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Colorado’s Modern Narrow Gauge Circle By Gregory Monroe Signed w/ Dust Jacket
Colorados Modern Narrow Gauge Circle By Gregory Monroe
Hardcover With Dustjacket 96 Pages
Copyright 1994
CONTENTS
2Dedication
4Chapter 1: Colorado's Modern Narrow Gauge Circle - Its Heritage
12Chapter 2: Coal Smoke Over the Conejos
56Chapter 3: Squealing Flanges Along the Animas
80Chapter 4: Whistles Over Clear Creek
Colorado's Modern Narrow Gauge Circle is the culmination of over 12 years of photography of a most fascinating subject: Colorado's narrow gauge steam railroads. It all began in 1980 when the first trip was made to southern Colorado and narrow gauge land. Among the many photos taken showing the somewhat farby ("Fabricated, Artificial, Ridiculous and Bogus") look resulting from not being aware of backgrounds that showed modern automobiles, buildings, etc., a few were void of these modern artifacts and seemed to capture all the charm and nostalgia of the original narrow gauge.
It occurred to the author that, with a little care and planning, all the photos of the narrow gauge could have this authentic look. And so in the following years as this goal was pursued, the collection of authentic appearing photos began to grow and the idea of someday bringing them all together in a book was born.
Along the way, some cherished memories also have been acquired. The first trip to the Durango yard will always be remembered, especially that summer's night in 1980 spent wandering around the yard taking time exposures. The freedom to experience this ambience is simply not possible today on the guided tours that at times are available.
An especially cherished memory is the dark, wet September 1985 day on Cumbres Pass, with doubleheaded C&TS locomotives slipping their drivers on the wet rail, with whistles and exhaust echoing back sharply off the valley walls, and massive plumes of steam and black smoke mingling with the mist and low clouds. It was also on Cumbres that three days of the 1993 rotary snow plow action were photographed, an event that happens, on the average, about once every 10 years. And a walk through the 1940's time warp that is the Chama yard is always a pleasure.
Many photos in this book are the result of adventurous treks - both down the tracks and cross-country - in search of good photos. Dozens of miles have been hiked in the remote areas of the C&TS and D&S, in all kinds of weather from full sun to rain to winter snow. And the best camping experience possible is crawling into the sleeping bag near Osier while late afternoon thunderheads are gathering, then late at night listening to the coyote howl and the wind moan through the pines while seeing those narrow gauge rails shining in the moon light.
Colorado. The D&S ownership rids revived the Silverton line and ridership has increased to the point five trains a day are run. Four derelict locomotives have been beautifully restored and returned to service, and once again winter trains are running.
The people who operate the C&TS also understand and appreciate the meaning of the original narrow gauge. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed when out of state management wanted to erect a modern passenger terminal in Chama in lieu of the original wooden Rio Grande depot, and tear down the Cumbres snowshed. The "Friends of the C&TS", a volunteer organization, has contributed much to preserving and restoring C&TS equipment, and the C&TS has also constructed some rather authentic looking passenger coaches and is committed to restoring other sections of the line, such as the showshed at Cumbres.
All pictures are of the actual item. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
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