Rocky Mountain Division

of  NARCOA

May 24 - 25, 2009 - CO

 Creede Branch, Denver & Rio Grande Railway Historic Foundation

 South Fork, CO - 9th Anniversary and Tune Up Run. The Rocky Mountain Division invites you to celebrate the 9th anniversary of the purchase of the Creede branch by the D&RGHF from the Union Pacific, returning the Rio Grande name to this historic, and scenic property. This is a great low key run for mentoring new operators, and a great run to see how your car runs in the mountains. We will arrange the run to travel somewhere between 60 to 80 track miles during these dates, traveling from South Fork to Wasson Wye and return . The run will be limited to 25 cars.  You may run either or both days.  Checks should be made to "Rocky Mountain Division". NARCOA rules and insurance will be in effect.  Spark arrestors will be required. No Hi-Rails.  No Smoking.  Jon Keeling will be EC. Cost: $135 ($120 is a tax deductible dontation) for the first day you run and $125 for a second day. Fee must be received by EC two weeks prior to the event.  For information and/or reservations contact: Jon Keeling Phone: 719-989-0779 Mail: P.O. Box 721 La Veta, Colorado 81055 Email: jkeelingmt14@yahoo.com

Ride the historic rails laid by General Palmer, the founder of Colorado Springs and president of the Denver & Rio Grande Western RR. About 125 years ago, thousands of miners, including such infamous notables as Soapy Smith, Bat Masterson, and Bob Ford came from all over the USA to seek their fortunes in Creede, Colorado. Now, we can follow their tracks along the beautiful Rio Grande River and marvel at the 1883 depot at Wagon Wheel Gap. Not only will you see this historic railroad of Southwest Colorado, but you will also feel it as you go along the 22 mile standard gauge route. We may even spot some deer, coyotes, and big horn sheep along the tracks. Join the RMD in a ride through the Rocky Mountains that will provide lifelong memories! [DD] 

Click for Directions to Set On and South Fork Lodging Info

Detailed Plan for May 24th, 2009

We will stop at Blue Creek Lodge for our lunch stop on the eastbound leg of the first run.  Please let me (Philip) know how many from your car intend to eat at Blue Creek Lodge so they can set up enough space for us in the restaurant.

7:00 am- We will have signing of liability waivers, set on and do car inspections at South Fork, at the first crossing north of the Depot. (MP 300)  [No set on at WWG or 4UR.]

8:40 am- All cars should be set on and inspected by this time.

8:45 am- Safety meeting

9:00 am- or earlier.  We will depart Westbound as soon as everyone is ready to go and we have had our safety meeting. 

9:30 am- Potty Stop We will make our first stop at Palisades Campground (MP 308.1)  for a short 10 minute potty break. 

9:40 am- We will proceed West from Palisades, flagging highway crossings at MP 313.2, 315.3, 316.4 & 317.7.

10:40 am- We will reach end of track (MP 319.9) at the Creede City Limits, and then immediately reverse down to the Wasson Wye, where we will turn our cars on the historic stub switch there.  While we are at Wasson Wye we will sort out cars which want to set off early, and we will call our food order in to Blue Creek Lodge. 

11:15 am- We will depart Wasson Eastbound.

We will again flag the highway crossings at 317.7, 316.4, 315.3 & 313.2.

11:50 am- Lunch and Potty stop We will arrive at Blue Creek (MP 310.4) and will tie our cars up on the main for lunch.  The lunch break will be one hour so that we can walk across the highway to Blue Creek Lodge and have lunch there for those who wish.  Blue Creek Lodge has been a stalwart supporter of restoration of service on the Creede Branch.

12:50 pm- We will depart Blue Creek and proceed East  with no stops to the South Fork Depot. 

1:50 pm- Potty Available We will arrive at South Fork and will set off cars who do not want to make a second short run to Wagon Wheel Gap and back.

For those cars who remain for the second run, we will turn cars in South Fork, and depart westbound as soon as possible, running to Wagon Wheel Gap (MP 312.1) and turning there at the grade crossing between the depot and the siding.  This run should return to South Fork by 4:45PM, assuming it leaves South Fork not too long after 2pm.  If the first run comes in too late, this second run may be shortened further, or dispensed with.

Detailed Plan for Sunday May 25^th-

8:30 am- Safety meeting

8:45 am- or earlier.  We will depart Westbound as soon as everyone is ready to go and we have had our safety meeting. 

9:15 am- Potty Stop We will make our first stop at Palisades Campground (MP 308.1)  for a short 10 minute potty break. 

9:25 am- We will proceed West from Palisades, flagging highway crossings at MP 313.2, 315.3, 316.4 & 317.7.

10:25 am- We will reach end of track (MP 319.9) at the Creede City Limits, and then immediately reverse down to the Wasson Wye, where we will turn our cars on the historic stub switch there. 

11:00 am- We will depart Wasson Eastbound.

We will again flag the highway crossings at 317.7, 316.4, 315.3 & 313.2.

11:45 pm- Potty Stop We stop at Palisades Campground (MP 308.1)  for a short 10 minute potty break. 

12:35 pm- Potty Available We will arrive at South Fork and will set off cars

 Click Here for photos of the RMD's 2006 Creede Run

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