Re: Getting to Vance Junction Coal pockets

The roadbed from the Telluride Branch, just across the bridge was drivable in the 1970's, but now you have to enter from the Main Line to Ophir. Just continue on up the road after crossing the steam at Illium and you will see the road/ grade coming in from the right. This road continues on the roadbed almost to Ames and then turns right and uphill. The Vance Jct area was all cinder ballast and had little underbrush. Don't forget the tender body across the road from Illium. It was from a derailment on the Telluride Branch. Just realized it was in 2006 when I last drove in.


Bob Meckley