Re: Climax Branch water tank
| December 17, 2012 09:10PM |
The Union Pacific indeed dismantled the Leadville branch from a little before the line crossed McWethy Drive to just past Poplar Street (a total of 1.84 miles), where the LC&S connecting track is still intact with some stored LC&S cars. The Leadville Mineral Belt Trail uses most of the grade between Poplar and McWethy (which is highly recommended, 3 miles of uphill for 7 mile cruise downhill on a paved bike loop trail if you go the right way. The trail is built on old C&S (LMB branch), D&RGW, and CM grades which connected the mines above Leadville. Also included is a great historical narrative at the many mine and railroad locations encountered on the loop.)
This trail could be rerouted if need be, but restoration of the Leadville yard wouldn't require the transfer to be rebuilt, just a general spruce up of the current LC&S facilities and yard area. It would be great if 641 could steam again and the transfer could be rebuilt, but it would cost $ and time, but it could realistically be done.
Current end of track near McWethy street. Taken from the Mineral Belt Trail.
Alex
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/2012 09:11PM by southparkline1.
This trail could be rerouted if need be, but restoration of the Leadville yard wouldn't require the transfer to be rebuilt, just a general spruce up of the current LC&S facilities and yard area. It would be great if 641 could steam again and the transfer could be rebuilt, but it would cost $ and time, but it could realistically be done.
Current end of track near McWethy street. Taken from the Mineral Belt Trail.
Alex
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/2012 09:11PM by southparkline1.
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.