Nostalgia & History > Views from the Vestibule - The KP "Ruff Out" 1981-83

I've mentioned before that the UP Employees Club at Denver sponsored
a weekend cook out and dance in the mountains each summer for many
years. All clubs at all locations were invited. I don't know how
the tradition started, but the UP always put a couple of coaches
and a baggage/party car on freights KC-Denver #117-118 for
employees traveling enroute to this event.
Here are some shots that I took from the vestibule between Salina
and Denver on some of these memorable trips.

1. This one is for nwkrailfan. There is nothing like stack talk
with a little brew. The brew is definitely flowing and the lead
unit, C30-7, UP2458, is talking in the 8th run as we assault Riga Hill.
Friday, August 7, 1981.
2) Coming back on Sunday, kids on their bicycles still relish the
sight of a train. Once a crew change point, complete with a wye and
roundhouse, (still standing and being restored), Hugo is a ghost of
its former self.
August 9, 1981
3) Before the internet and cell phones, we did things via phone and or
US Mail. If there was a special move happening, we got on the phone.
Here you see two of the Kansas Gang, duly informed, shooting and
getting a friendly wave from the head end as we scoot down the Hill
at 60 per.
Kansas Gang - The-Chief-Way and the late Mike Provine.
Augutst 5, 1983

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/21/12 14:11 by PRose.

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4) This one is for upkpfan. A few minutes later, we passed
by the depot at Ellsworth, KS. Marv, this is the way I
remember the Ellsworth scene in the early 80s.
August 5, 1983.
5) On the way back from Denver on Sunday, we blew by the depot at
Strasburg, CO. The KP Line was completed a few miles east of here
in 1870. Records indicate that it was not a big celebration. An
American Flag and a keg of whiskey sat at the center of the last 10
miles of track to be laid. The east team won and a big drunk insued.
No Photos like the "Golden Spike" a year earlier, but the excitement
was still the same.
August 7, 1983.
6) The Tenant on the defunct Rock Island in western Kansas /Eastern, CO
in 1983 was the Cadillac & Lake City RR. Here is their power tied up
west of the former UP/RI Diamond at Limon, CO.
August 7, 1983.

Thanks for looking.

Bob Helling
PRose



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/21/12 21:36 by PRose.

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As a fully qualified brakeman/conductor on Santa Fe's Middle Division, 1st seniority district I carried an ID card informing anyone reading it that I had passed operating rules tests for the Rock Island (prior to 1980), the Frisco (BN after the 1980 merger) & the Missouri Pacific (up to 1982). I particlarly remember having to carry a separate card showing my qualification over our arch-rivals, the mighty Union Pacific. All these qualifications were necessary because Santa Fe had
running rights over various segments of those roads.

In the course of getting to know Bob (our Mr. PRose) we talked about me having a full blown UP card. He casually told me one day that I should sign up & come along with him on one of those Ruff Outs. "You've got the card, and nobody's gonna care anyway." That would have been quite a railfan coup; an Uncle John employee swiping a ride from Uncle Pete. I never took Bob up on that plan. But ya know what, Bob.... I SHOULD have!

Lance

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/21/12 19:47 by santafe199.

Excellent! Sigh...full codeline...signals...#117 and #118...things just aren't what they used to be! Thanks for the post, Bob.

Bob,
Thanks for the look back. The dock is gone on the East end and also along the North side and in another year the depot would be also. I believe it was 84 when they tore it down. But all was not lost or throwed away. I found the tall windows from it and restored them and put them in the Terra Cotta Depot that sits in town today. The freight doors are still around and the big cabinet that was where they kept the REA Express packages that came in,and there is still a big pile of stuff around that I don't know what all is in there. Wish that depot could have been saved as it was 119' long and boy, could I fill it up with stuff for a museum. Thanks again Bob. upkpfan

Also, I know where there is some stuff from the Black Wolf Depot yet. Just never made it out to look at it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/22/12 19:24 by upkpfan.