Kimball collection, etc at Orange Empire

We, at Orange Empire, try to have the Kimball collection open on weekends. However, we depend on volunteers to staff the building know as "Grizzly Flats Engine House" (named after the name of the Kimball's backyard railroad). Early afternoon on many weekdays there usually are volunteer tour guides available.
The SP passenger car is a full coach that was built by Barney & Smith in 1881 for the Carson & Colorado. It is probably the most original car from that era still exisiting in any collection. It was never modified except to put in a partion and second toilet when a smoking section was added in 1900.
We have three D&RGW ng freight cars on hand that are not part of the permanent collection. These have recently been repainted and the drop bottom gon is getting repairs to the doors, etc.
We are in the process of finishing up a replica of the SP turn table at Laws and adding trackage to connect it. This project and the display building were funded by contributions by Ward and Betty Kimball.
Near the "Grizzly Flats Engine House" is a display of toy trains, etc in two standard gauge baggage cars from the Rio Grande. One of these was built for the Denver & Salt Lake. The other started out as a baggage-lounge leased to the Western Pacific by the D&RG; later it was returned and converted to a baggage car.
Else where on the property are two former D&RG standard gauge box cars that were built in 1909. We got these from a tire company that once used these and other cars. It appears the US Army owned the cars between the D&RGW and the tire company.
Brian Norden
past chair OERM board of directors