488717#msg-488717 Salida Shop Building (4 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488717,488717#msg-488717 [attachment 104513 IMG_5381a.jpg]

[attachment 104514 IMG_5382a.jpg]

[attachment 104515 IMG_5383a.jpg]

And one of Caboose 0576:
[attachment 104516 IMG_5384a.jpg]]]> Dave Peterson Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Wed, 19 Aug 2026 19:42:52 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488713,488713#msg-488713 Utah and Northern Grades (no replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488713,488713#msg-488713
Here is photo of the line I have so far north of Preston, based on LIDAR and a short section of visible grade right where the red line (representing the grade) ends. The white icon at the top marks the location of this roadside sign (https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=105708) with some info on the grade.
[attachment 104512 UNgradenorthofPreston.jpg]

I should note, the red line at the bottom of the photo is the U&N from Logan, which was standard gauged. The gap between the lines is temporal until I finalize the grade there. I also seem to have found a plausible route via LIDAR going past the sign and about a mile further north, but again, land changes over time can be deceptive and have not traced that yet.]]> The Train Tracker Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Wed, 19 Aug 2026 14:48:09 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488708,488708#msg-488708 Chama yard track plans for an open-source archive demo (19 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488708,488708#msg-488708
The first demo will use a limited selection of material relating to the Chama yard, locomotives, railroad-related buildings in town, and the transition from the D&RG/D&RGW era to the C&TS. I have my own photographs from visits going back to 1981, and I’m also a long-time member of the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec. I have an HOn3 layout in my basement that is inspired by the C&TS, although it is not intended as an exact reproduction.

At the moment I’m trying to locate reasonably accurate track plans or yard diagrams of Chama from different periods. Valuation maps, station plats, engineering maps, track charts, or well-researched reconstructions would all be useful.
I have found references to:

- Eric Bracher, “Chama Track Plan,” NMRA Bulletin, June 1972
- Charlie Getz, “Chama Engine Facilities and Yard,” Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette, January/February 1997
- Mike Blazek’s Chama, Workbook Volume 14

I have not yet found historical plans that are both sufficiently detailed and available under terms suitable for an open-source demonstration.
Does anyone know of other published plans, original D&RGW material, archival holdings, or people I should contact?
References are useful even if the material cannot be reproduced. If a plan or image could be included in the public demo, I would of course need to document the source, creator, date, rights status, and required credit. I am not looking for unauthorized scans of copyrighted publications!

The goal is not to produce a definitive history of Chama in the first version. It is to create a small, carefully sourced demonstration showing how photographs, plans, locomotives, buildings, events, and personal recollections can be connected and presented. Any corrections, suggestions, or leads would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,]]> rosenth Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:31:51 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488704,488704#msg-488704 Como, description of, Post, Denver (4 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488704,488704#msg-488704
From the 1899-06-19 Denver Post from "Documentary History of the South Park Line, Vol. 2":
Ten railroad men said at the Union Depot this morning the Como was the most unlucky spot in America for a railroad superintendent. The remark was occasioned by the appearance ... of T.H. Sears, until lately trainmaster of the Santa Fe at Pueblo, but now division superintendent of the South Park at Como. C.E. Zenzinger, whose place he takes, has "thrown up the job" and comes to Denver not as healthy as when he went up and glad to get out.

The South Park from Como to Leadville was closed for nearly four months last winter and this spring. Zenzinger shouldered the work of opening the line. The work, exposure, and cold told on him, and as soon as the first train went into Leadville, he quit.

Como has been a troublesome point ever since it was made a division headquarters. It is suspended on a barren mountain slope, some 9,775 feet in elevation and is wind-swept and cold, and every superintendent in turn has pronounced it as lonely a spot as can be found.

The duties of superintendent are particularly onerous. The present assistant general superintendent, S.T, Rainey, stood it longer than any of the others, but at least [last?] he asked to be relieved. He was broken in health when he reached Denver. [ala Patrolman Mancuso?] In the past two years, there have been three superintendents [at Como]. George Thompson succumbed to the work and the climate. Zenzinger was taken from the telegraph offices in Denver and sent up, full of hope.

Even bets were offered on the South Park train this morning that Sears cannot stand the climate and the hoodoo at Como for [more than] nine months. There were no takers.]]> Elrey Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Wed, 19 Aug 2026 21:57:10 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488702,488702#msg-488702 Book review: Chasing Railroad History: Correspondence of Five Charter Members of The Rocky Mountain Railroad Club (no replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488702,488702#msg-488702 Walker Edwards was one of the founding members of the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club in (checks Como timeline) 1938, the same year that Platt-Rogers carried away the South Park Line rails. His son Daniel inherited letters from other charter members of the club to his father and compiled them into a 2020 self-published book "Chasing Railroad History." The conversations are one-sided as Walker's replies are generally not present, but they are informative nonetheless.
Walker Edwards is profiled and an editorial that he wrote for the Denver Post is included & some pictures.
Letters from Dick Kindig, Jim Gwyn, Otto Perry & Jack Thode to Walker Edwards are the meat of the book and provided me with a window into the lives and character of these characters that I was too late to the club to meet & enjoy, much less understand. Especially the letters of Jack Thode captured the lengths that he went to to rescue useful archival material that was being binned during the move to the "black box" (from Stout Street to the Park Central complex in 1973). Also the lengths that he went to dealing with Josie Crum helping with her Rio Grande Southern book, which became quite contentious.
For me, after handling many items of EDM at the Richardson Library, it was interesting to get a little insight into why certain material went to the Denver Library, History Colorado & the CRRM. As a photographer the evolution of equipment, film & techniques was relevant, & as a trader of public domain music ala The Grateful Dead, the picture trading economy of the club resonated.
Like Dan's "A Documentary History of the South Park Line" books, the focus is on words, not pictures. Thode, for instance, writes about collecting George Beam's unappreciated glass plates and providing the words to make his two-part Beam books.
Before I bought a copy of the book, signed by Dan Edwards, I tried to track a copy down at the Richardson Library, but there was none shelved or cataloged. My evaluation of my $20 investment: Worth it. YMMV, of course.]]> Elrey Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Wed, 19 Aug 2026 06:03:49 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488689,488689#msg-488689 Two Locomotive Parts Kits (no replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488689,488689#msg-488689 [attachment 104495 SVRy250and251dismatledforshippingwithcabsandtendersonflatsNRHSEmlawCol-Copy-Copy.jpg]]]> J.B.Bane Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Tue, 18 Aug 2026 16:26:55 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488657,488657#msg-488657 Oiled rails, revenge, and a struggle to Cumbres - 483 and 492 August 15 and 16, 1966 (20 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488657,488657#msg-488657
On Monday, August 15, 1966 483 and 492 gathered up the 64 flats and open end gondolas brought from Farmington to Carbon Junction and Durango by 483 on August 11 and 12 with the addition of 3 box cars, likely Weidman lumber loads, making a 68-car train, including the caboose. Word about the resumption of narrow gauge operations had gone out widely and drawn railfans from far, including Russ Sperry from California and Jim Marcus from Ohio. I followed the train from Durango to Carbon Junction where the engines picked up the 30+ cars set out on Friday, and started up the 2 % grade of Bocea Hill. I drove ahead and waited at the highway crossing near the top of the grade. I waited, and waited some more, but the train didn't come. I could see a lot of smoke in the distance along with various whistle signals. After an extended wait the train did come, with the engines working hard. Noticeably, they were carrying bags of sand on the running boards. I didn't have a clue about what happened, but I eventually I found out that Jim Marcus had oiled the rails some distance above Carbon Junction, and set up his movie camera to film the engines spinning their drivers. Predictably the engines lost traction and the train stalled. Numerous attempts at re-starting the train with copious use of sand were unsuccessful. With the engines out of sand, the train finally backed down to Carbon Junction, where bagged sand was delivered by the Durango yard crew. The next run up the hill successfully made it past the oiled section.

483 and 492 are approaching the highway crossing

[attachment 104487 Posta-21.jpg]

The train between Arboles and Gato

[attachment 104488 483bocea-16.jpg]

Steaming along the San Juan river approaching Gato

[attachment 104489 483bocea-162.jpg]

[attachment 104490 483bocea-17.jpg]

[attachment 104491 483bocea-18.jpg]

(to be continued)]]> Olaf Rasmussen Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:15:36 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488645,488645#msg-488645 Flag Day at the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Museum (no replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488645,488645#msg-488645
[youtu.be]]]> The Train Tracker Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Mon, 17 Aug 2026 17:31:52 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488643,488643#msg-488643 Iconic Trees on the Grande (20 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488643,488643#msg-488643
On the RGS, there was a lesser known tree called the "Crooked Tree" at Hesperus which was featured in numerous pictures including one with 42 and the scrap train. I've always wondered what became of that tree - did it fall, was it cut?
[digital.denverlibrary.org]

There was also a single, large pine that stood just west of Willow Creek, prominent in several Ernie Robart photos:
[ngtrainpics.photoshelter.com]
[ngtrainpics.photoshelter.com]

Anybody else know of other prominent trees or natural landmarks along the D&RGW and surrounding railroads?]]> The Train Tracker Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Thu, 20 Aug 2026 09:17:00 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488642,488642#msg-488642 Of Colorado Narrow Gauge Interest - Railroadiana Collectors Assoc (1 reply) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488642,488642#msg-488642
The first is by Cres Fleming, who I recognize is with the San Juan Hist Soc in Silverton, and expert on the Mears Silver passes. His article is about Cripple Creek RR lanterns, including the F&CC, Midland Terminal, CS&CCD.

The second is by Dan Richins with an article on D&RG and RGW Passes, 1890-1908. This is super if you're into passes, with photos of more than 80 passes in an article spanning more than a dozen pages.

Blatant plug - I've been a member of this group for a number of years. Their publication is top notch, with experienced folks willing to answer questions if you have an artifact you're wondering about.

[attachment 104483 Screenshot_20260817-1907132.jpg]

[attachment 104484 Screenshot_20260817-1908012.jpg]

[attachment 104485 Screenshot_20260817-1907482.jpg]]]> tgbcvr Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:39:06 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488636,488636#msg-488636 C&T 150 Anniversary of Colorado Statehood with 168 and 463 (2 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488636,488636#msg-488636 youtu.be]

On August 1, 2026, the 150th anniversary of Colorado’s statehood, we were in Antonito, Colorado where the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad was going to run a double header to Osier. The previous day, D&RG 168 pulled the historic consist to Big Horn, but today it was going to be joined by K-27 463, the first time this season it has been used!]]> Yard Limit Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Wed, 19 Aug 2026 05:04:33 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488632,488632#msg-488632 C&S 70/USA21 Question (6 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488632,488632#msg-488632
[www.ebay.com]]]> CVR220 Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Tue, 18 Aug 2026 03:22:55 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488630,488630#msg-488630 Rowdy/R.J. Yates (11 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488630,488630#msg-488630
My dad (Robin/R.J./Rowdy) sent me a few pictures. I wanted to share with the forum!! The picture of #492 on the bridge is south of Durango. It is the extra west at Cedar Hill, New Mexico. It was taken on 08/23/66. The fireman in the cab is my dad. The picture of "the crew" was the #484 extra, taken on 02/12/67. He identified the fellas in the picture (left to right) as Mayer, Glasscock, Stevenson, Gibbs, and my dad, R.J. Yates. It was taken at Gato, Colorado.

He has thousands more. I just need to stay on him.


Thanks kindly,


K.C. Yates
[attachment 104477 DadI.jpg]
[attachment 104478 DadIII.jpg]]]> kcyates Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Sat, 22 Aug 2026 15:35:34 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488614,488614#msg-488614 Commission meeting Report and Video for 08/15/2026 (17 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488614,488614#msg-488614
Report is here: August 15 report

The report has a link to the video, but if you just want to get right to the video,
head off to YouTube video of the meeting

2027 schedule is discussed. Nice to know the replacement pavilion on Cumbres is underway.

Enjoy!]]> Sam Seiber Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Thu, 20 Aug 2026 21:11:04 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488601,488601#msg-488601 Rio Grande Southern 74 - A Poor Steamer? (8 replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488601,488601#msg-488601 The Train Tracker Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:07:57 -0600 https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488594,488594#msg-488594 Profile Maps (no replies) https://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,488594,488594#msg-488594 [attachment 104474 profile1bakercitysvry-Copy-Copy.jpg]
[attachment 104475 profile2bowenvalleysvry-Copy-Copy.jpg]]]> J.B.Bane Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum Sun, 16 Aug 2026 12:12:25 -0600