Photo References for Model Railroad Building
posted April 22, 2024
Mike Massee has made available a series of photos of natural rock formations and other natural habitats to use as references for your model railroad layout. Currently he has: Vasquez Rocks County Park natural area mid-spring; Tehachapi summer; and Durango and Silverton fall colors, Animas Canyon, and San Juan Mountains. Click here.
Saratoga, WY Depot/Museum
posted August 13, 2023
Your RMRHS webmaster recently visited Saratoga, WY and spent some time at their Depot/Museum. They have artifacts from diverse areas of interest (not just railroads). Click here for a brief post and some more photos.
Centennial, WY Depot/Museum
posted August 13, 2023
Your RMRHS webmaster recently visited Centennial, WY and spent some time at their Depot/Museum. They have artifacts from diverse areas of interest (not just railroads). Click here for a brief post and some more photos.
Midland Depot in Divide, CO
posted June 11, 2023
Over the weekend, your RMRHS webmaster discovered the Midland Depot in Divide, CO. There's a Coalition in Divide that is working on restoring and opening this 1903 depot. Click here for a brief post and a photo of the back side.
Golden Spike Sesquicentennial 2019
posted May 10, 2023
Today is the 154th Anniversary of the Golden Spike at Promontory, Utah. Your webmaster attended the grand 150th anniversary celebration back in 2019 called Spike150. The event spanned a few days; story and photos are here: 5/9/2019 Big Boy and #844 in Ogden, 5/10/2019 at Promontory, and 5/12/2019 #4014 and #844 depart Ogden.
First Train into Red Mountain Town
posted January 16, 2023
This is a photo of the first train into Red Mountain Town, CO taken in 1888. The locomotive is the Silverton Railroad #100. The photo has been colorized by Ted Kierscey and was posted on the Facebook group "Railroads of the San Juan Mountains" (generally, southwest Colorado). From their Facebook page: "This is a preservation Group for anything related to the Railroads of the San Juan Mountains of Colorado: Denver & Rio Grande, Denver & Rio Grande Western, Rio Grande Southern, Silverton Railroad, Silverton Northern, and the Silverton Gladstone & Northernly Railroad. Anyone can see what's posted. Check out the group here.
Castle Rock Museum is in old D&RG Depot
posted January 4, 2023
Following the RMRHS Board meeting in Castle Rock yesterday, several attendees visited the Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum which is housed in the old D&RG depot. Visit ToShinyRails.com for more photos.
14 Beautiful U.S. Train Trips To Experience In 2023
posted December 28, 2022
TravelAwaits.com posted a recent article: 14 Beautiful U.S. Train Trips To Experience In 2023. Six trips are in, near, or through the Rocky Mountains area: Santa Fe's Adventure Train, Rockies To The Red Rocks, Durango & Silverton Railroad, Southwest Chief (Amtrak), Grand Canyon Railway, and Verde Canyon Railroad.
Merry Christmas Everybody!
posted December 28, 2022
This image was posted by Richard Crabtree on the Facebook group Railroads of the San Juan Mountains. Check it out if you're on Facebook.
Moffat Road Railroad Museum
posted November 7, 2022
The Moffat Road Railroad Museum recently received Best Museum winner and Best Family Entertainment finalist in Grand County, CO. Visit their website.
Steamboat Springs Depot
posted September 25, 2022
Your RMRHS.org webmaster recently visited the railroad depot in Steamboat Springs, CO. It was built in 1909 by the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, but rail service ended by April of 1968, and by 1977 the building housed a theater. You'll appreciate what's inside today. For more story and photos, click here.
Georgetown Loop Railroad
posted August 27, 2022
Your RMRHS.org webmaster recently visited the Georgetown Loop Railroad in Georgetown, CO. Turns out it was Wild West Days at the railroad, and you can imagine what that means with gunfire, women of all manner of repute, and the occasional train robbery. The hour-plus ride covers about 4 miles in beautiful Colorado mountain country from Devil's Gate to Silver Plume, and back. For more story and photos, click here.
Colorado Railroad Museum
posted August 21, 2022
Your RMRHS.org webmaster recently visited the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, CO. It was a great couple of hours enjoying a 15-minute train ride and exploring quite a collection of historic full-scale equipment. For more story and photos, click here.
Barrel Donation to the Colorado Model Railroad Museum
posted September 19, 2020
Recently we were given two 50-gallon barrels that date from around 1900 to 1910. We gave one to the Colorado Model Railroad Museum. Details...
Cumbres and Toltec's Geology Special, September 12th, 11am MDT, online
posted August 1, 2020
Rocks and Railroading: Cumbres and Toltec's annual Geology Special. Jamie Foster (RMRHS webmaster) and his grandson took this excursion in 2019. It was crazy good for folks who like trains and geology! Re-take the trip with Jamie via photos and commentary. Details...
Colorado Fall Colors by Speeder Part 1, August 1st, 11am MDT, online
posted July 25, 2020
Shortly after moving to Colorado, Jamie joined an MOW speeder excursion that spent a week running on the Leadville Colorado and Southern, the Cumbres and Toltec, and some of the San Luis & Rio Grande. Join us for an online view of what that trip looked like through photos and commentary. This will be Part 1. Part 2 comes as part of the program on August 15th. Details...
Royal Gorge Route Railroad, July 25th, 11am MDT, online
posted July 21, 2020
Having been in Colorado a few years now, Jamie has ridden the Royal Gorge Route Railroad a couple of times. Let him show you what it's like with photos and commentary. This is part of a "Parlor Car Chats" program that Jamie's been running online for the San Luis Obispo (CA) Railroad Museum. Online and free. Details...
Buena Vista Heritage: RailFest 2020, July 18th
posted June 30, 2020
Please join Buena Vista Heritage for a FREE, online version of RailFest on July 18th, 2020. Details...
UP No. 4014 at Limon, CO November 2019
posted May 27, 2020
Wayne Kemp took this photograph of Union Pacific's No. 4014 "Big Boy" leaving Limon, CO on a cold Sunday morning in November of 2019.
'Game of Thrones' author George RR Martin just bought a historic American railroad he wants to restore for sightseeing, film shoots, and even escape rooms on rails
posted May 26, 2020
The railroad station that serves Santa Fe, New Mexico isn't completely abandoned, but it's seen better days.
Twice daily, Amtrak's Southwestern Chief rolls through on its journey from Chicago to Los Angeles via a town called Lamy, a full 18 miles from the New Mexico capital and historic town square. It's a quintessential stop for American railfans young and old, as well as acclaimed author George R.R. Martin.
Along with two other investors, the "A Song of Ice and Fire" writer purchased a historic railroad spur connecting Lamy with Santa Fe that's sat unused for decades ever since it met the same fate as many another American railroads following the invention of the Interstate Highway Station. By 2022, the trio hopes to restore sightseeing service, among other projects.
Complete article.
Georgetown Loop Railroad: New Web Site and 2020 Schedule
posted May 14, 2020
The Georgetown Loop Railroad has a new website and a schedule for 2020 that starts on May 22nd.
Corkscrew Gulch Turntable
posted May 14, 2020
Check out this Railroad Glory Days article about a turntable on the mainline of the Silverton Railroad, the Corkscrew Gulch Turntable.
Cumbres & Toltec to Reopen June 13
posted May 1, 2020
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is currently planning to be open for the 2020 season starting Saturday, June 13, 2020.
Royal Gorge Route Railroad Reopening
posted May 1, 2020
The Royal Gorge Route Railroad tentatively is slated to reopen May 23 with three departures per day. Read article.
DIY Kids' Backyard Trains
posted April 30, 2020
Check out these videos of Larry Mything's backyard kids' train.
D&SNGR Significantly Expands Locomotive Fleet with Acquisition of Four 101-Class Diesel Engines From Legendary White Pass & Yukon Route Railway in Alaska
posted April 14, 2020 (Facebook post)
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad today announced it has purchased four 101-class narrow-gauge diesel engines from the legendary White Pass & Yukon Route Railway (WP&YR) in Skagway, Alaska. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The acquisition, underway since last September and finalized in January, increases the company's roster of diesel locomotives from six to 10, facilitates the pursuit of incremental revenue-generating business opportunities, and provides the railroad with greater operational depth and maintenance flexibility throughout multiple seasons of the year. Steam will remain the primary motive power on the D&SNGRR line.
Locomotives Nos. 101 and 107 began their multi week journey to Durango on April 11, when they were loaded on a barge in Skagway. The other two units are slated to be selected later in 2020, with transportation to Durango scheduled to occur in the second quarter of 2021. Initially Nos. 101 and 107 will be made available in support of the railroad's maintenance of way (MOW) activities, and on its short-trip Cascade Canyon Express summer excursions.
Official Press Release: https://bit.ly/3em1TSS
Cheyenne Ornament
posted April 13, 2020
Last year the Cheyenne Historic Preservation Board created an ornament of the State Capitol and sold them as a fundraiser for the Historic Airport Fountain here, a project they have been working on for almost a decade. It sold very well! This year they are looking to do an ornament of the UP Depot clock tower and Big Boy; see DRAFT image.
Last year there was quite a rush on the ornaments and they are trying to plan ahead this year for any larger orders. We wanted to reach out to you to see if there was interest in ordering and at what quantities.
If this interests you, please contact the RMRHS Webmaster with how many you'd be likely to buy (last year's were $25 each). RMRHS may be interested in getting a quantity for our members and friends.
