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November, 1983 ...... No. 290 MEETING SCHEDULE: Club Telephone ...... (303) A3 1 -^35^+ November 8, 1983; 7:30 P.M. P.O.- Box 2391 , 80201 Southeast wing of Christ Episcopal Church, 2900 South University at Bates, Off-street CURRENT NEWS AND HISTORICAL NOTES OF ROCKY parking at rear (east) of meeting hall. MOUNTAIN RAILROADING PUBLISHED MONTHLY FOR Please use the building's south entrance. ITS MEMBERS BY THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN RAILROAD CLUB. Les Grenz ...... Editor Steve McCormic ...... Associate Editor Darrell Arndt ...... President MEMORIES IN SEPTEMBER Erwin Chaim...... Vice President Bill Gordon ...... Secretary When diesel power took over the responsibility of Ardie Schoeninger ...... Treasurer hauling freight and passenger from the nation’s vast fleet of steam locomotives, there was Send all items for publication to: ROCKY much lamenting the loss of a colorful and exciting MOUNTAIN RAIL REPORT; Les Grenz, Editor; form of motive power by American watchers 6288 Vance Street, Arvada, Colorado 80003. . . .and occasionally an expression of resentment leveled at those more clean and maintenance free COPY DEADLINE--A11 copy for publication is machines. Who would have ever thought that the due no later than the 18th of the month departure of the “covered wagons,” Alco PA’s, etc. prior to month of publication. would be noticed when their successors came upon the scene? After all, a diesel is a diesel!!(???). Well, John Dillavou’s September AUCTION NIGHT program reminded us that although the transition November 8 is the night. The ANNUAL from steam to diesel was quite dramatic from an AUCTION.*1 Many exciting sale items and lots operational and visual point of view, the difference of enthusiastic bidders will make this a between several generations of diesel machines is terrific evening. Among the many items also substantial. Not only are very few of the eye which produce much interest are railroad pleasing streamlined diesels of the 40’s and 50’s books, photos, maps, time tables, lanterns, left in service, but the wide variety of colorful and stock certificates, china, passes and sometimes intriguing paint schemes that adorn other varied items. I terns donated to the their flanks have fallen victims to mergers and the club to be sold are greatly appreciated. economics of more simple painting applications. I terns to be sold on consignment are also John’s program included a memorable sampling of welcome. A small fee will be charged for various railroads’ early generation diesel power the sale of items. Come on out on Tuesday, and the trains they pulled, accompanied by an November 8, and watch auctioneer Erwin informative commentary. Thanks John for bringing Chaim for an evening you iAMt won't for­ a fine program to share with fellow members! get. AN OPPORTUNITY WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE. . . As the end of the year approaches, An important addition to the Rocky it is, once again, time to remember that Mountain Railroad Club film library took election of club officers and directors place recently with the acquisition of will be taking place shortly. The club the 16MM railroad film collection of has always been fortunate to see these Irving E. August. These films, which positions filled with individual volun­ total over 12,000 feet in length, docu­ teers who have provided management and ment aspects of rail activity in the guidance in the best interests of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico during the organization. Should you like to be period between 1951 and 1971, and in­ considered for nomination to a position clude notable sequences in Colorado and or have a recommendation for someone you Wyoming during the waning days of steam feel could make a worthy contribution in on standard and narrow gauge lines. this manner, please contact any member of Selections from these films that have the nominating committee, Ed Gerlits, been presented by Irv at Rocky Mountain Cyndi Trombly, or Bob Griswold! Railroad Club meetings have always been received with much enthusiasm, a testi­ TAKE NOTE mony to the quality of these exceptional films. We are proud to have been pro­ KBDI-TV Channel 12, Denver's public vided the opportunity by Irv, to assume television station, will present a seven­ responsibility for the preservation of part series entitled GREAT LITTLE RAIL­ these films. Not only will they be WAYS,. the premier showing having taken available for our enjoyment and appre­ place on Monday, October 31, at 8 PM. ciation, but for other generations to The programs are featuring 40 minute come! films which explore narrow gauge rail­ ways in North America, Poland, Greece, FUNDING THREATENED the Philippines, India, Portugal, and Ecuador. The White Pass & Yukon is Sen. William Armstrong - R-Colo., featured in one segment, but we don't intends to introduce an amendment to a have the date of that showing. Senate bill that would end government subsidies for Amtrak. The amendment would direct Congress to stay out of STILL AT IT Amtrak management, and direct Amtrak to The three Rio Grande “F” units from the Rio take whatever action necessary to turn a Grande Zephyr were observed recently hauling profit by 1985, the last year for which ballast trains to the area where congressional appropriations for the heavy trackwork is underway. The engines are railroad would be allowed under the stationed at Minturn. amendment. (The amendment made no allow­ ances for funding the acquisition of a COAL???? magic wand.) In a September issue of the Rocky Mountain News, was an interview with the MORE ON BOARD vice-president of American Coal Enter­ Amtrak reports that ridership between prises, Inc., regarding their plans to Chicago and Oakland grew three times build and market the ACE-3000, a coal- faster than ridership in other parts of fired, modernized version of the steam the country, a change attributed to re­ locomotive. Accompanying the story, was routing the over the a 5 page photo of Union Pacific's No. D&RGW. Businesses in Glenwood Springs 8444. We found the photo somewhat indicate that they don't receive the interesting as the no-caption photo was business from Denver that they used to of a Rocky Mountain Railroad Club trip with the Rio Grande Zephyr, as long taken by Keith Kirby and submitted to distance travelers have displaced some of the News several years ago in conjunc­ that traffic. Glenwood is seeing more tion with an article about a Club visitors from the West Coast and Mid-west. excursion. Ironically, of course, No. (One day, late this summer, over 500 peo­ 8444 is oi1-fired! ple boarded the CZ westbound from Denver.) A GOOD TIME L.C. McCLURE PHOTO EXHIBIT The Club's annual banquet at the Hilton An exhibit of photos by noted Denver Inn once again provided a special oppor­ photographer Louis McClure will be held in tunity for members to gather in relaxed from November 14th surroundings and visit with one another. thru December., Included will be many of During our dining on roast sirloin, Duane his excellent railroad views along with a Sole entertained with various selections selection of Denver cityscapes including at the piano. It is always a delight Denver Union Station and Denver Tramway to have our own live music, and a note of cars. McClure trained under W. H. Jackson thanks is, once again, extended to Duane. and then had his own studio starting in Following dinner, those attending from the late 1890s. The exhibit is based on out of state were welcomed, and door McClure negatives in the collection of the prizes were distributed to lucky winners. Denver Public Library's Western History Visitors from far away included A. May­ Department and funding is provided by the nard Cole of Lebanon, Indiana, Mr. and Colorado Railroad Museum and Historic Mrs. James Dee of Corning, New York, Karl Denver. It is made possible by the coop­ Rusch of Atherton, California, Helen Tatum eration of Denver Union Station and Am­ from Surf City, North Carolina and Rus­ trak. sell Treptow of Springfield, Missouri., Rounding out the evening was the showing of the full-length motion picture, Von SWAP ’N SHOP Ryan's Express. We would like to thank FOR SALE OR TRADE—4-wheel hack, from all who helped make the banquet run Buffalo Rochester & Pittsburg Ry with smooth, including Jim Trowbridge who wheels and draft gear. Needs tender love coordinated the arrangements and also and care. No phone calls. Would be inter­ handled ticket sales, and Erwin Chaim for ested in RR plunder or books from rail­ securing the program. Tom Caldwell in­ roads of the southwest area. A. F. Von sured the club projector was on hand, and Bion, 1111 Colcord, Waco, TX 76707. Ed Haley and Dick Kindig saw to it that the machine and film cooperated with each WANTED—Photos of Union Pacific coal fac­ other during the showing. Door prizes ility at Cheyenne, Wyo. Contact Terry Met­ always prove to be another aspect of the calfe, 8456 Quay Dr., Arvada, CO 80003. banquet to look forward to, but that would not be possible without the contri­ (303) 421-8735. butions forthcoming from members and companies. We would like to thank the following for their support in that re­ TRAVELING BY PRIVATE CAR? gard: Carl Carlson, the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, Bill Gould, Ed Before there were private planes for Haley, Jack Thode, Olie Larsen, Jack company executives, there were private Morison, Francis Rizzari, and Sundance railroad cars. Staffed by cooks, waiters, Publications. Frequently, individuals and a steward, private cars could be bring items up at the last minute, un­ coupled to the rear of a train bound for beknownst to us, so we do hope we have the desired destination, and the honorable acknowledged all. passenger was isolated from the rest of the train. Today there are fewer than a hundred private cars still in service. COUGH UP Some are available for charter from their The D&RGW filed a lawsuit against the owners to small groups who wish to exper­ Railway contending the railway has ience first hand the sort of plush travel refused to pay its share of the cost of these venerable rolling penthouses provide. repairs to the eastbound track at Thistle. Amtrak will pull qualified private cars The lawsuit is based on claims on a 1913 as long as the owner pays for fuel, contract in which the two railroads switching, parking in terminals, extra agreed to share in expenses resulting from crews or locomotives if necessary, and improvements or additions to the line. other related costs. NEW TIME—THIS TIME ONLY CHANGES COMING Due to the amount of preview, set-up and When Amtrak's fall timetable takes registration time required, the meeting time for effect at the end of October, several November 8 will be changed to 7:30 p.m. for THIS changes will take place affecting MEETING ONLY! However, doors will be open at California Zephyr service through Colo­ 7:00 p.m. The December meeting will again be held rado. The schedule will be adjusted at 7:45 p.m. slightly and more closely resemble that of the Rio Grande Zephyr. Westbound ON THE PROPERTY arrival at Denver will be at 7 AM, with departure of 7:30 AM. The eastbound run The Great Western Railway has taken will now arrive at 8:50 PM, with a 9:20 delivery of three ex-BN GP7's to aug­ PM departure for Chicago. Several stops ment its present motive power. Although have also been eliminated from the CZ the sugar beet industry is not what it schedule, including Monmouth, Illinois, used to be in northern Colorado, the Carlin, Nevada, and closer to home, Bond railroad is looking forward to the move­ and Rifle, Colorado and Green River, ment of a fair number of carloads by rail. Utah. We've heard that the folks in Rifle are not particularly pleased with their loss of servite. The primary 4449 NEW ORLEANS TRIP—1984 reason for the elimination of these The So. Pacific 4449 engine is stops on the D&RGW, is reportedly to tentatively scheduled to go to the New allow more cushion in the Denver-Salt Orleans World's Fair in 1984. It will Lake City schedule, so the train can consist of at least twelve, but possibly maintain its timekeeping without the use more, cars, all painted in So. Pacific of a third diesel engine. In Utah, the "Daylight colors." Among them, will California Zephyr will continue west be the former Shasta Daylight cars. through (UP depot) over The present schedule calls for the train the Union Pacific (ex-Western Pacific) to leave Portland, Oregon on the 5th of and rejoin the SP/UP joint line near May. It will go via Sacramento-San Fran­ Wells, Nevada. The train will, conse­ cisco, Fresno, Los Angeles, Yuma, Phoenix, quently, avoid the trouble-plagued El Paso, San Antonio, Houston-Dallas, New Southern Pacific causeway over the Great Orleans. All movements will be in the Salt Lake, but no longer serve Ogden, daylight hours, and there will be a which will now see only the at number of display stopovers. The consist its station platform. In Salt Lake City, will arrive in New Orleans on June 2, Amtrak is negotiating for use of the ex­ 1984. The route back will be more direct, Rio Grande/WP station as it would allow with fewer stopovers, and arrive in easier switching and resultant time Portland on June 24, 1984. savi ngs.

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