Re: Climax Branch water tank

Here is a photo of it titled "going to scrap". It is still in BN paint with BNSF lettering and the numberboards removed. Whether it actually made it to scap I do not know. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=181329

I contacted Jason Midyette and the last he said he knew was it was out of service at the BNSF Seattle shops and it may have been scrapped a few years ago but he is not sure. It would be a pleasant suprise if it turned up intact but there is a good chance it is razor blades.

Yes, the LC&S did rebuild 1918, and the unit looks quite a bit different now with the low nose. 1714 still seems to get the bulk of the work. Now if we could get 641 operating via a friends like group. The water tower could also use some restoration work as well as some other equipment donated by BN that is not in regular service. Maybe the rehab of some track west of the current terminus could also be a project as well as a restoration to the Leadville yard facilities (i.e. depot, freight depot, yard trackage, roundhouse, & maybe some replication of historical structures such as the coal loader.

IMHO, the LC&S is a very undervalued operation, but the route is absolutely spectacular, and it is in a very good location between Summit and Eagle counties.Leadville's rich mining history coupled with the railroading history of the area and the C&S Climax branch & the entire highline route in general, make for a great trip.
Alex