Hi this is Bernie J of Bernie's Journeys, “Seeing America First”.
A passenger railroad car
being restored, or more correctly being created in Colorado Springs doesn’t
seem to have “stop the newspaper presses” importance but when you get “the rest
of the story (apologies to Paul Harvey)”
you may be glad that that you listened awhile.
While wandering around the
Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway Foundation on Steel Dr. COS you’ll fine a
large fabric Quonset hut in the back occupied by the Friends of the Cumbres
& Toltec Narrow Gauge Restoration.
There are many railroading
enthusiasts around the country but few work in the 1 to 1 scale, meaning full
size stuff, as these folks do.
They support the mission of The Friends of the Cumbres &
Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TS), Inc. and is a nonprofit organization
that shares stewardship with the C&TS Railroad Commission of a unique railroad property of important historic
significance and remarkable scenic beauty.
The East end of the
C&TS is in Antonito
CO and the West end is 64 rail-miles away in Chama, NM and while Antonito CO is
a good couple of hours ride, about 200 mile south-west of Colorado Springs, residents of COS
have a very unique reason to make the trip, it's a substantial train fare
discount because COS has made a long term loan/lease agreement of its 1883
Steam engine No.168 to the C&TS but that's another story I’ll
have to do.
The passenger car being brought back to life from a farmer’s
field is a “Pullman” sleeper. This style
was known as a "Tourist" or "Emigrant" car…having rattan or
wooden seats that converted to beds by night and OBTW you needed to supply your
own bedding, but at least you knew that the bugs in the blankets were yours.
So what’s the big deal, George
Mortimer Pullman (1831-1897) was a Chicago industrialist that built
railroad Sleeping cars. Well - the fun fact is that some of his start-up money
was made in Colorado during the Gold Rush years, where in Arapahoe Gulch at his
1600 acre Cold Springs Ranch, he figured that it was more profitable to sell goods
and services to Miners, than to dig for gold himself.
Through great detective work
by the “Friends of …” they
learned that the bones of this Pullman sleeper was originally bought by the
railroad that owned the current C&TS tracks. This car will be going home
after its restoration.
The work is coming along
nicely, it’s looking like a rail car again and while I was told that the car
will be restored to its former good looks, safety was not forgotten, it will be
solid for a 21st century ride. This wooden car now has steel
strengthening required by today’s federal railroad regulations. Beauty and
strength, what a combination.
Come to Colorado Springs,
visit the Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway Foundation, talk with The Friends of the C&TS and
then head out for a heritage train ride where you shouldn't need to bring your own bedroll
today.
