Colorado calls

I’m off to one of my favorite places in the world this week, Colorado. The very mention of the state evokes visions of narrow gauge Mikados fighting for every inch of rail, Rio Grande F7s summiting the Rockies, and UP action on the Moffat Road west of Denver. It is every railfan’s dream come true with plenty of freight and passenger action and amazing stories. I’ve been a visitor since 1987, and for the last 10 years or so, I’ve made an annual pilgrimage to enjoy some aspect of Colorado railroading. Earlier this year, as part of our 75^th anniversary celebration, we sponsored tours of Colorado’s amazing steam and diesel narrow and standard gauge tourist railroads and museums. It was so successful that we’re doing that again in 2016. Details at www.Specialinteresttours.net.

Cumbres & Toltec Mikado No. 487 pulls a short consist upgrade near Coxo, N.M., in July 2008. Jim Wrinn photo

Because of all the interest in Colorado, we’re announcing a special 100-page tribute, Colorado Railroads, set for release next April. It will be packed with stories, photos, and maps of the great railroads in this state. We’ll see this through with a Colorado Railroads DVD and a Colorado Railroads app, perfect for helping visitors find whatever they’re seeking in fantastic railroad adventures.

This week, I’m in Denver to speak for the Intermountain Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. I’m looking forward to this visit with old and new friends and my host, renowned documentary film maker Rich Luckin, who is currently producing a new PBS documentary sponsored by Trains about the famous 20^th Century Limited.  It’s set for release in early 2016.

Narrow Gauge Mikados sleep through the night at the Durango & Silverton roundhouse in Durango, Colo. Jim Wrinn photo

While I’m in Colorado, I plan to make a side trip to Cheyenne, Wyo., to visit the Union Pacific steam shop, where work is nearing completion to restore 4-8-4 No. 844. We’ll get an update on that and also find out the latest on the revival of Big Boy No. 4014.

I’ll also trek down the famous Joint Line, that amazingly busy piece of track between Denver and Pueblo. If you’ve never been before, the Joint Line is great railroading. For much of the journey between Denver and Colorado Springs, the southbound track hugs the western side of the valley and the northbound track is on the eastern side. I’m eager to see the mainline action there, and I might just run into videographer Kevin Gilliam, who is producing our Colorado DVD.

I’ll end up just over the border in Chama, N.M., at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, the embodiment of 1920s railroading in the San Juan Mountains. I plan to spend a few days there gathering photos, doing interviews, and taking in the season-ending grand finale tripleheader photo freight.

So, whether you plan to visit with us or on your own, or if you’d rather stay home and read our special magazine and watch the DVD or take them home as souvenirs, we’ve got plenty of Colorado railroading just for you. As friends often hear me say, “You can never have enough Colorado!”