Safe Delivery to Como Depot

[Mike Trent]

On the day after the close of the 37th NNGC in Denver, Sunday 9/3, we were able to deliver the old Boulder Depot safe to it's new home in the Como Depot.

In about 1985, the C&S closed the new Boulder Depot, which had been built out by the wye East of Boulder, a place called ARA on the railroad. It is the same safe that was in the old stone depot at 14th and Walnut and probably dates to about 1902. I stopped by the depot about a week before the closing date and asked agent Chuck Hudson who I might talk to about buying the old safe. He gave me the name and number of a woman in Denver who handled facilities and assets. When I called her, she seemed to think it a bit odd that I was asking about the old safe, and asked what I thought it might be worth.  When I told her I really had no idea, she said, "Well, how about $50?" I told her I'd put a check in the mail that very day, and I did.

Todd Hackett and I  obtained a rental truck with a purportedly 1/2 ton lift, and when we were able to get the old safe out the door (after some dismantling of the door frame to the room it was located in), we found that either the safe weighed more than a half ton, or more likely the lift just wasn't up to the job, judging by a pool of hydraulic fluid on the ground. So off we went to get a newer and better truck, and once again muscled the safe on to the lift with the help of a crows foot spike puller and pry bar.

For about three years the safe was in my office at Standard Office Supply, and eventually moved it into the garage in my home in Boulder, where, it remained until 9/3, when my now ex-wife and her husband were more than ready to see it go.

So off we went, with the able assistance of my youngest daughter's fiance and some of his equipment.

This was the culmination of the day I had waited for for over 30 years to find an appropriate home and setting. To actually think that it could be moved into the depot at Como would have been total fantasy until very recently.



Todd and I exude complete confidence that we are still up to this task. Todd has been involved in every move since I've had this.



...and with the help of my Daughter Donna's fiance, Travis Alps, we were. Travis at the wheel, Donna and one of my grandsons make way to the grade crossing next to the depot, where the safe was delivered through the rear baggage door.

Continued in part 2



     

[Mike Trent]

Here it is, leveled and ready, after enlisting help from the local Como crew to set it in place. This is a close up look at the lettering and details. And grime and dust from 32 years of neglect. Note the paint wear on the upper left hand corner from over four decades of daily use.



This final view shows where it is placed next to the door to the waiting room. It is too large to fit through any of the interior doors.

It will need to be blocked under the floor in the near future, and I need to find the combination, which is here in my desk. Somewhere. Anyway, it is now the property of the DSP&P Historical Society. Thanks to all who helped with this.    

[Jeff Young]

Well done, Mike and Todd!

[Robert Stears]

Great job gentlemen. Looks great.

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 11, 2017, at 4:56 PM, Jeff Young [via C&Sng Discussion Forum] <[hidden email]> wrote:

Well done, Mike and Todd!

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[ComoDepot]

Thanks Mike, and thanks for posting the history, makes sure I get it right.

I remember you mentioning that the inside is pretty small and included both a document and cash section. There is mention of there being 2 safes in the building in 1894, but where they were and what they looked like is unknown.