|
Rails Around Gold Hill by Morris Cafky 1955 DJ LIMITED SIGNED EDITION #1869
Rails Around Gold Hill by Morris Cafky 1955 DJ LIMITED SIGNED EDITION #1869
SEE PHOTOS FOR DAMAGE TO DUST JACKET
Hard Cover with Dust Jacket (Dust jacket is a little rough)
Copyright 1955
Limited SIGNED Edition #1869
INCLUDES 6 MAPS IN BACK POCKET
Many maps, fold out maps, charts, & photos.
BRIGHT, SHINING, YELLOW GOLD during the sixty-odd years since 1891, the Cripple Creek Gold Mining District of Colorado produced nearly half a billion dollars worth of the yellow metal. In so doing, this colorful and romantic region brought into being scores of rich mines (the names of many of which were once household words), eleven reduction mills and smelters, dozens of private fortunes, over six thriving towns, and-last but far from least-three remarkable mountain railroads whose story was far more colorful than that of many a transcontinental.
Gold Hill was a prominent landmark, rising to over 10,250 feet elevation, not far from the city of Cripple Creek, Colorado. Three separate railroads, approaching the city from the north, east, and south, eventually laid a network of rails which completely surrounded this landmark, and suggested the title of this book.
There was the tragic Florence & Cripple Creek. Approaching from the south, it was in its heyday the busiest narrow gauge railroad, mile for mile, in the colorful history of the West; but it was destined to be washed down the river, both figuratively and literally. From the east came the spectacular Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek District - the world-renowned "Short Line" - a veritable triumph of mountain railroad engineering. A standard gauge rival of the F&CC, the Short Line's birth, youthful competitive victories, heavily trafficked maturity and untimely dissolution all occurred within a span of twenty tumultuous years. And from the north came the Midland Terminal, sole heir to the once mighty Colorado Midland's traditions-it outlived both its Gold Camp rivals and became, before abandonment, a startling example of 19th century bonanza railroading transplanted into the Atomic Age.
Their story is almost unbelievable, yet true. This thrilling book is not only the record of three Colorado railroads, but also an unforgettable tribute to the age of steam, wooden cars, and precious metals. It is the story of three railroads that were truly different, as might be expected of transportation agencies so closely integrated with a mining region so colorful, yet so different from any other in the American West. What other mining region can lay claim to the only Spanish bullfight staged in the United States-or what other railroad ran an excursion to such an event? What other mining camp ever raised cain about publicity about its own red light district, or named that street after the author of such publicity-and what other railroads participated so closely in such a civic crisis? What other railroads succeeded in killing their own president and general manager in a head-on collision? Certainly few others have retained such a hold on the imaginations of those who saw them operate, their former employees, and uncounted numbers of persons who never heard the shrill cry of their whistles or the sharp bark of their exhausts.
Mr. Cafky's enthusiasm for his subject, his attention to accurate historical and mechanical detail, plus color and romance, coupled with an easily readable style, enable the reader to relive the past of three railroads literally born with gold spoons in their mouths. Whether you prefer incidents of the rail, corporate history, operating methods and problems, or motive power and rolling stock, this story will hold your interest until the final page.
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.
Shipping charges
Postage rates quoted are for shipments to the US only. Ebay Global shipping charges are shown. These items are shipped to Kentucky and then ebay ships them to you. Ebay collects the shipping and customs / import fees. For direct postage rates to these countries, send me an email. Shipping to Canada and other countries varies by weight.
Payment options
Payment must be received within 10 days. Paypal is accepted.
Terms and conditions
All sales are final. Returns accepted if item is not as described. Contact us first. No warranty is stated or implied. Please e-mail us with any questions before bidding.
Thanks for looking at our items.
| 
