Re: History/Tech Question

Yes, the D&RG had them, too, I found one on the Lake City Branch, when I was fishing off the grade at one time. The rail brace was probably thhrown to the side as the main line from Como to Denver (Morrison was on a branch) was converted to 57 pound rail from 40 lb. rail in about 1906-1908. This may have survived on a siding or spur, but the rail braces were generally used to keep the rail in gauge on the myriad of curves on the 3' gauge. They were also used quite extensively on the curved portion of turnouts as the motion of forcing over an essentially rigid frame from a straight line can throw the track out of gauge and cause derailments. On Straight track either spikes or tie plates and spikes could do this relatively well.
The 57 lb. rail was from the C&S Standard Gauge Main line between Denver and Colorado Springs.
Rick