Denver NNGC Notes: Book Reports

[Jim Courtney]

I picked up three C&S related books at the convention:





Sandra F Mather has published several books on the history of Summit County. Bob Schoppe of the DSP&P Historical Society has teamed up with her to publish a book, in the Images of America series, on the railroad history of Summit County. The book is paperback, 127 pages with many black and white images. Most of the photos are familiar, being previously published or posted here. There are enough new photos to make it a worthwhile addition to my library. In particular is a view of a light colored DSP&P waycar, on a work train at a wreck of the rotary on Boreas Pass near Baker's Tank. I got Bob to sign my copy.







I enjoy the works of Tom and Denise Klinger, as they always break new ground in terms of photographs and new information about the C&S narrow gauge operations. This fourth book of their series, on the Clear Creek line, doesn't disappoint! I was thrilled that Tom and Denise were there Wednesday night to both autograph my copy of the book.

I started reading the book on the plane going home, and was fascinated by the discussion of the C&S management's experiments with oil burning locomotives in 1902. Derrell Poole had briefly discussed this in a clinic that he gave in Seattle several years ago; I was under the impression that the oil conversion was limited to one or two locomotives as an experiment in fuel economy.

Turns out, the oil conversions were a marketing ploy by the new C&S management, to increase their share of the lucrative summer tourist excursion business--oil burners could be advertised as soot and cinder free excursions in open excursion cars. The C&S planned to outfit at least six of the newly rebuilt Cooke 2-6-0's with oil bunkers in the tenders for the summer season of 1902. Three were to be used on Denver - Silver  Plume excursions. The other three were to be used in Platte Canyon! The management had decided to extend the weekend Fish Trains to a seven day a week summer schedule and add shorter, out and back excursions to Platte Canon destinations.

The use of oil was not yet economical in 1902 Colorado: The locomotive fuel costs of a round trip from Denver to Silver Plume was about $19.00 for oil, about $15.00 for coal. The locomotives were converted back to coal in the fall of 1902, it is not clear whether the practice was continued in subsequent years.

A great, rare photo:


Historical Society of Idaho Springs

The oil bunker of C&S number 6 is clearly visible in the tender, as the number 6 in the "Columbine" lettering passes Argo tunnel with an excursion train bound for the Loop in the summer of 1902.


I've only read the first three chapters, but this is my favorite photo so far:


James Ehernberger Collection

Number 6 has its portrait taken at the Forks eating house. A photo-postcard, the postmark was August 21, 1911. Note the brand new steel pilot beam, with the "KEEP OFF" lettering above and below the poling dimple.

I encourage all of you to support Tom and Denise in their efforts and buy their new book!







This book has been out for a while, and I've only thumbed through the pages.  It is a "coffee-table" style book on the Leadville railroads. It is printed on high quality paper, with excellent photo renderings and numerous maps of the rail service in Leadville over the years. There are a lot of photos of D&RG (both narrow and standard gauge) and Colorado Midland facilities and equipment in the Cloud City. Another excellent addition to my C&S library.

[ComoDepot]

Tom and Denise were kind enough to look after the Depot on Sunday.

[South Park]

  Does the depot wander off when not supervised ?  

[Chris Walker]

South Park wrote

Does the depot wander off when not supervised ?  

Maybe if it gets homesick for Denver, it just might....