Steam & Excursion > C & S #641 at Leadville, CO

Back in the day...... I would ask for a cab ride, and occasionally get one. This day I didn't. But they said I could ride on the flat car, if I wanted. Leadville to Climax, and return!

Ed

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(working on time machine faster....)

I've got parts to a flux capacitor laying around here somewhere. I really was born 40 years too late.

Rob
Phoenix, AZ

As you can see...........the World was a better place then; fewer lawyers, less regulations.

Ed

I was just a kid the first time I saw the engine in 1957 and we were on the road above the mine
and here below was a steam engine switching the load out area. I'm jumping up and down in the
back seat and Dad finally stopped so I could watch. It was a year after SP steam left the LA area
and the sight of a real working engine was pretty neat and lasted until we got to Durango where
I damn near hyper ventilated.

Edwardjb Wrote:
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> As you can see...........the World was a better
> place then; fewer lawyers, less regulations.
>
> Ed


While casualness seems appealing, I believe that with respect to this line, it's not so bad now. Last month I rode the Leadville, Colorado and Southern and had very much enjoyed spending nearly the entire time in one of two open gondolas.

While NH2006 and Got_Steam are working on a time machine, I highly recommend the video, "The Last Steamers on The Colorado and Southern." While most of the scenes were shot in Denver and the line going north, there is a wonderful sequence of the a train on the Leadville Branch in the winter.

The 641 is on display next to the Leadville Depot. Externally, at least, it appears to be in very good condition. Have there been any serious proposals to restoring the 614 as an operating locomotive?

I rode this now tourist line a couple of years ago while exploring Leadville. Quite fascinating historical area ! Lot of RR roadbeds all over the old mining areas.

Mike

One of the Colorado Annuals had a map of the Leadville area
railroads and it would make an "N" scaler proud!!

> The 641 is on display next to the Leadville Depot.
> Externally, at least, it appears to be in very
> good condition. Have there been any serious
> proposals to restoring the 614 as an operating
> locomotive?

I'll be back... going to close my eyes and imagine
this engine back in service on a tourist line.

/Mitch

Ed, you LUCKY sucker!

John

A few pix from Leadville, 10/2006

1) Wedgie of #641, not looking too bad considering the harsh winters.

2) other side wedgie

3) information plaque



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/17/09 21:17 by mikel.

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A few more.

4) Current Leadville, Colorado & Southern Depot

I think the depot and the now tourist track are all that's left of the L C & S ?? I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than I can fill in the details on that.

5) Side of depot showing RR lineage.

6) Current diesel that powers the tourist ride.

Mike



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/17/09 21:28 by mikel.

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