Como scores a 2-page article in Trains Mag!

[Kurt Maechner]

The Colorado & Southern narrow gauge has not made numerous appearances in the annals of Trains Magazine, the flagship railfan publication.  

However, in the February 2021 edition of Trains Como got a full two-page article in the "Preservation" section on the magazine.  

I have a little overview of some points of interest in the article here.

Does anyone have more info on the following from the article? "A much more in-depth project, a two axle bobber caboose frame, rests nearby atop several sawhorses.  Due to the frame's fragile condition, an exact reproduction has been built from heavy timbers."  Is this frame from a C&S caboose?  Are there plans for a replica caboose like the one at Rotary snowplow park in Breckenridge?

[South Park]

  The caboose frame is from 1008, which they found to be too far gone
to restore to operational use, so they built a new one from scratch, using
the original as a pattern.  It was then donated to the Como group.

[Todd Hackett]

Kurt Maechner wrote

..."A much more in-depth project, a two axle bobber caboose frame, rests nearby atop several sawhorses.  Due to the frame's fragile condition, an exact reproduction has been built from heavy timbers."  Is this frame from a C&S caboose?  Are there plans for a replica caboose like the one at Rotary snowplow park in Breckenridge?

That's the frame from C&S 1008. It was brought to Como since the Brantigans were open to displaying it there, and the alternative was to trash it. The reproduction was built by the Farmer brothers for their restoration of the 1008. I'm not aware of any attempt to build a replica caboose for Como. The frame was considered unsalvageable by the Farmers, and they were trying to keep as much original fabric as possible, so the people involved at Como would need to start from scratch if they wanted to build a C&S bobber caboose.

The one in Breckenridge was built and mostly completed in or near Eureka CA by someone affiliated with the Humboldt & Northern tourist train. It was brought to the Georgetown Loop in 1996 where it was completed and re-lettered C&S 1012 (the last C&S NG caboose was 1011), and eventually found its way to Breckenridge. I think the Ashbys brought it to Canyon City initially when the lost the contract to run the loop. The body work was very well done, and the finish work was minor. Its main issues are very light and undersized wheels and journals, and a small link-and-pin coupler, which were probably what the builder had available, and no brake rigging, so it wouldn't be suitable for operation on the loop. I don't remember what was replaced or installed, but the intent hadn't been to operate it, so probably not much beyond finishing trim and restoring any damage or rot. I know I have photos from when we finished it up and lettered it for C&S, but I can't find them at the moment. I did find these photos from when it first arrived in Silver Plume:

Interior:


Coupler and draft gear:


Exterior:

[train3guy]

Kurt,

     Yes, I have some more info on your questions.  I'm the Secretary
for the DSP&PHS and so am in on the BOD meetings.

     First,, yes the smoke stacks on the roundhouse are now in their
later position.  Originally placed at the front of the structure, near
the doors, it was soon found, that orientation restricted working space
around the cylinders and main parts of the running gear.  So, stacks
were moved and locos headed in, which gave more work room.

     Second, the caboose frame is from caboose #1008, being restored in
California.  They found the frame in too rough shape to be useable in
the restoration.  So, a new frame (following the original design and
using the original techniques) was built in order to bring that caboose
back to operational condition, eventually.  They had no use of the
original frame and no place to store it. What to do with it?  Cut it up
and use it for firewood? Take it to the local dump?  Or, offer it to the
Society for preservation?  They chose the latter and so Bob Schoppe, the
Society president, went out, rented a truck and brought it back. It has
been in the roundhouse now for over a year.

     Third, the choice of the word "pristine" when talking about the
restoration of box car #608 is interesting.  I would have chosen a
different word.  Maybe something like "beautiful restoration", or
"historical preservation".  To me the word "pristine" implies all
original, fully functional, completely accurate, etc.  The Society
discussed the preservation/restoration and because the car had some
original lettering still visible on one side we decided to do something
a bit different. The side without the lettering would be repaired and
restored to as close to as new condition as we could achieve, given the
lack of original tucks, some missing hardware, etc.  Rotten/damaged wood
would be replace and the car would be painted and lettered in colors
matching its delivery scheme.

     The other side, with the existing lettering would have the rotten
boards replaced and/or repaired.  The lettering would be preserved and
protected with a sun filtering laminate, so it could be occasionally
brought out of the roundhouse and not suffer further sun damage.  This
would allow visitors to see the car on one side and end, as it looked
when built.  The other would show the later paint scheme and lettering
as well as visible signs of the repair work needed.  So, to my way of
thinking, not exactly "pristine".  But, it was a very beautiful
restoration job, done in a way I have not seen done before, that does a
great deal to show the car and its history in a very unique way.  I
don't think it could have been done any better!

     Hope this help answer some of your questions.

                         Duncan Harvey

[Kurt Maechner]

Hi Duncan,
Thanks so much for that info and update.  I'm glad the society was able to get the 1008's frame.  
I agree about your perspective on "pristine."  I also really love the half and half style restoration that was done on 608.

[Richard Farmer]

Just a bit of information about caboose 1012. The car was built by Gus Haggmark to run on the private Humbolt Northern Railway in McKinleyville, California, it is now on display in Breckinridge, Co. The 3 foot gauge railroad was on a ranch belonging to Henry Sorensen an author (“Steam in the Redwoods”) and locomotive engineer. Henry owned three locomotives: Mattole Lumber Co. #1, a 1908 Vulcan 0-4-2T which Henry pulled out of the woods and restored, Kiso Forest Railway of Japan #6 a 1929 Baldwin 0-4-2T which he imported and regauged and a derelict 2 truck Shay, 1897 Lima Machine Works. This locomotive had seen service on 5 logging railroads around the country before coming to McKinleyville in 1968 to await restoration. This locomotive was in pieces when I saw it and I believe Henry sold it in that condition at some point.
The last time I saw Henry and both 0-4-2T locomotives was at “Railfair 91” at the California State Railroad Museum. I believe Henry donated both locomotives to the museum.
Richard. Farmer

[Kurt Maechner]

That's really interesting.  Is the Humbolt Northern Railway gone then?  Did he have an affinity for the C&S that he built the caboose in the C&S style?