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Wagon Wheel Gap Routeand the Denver & Rio Grande Railway
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News Letters
When special events occur, we send out E-Mail News Letters, they are reproduced here. You can request being added onto the E-Mail list by sending a request to:
The Track Warrant The Unofficial Newsletter of the: Denver & Rio Grande Historical Foundation
March 2005 Mid-Month Issue Steam Power returns to the San Luis Valley
After several months of planning, loading, and train movement, the 1920 Light Pacific Steam Engine manufactured by American Locomotive Company, arrived in Monte Vista at 8:30 P.M. on March 19, 2005. Items donated to the Foundation by the Union Pacific Railroad accompanied it. These items are, the Caboose that has been used in the valley for decades, Two 1920 era Flangers that were used for clearing snow on La Veta Pass, Three D&RGW Box Cars that will be used now for parts storage, and an open Gondola. Also included is a operational Wheel Lathe. The Light Pacific Engine is of the same type used by the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad and will be configured to historical standards. This engine was manufactured for the Florida East Coast Railroad and ran Passenger Trains all the way down to Key West and along the company tracks north and south of Miami. The rebuild of this engine was started in Traverse Bay, Michigan and a major amount of repairs and inspections has been completed, including complete rebuild of the Tender, complete rebuild of the running gear of the engine and boiler inspection. Work on the engine will be completed on the Foundations siding located just west of the Monte Vista City Park and next to the Foundations Buildings at 20 North Broadway. It is expected to take about two years to complete the restoration of the engine and see it in operational condition for use on the Wagon Wheel Gap Route from South Fork north through Wagon Wheel Gap in to Creede. It will be used for both Freight Deliveries in this area and Passenger Service. The D&RGRy Historical Foundations owns and is restoring to full use the South Fork to Creede Branch, known as the “Wagon Wheel Gap Route”. This line is located 30 miles west of Monte Vista, Colorado. This newsletter is purely made from rumors and from other unofficial sources and does not have approval from the D&RG Ry Historical Foundation. Richard Cutter is the editor and is solely responsible for the included information. Photographs included are copyrighted and can be used for non-commercial use if the copyright owner is indicated. If no copyright owner is indicated by the photograph then it is held by: Richard Cutter
The Track Warrant The Unofficial Newsletter of the: Denver & Rio Grande Historical FoundationMarch 2005 - #2 - Follow-up of Mid-Month Issue Saturday March 26, 2005The 148 Saga Continues With the interest shown on the move of #148, I thought that a follow-up of the engine move was needed. First for those who needed information about the Foundation, it was founded by Don Shank and other interested persons in 1999 to preserve the history of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad and to collect and display artifacts from early railroad history. We now own the line from South Fork to Creede, Colorado, which is known as the “Wagon Wheel Gap Route”. Also we have Offices, the start of a Museum and Shops at 20 N. Broadway in Monte Vista Colorado, which is located 30 miles east of South Fork. We have accumulated a large quantity of rail equipment, rolling stock, maintenance of way equipment, and parts. Also the FEC Light Pacific # 148. We operate purely on volunteer help and donations. Our current end goal is to see operation of a tourist passenger train, utilizing #148, and also offer freight service along this historic and beautiful D&RG Ry line. For further information see: www.Wagon-Wheel-Gap-Route.freehomepage.com We spent Thursday and Friday unloading the Steam Engine, this required utilizing two cranes, 10 people, and a backhoe to move the cars and lots of chains and straps. It now rests on track and is located on the north side of our buildings, on our spur track. Setting next to it is the other donated D&RGW equipment, including 3 boxcars, two flangers, a gondola car and the Caboose that was used for decades here in the valley. Clean up on the equipment will start immediately and cataloging of engine parts will be of first order. Engine Lights and Bell are in great condition but the whistle was stolen when in Traverse Bay, as well as all of the gauges. These items is can be easily replaced but the originals would have been nice to have. If any of you have photos of # 148 or sister engines please send us digital copies or regular photos, this will help us in assuring accurate restoration. We had over sixty people out with their cameras taking photos of the engine removal, even though it was snowing at times and maybe a tops of 45 degrees. The interest shown locally has been overwhelming, at times last Sunday we had over 80 people looking and asking questions. We estimate over 300 people stopped to see the engine and equipment. At any one time we will have several carloads looking at it.. It is great to see the interest and especially the smiles on the young children’s faces as well as the 80+ year olds that operated or just saw these steamers in years past.. If you are in the Southern Colorado area please stop on by: Monte Vista is located in the middle of San Luis Valley (7,600 ft elevation), surrounded by 13 to 14,000 ft peaks, lots of camping, hiking, skiing and sightseeing to keep you busy. Combres & Toltec Narrow Gauge Railroad is just south and Durango Silverton Railroad is 150 miles west. From Denver go south 160 miles to Walsenburg; take Hwy 160 West 90 miles. From Albuquerque go north to Santa Fe then to Hwy 285 North, a total of 220 miles. The Wagon Wheel Gap Route Rail Line is located 30 miles west of Monte Vista. Unofficial Web Site is www.Wagon-Wheel-Gap-Route.freehomepage.com Contact me at:
Wagon-Wheel-Gap@hotmail.com Photographs included are copyrighted and can be used for non-commercial use if the copyright owner is indicated. If the photograph indicates no copyright owner then it is held by: Richard Cutter
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Web Site E-Mail Address is Wagon-Wheel-Gap@hotmail.com
Also see our History of San Luis Valley & it's Railroads web site:Wagon-Wheel-Gap.freehomepage.com It's still under construction but you may find it interesting.
This is not an official web site of the D&RG Ry. Historical Foundation.It is a private informational site by Richard Cutter who is solely responsible for content andcontent is not submitted to, approved nor controlled by the D&RG Historical Foundation.
Unless otherwise NotedHistorical Photographs 1800's to 1940's from the National Archives Photos, Videos and Text are Copyrighted by Richard Cutter- Photos can be used for non-commercial use if plainly identified as to copyright holder and location, such as "at Wagon-Wheel-Gap-Route, Colorado"The name "Wagon Wheel Gap Route" refers to the section of the Creede Branch of the Old "Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad" that extends from South Fork to Creede Colorado, the name was developed and used for this website and is considered as our trademark. Last updated: July 03, 2005
You are at..... WWW.Wagon-Wheel-Gap-Route.Freehomepage.com
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