Re: One For The Buffalo Hunters.

Posted by Chris Walker on
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/One-For-The-Buffalo-Hunters-tp1605p1637.html

Rick,
I have for some time thought the same hence my input over on the NGDGF on this subject sometime last year, noted that this type of early Sw-St was also used on the Carson & Colorado right up to the abandonment of the Montgomery pass line, Dave Grandt subsequently posted views for me so one day I can fabricate one full-size.  
I can't say I've noted in the earlyday views of the Sth Park that these were used West of Kenosha or at a pinch, Jefferson being quickly replaced by the more familiar cast Harp that we know today.  As for the date the UP influence spread, and the introduction I have no idea.  Most certainly the surviving stands at Alpine Tunnel were cast lettered "UP".
 
Here's my post January 26, 2013  http://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,233512,234191#msg-234191
The photo of the Romley depot is on pg 82 of Mal Ferrells The South Park Line. Mal must have waved his magic wand over that image as the Harp clearly shows "18 UP RY 83" just like the Mac Poor photo at Alpine.  Mac Poor's pic in Mineral Belt V2 is of another "18 UP RY 83" stand minus lever and rods at the Eastern end of the passing track at Alpine. There is also a Dick Kindig photo taken June 1940 showing the "1883" harpstand in the same location, the track is still in place there at that time, another photo shows a standard C&S style rotary swstand at the western end of the passing track still in place. There are later 1950's photo's in Dow Helmer's Historic Alpine Tunnel showing the rails gone and roadbed bulldozed.

Looking back over other clear harp locations the UP1883 style is present at Pitkin, Atlantic, Rarus Warrior siding, Romley and Garos. The furtherest West the DSP&P harp that I can see clearly shown was at Como. The UP1883 harps have a "bowtie" pivot point for the Lever also the arch has raised "ears" for the locking staple. The DSP&PRR harp on the other hand has a flattop arch with notches for the locking staple and a horizontal channel type pivot point for the lever.
Interestingly there was a "18 UP RR 77" Harp at Idaho Springs shown on pg204 Mal's C&SNG book. Thankfully Richard B Jackson made a point of photographing the swstands close-up for us to see.