Jerry said:
The C&TS and Georgetown operations can be a trip back in time.
How do you manage to take a "trip back in time" in Georgetown?
Whenever I am at the Loop, I see one side of the Canyon missing -- it was blasted away for the Interstate. The train runs thru a forest full of trees, something that was not there when I look at historical photos of the C&S. To take a ride, I first drive into a big parking lot and park near a "contemporary" style building. I board the train at a boarding platform that never existed "back in time". The train leaves this station by *backing* out and passing under a very modern steel bridge, featuring modern concrete piers, modern concrete abutments, welded (not riveted) construction and made from a type of steel grade that had not yet been invented when the C&S operated over this alignment. To get to this bridge, we first loop around the parking lot, which lets everyone on the train look down at all the tourists & their cars. (That part of the trip reminds me of riding Disney's Monorail out over Disney's parking lots.)
The train proceeds up the line over very smooth track that was obviously built and maintained using mechanized equipment, not hand labor like the C&S used. The ties are noticeably different from the ties the C&S used, as is the rail -- it is a much heavier weight. The train passes over a few more bridges, none of which are C&S bridges. Assuming I remember correctly, one of these bridges used to be a turntable -- how historically correct is that? The train passes a "mine tour" boarding platform that never existed in C&S times, then briefly parallels a bike trail and interstate highway -- the sound of the locomotive is often drowned out by the "bbrrrapppp!" of downshifting semi trucks.. Finally, the train makes it way into a terminal that never existed in C&S times.
A few moments after arriving, the locomotive will run around the train, make a brake test, then back itself down the mountain. For some reason, I can't find any pictures of C&S locomotives backing down the line (with or without beartrap).
Where can I get a pair of those rose-colored glasses you must be wearing?
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Despite all these modern details, the passengers onboard the train all seem very happy. That is what really matters, not the color of #9's roof.
--
Chris Webster
[www.speakeasy.org]