Como - A Week of Highs and Lows

As many of you can guess, it was a busy week in Como. While many are already aware that KMRy #4 broke her cylinder head on Friday, I would hate to have that one event over shadow the great work and progress our volunteers made this week in Como.

First we need to acknowledge all the work that was completed by our shop crew of Jerry Huck, Bob Schoppe, Craig Vanderbough and Gary Nickerson who completed many of the repairs to KMRy #4 that have been on our list for a while including repairs to the air pump and air lines along with much of steam and air “plumbing”. Add to this the installation of an electrical system and a number of other repairs.


Como Roundhouse crew Bob Schoppe, Craig Vanderbough and Gary Nickerson seen here with SPRS Director and Como Hotel owner David Tompkins.

However, not all the activity was taking place inside the roundhouse. In fact; far from it. Outside the volunteers continued work on building more trackage and also installed the roundhouse door posts that are required to stop the open roundhouse door from blowing around in the winds of the South Park; which can be very common.

We also had a significant event take place when the first support post (seen below) for the long awaited water tower was erected on the original concrete footings from the 1930s.



Of course, our low point for the week came on Friday when a cross head wedge broke on KMRy #4 allowing the piston to travel too far and to break the cylinder head. Unfortunately this will put #4 out of service for this season.(Photo from cozephyr)



Boreas Pass RR Day is still planned this summer for August 21st. While KMRy will not be available to give rides to the general public, we will have a few motors cars on site polishing up the new rails in Como and the Denver Brass will once again be onsite giving musical performances for the visitors.

Plans are already coming together to get #4 repaired so we can look forward to having her back under steam and operational again in 2022. However, of course, NONE of this would be possible without the support of our volunteers seen below and for for the donations from our members and supports all across this country and a couple of other countries as well.

If you would like to help support the KMRy #4 repair work, please consider a donation to the South Park Rail Society. Donations can be sent to:

South Park Rail Society
2065 Sicily Circle
Longmont, CO 80503

Thank You everyone for your support of The Como Project


The Como Track Crew: front row left to right, Michael Bottlmey, David Kings, second row, Jimmy Ostega, Bob Schoppe, Tim Frade, Bryan Burton, Steve Schweighofer, Patricia Tamalis, Catherine Woodham, Marge Schabel, Jim Scoville, Bob Revis, Tom Lawson, top row, Dan Silbaugh, Alex Hois, Pat Mauro and Jeff Ramsey. Not in photo, Joey Knous, Chris Tome, Chip Sherman, Gary Nickerson, Jim Joros, Jacob Sharpton, James McKay.


The Como water tank construction crew: Chris Tome, Joey Knous, Bob Revis and Dan Silbaugh.