WHEN: September 20-22, 2024
WHERE: Leadville, Colorado
CONTACT: Jerry Geiger 719-568-7966 jerryggeiger1@msn.com
PLEASE READ ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY! There are changes from last year!
10 car maximum
$ 100 per car/ three days. $55/one day
The railroad has kindly offered to give us the same price as last year! Thank you LC&S RR!
Total mileage ( all scheduled runs) : 85 + ( approx.)
Jerry Geiger, EC
(719) 568-7966
E mail: jerryggeiger1@msn.com
Check this site for any changes on a regular basis. The EC will also make reasonable attempts to send out change notices to the e mail list of registered operators as necessary.
Any protocols, restrictions or other related guidelines in effect at the time of the event will be followed as required. EC will advise registered and confirmed members of any changes to this directive
Overview: The run will be starting at the historic Denver and South Park Pacific RR roundhouse yards and travel easterly along the old narrow gage route of that railroad established in the 1880s. The Railroad is now the Leadville, Colorado and Southern RR and standard gage. This railroad will traverse approximately twenty plus miles per round trip of rugged mountain railroading on the highest altitude adhesion railroad in North America. Spectacular scenery will abound during the entire run. End of track will be just short of the world famous Climax Molybdenum Mine which is again active as a surface mining operation. Various stops will be made on the run to view items of interest and for photo opportunities. Altitudes will start at 10,000 ft above sea level and travel will be to almost 11,300 ft above sea level at end of track. For those of you who may be interested in riding the train, it’s a beautiful ride. Tickets can be obtained from the LC&S RR. Details on the Leadville, Colorado and Southern RR are available at: https://www.leadville-train.com
Let the EC know if you plan on riding the train
General rules: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AS CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE THIS YEAR
1) SAFETY: This is an active railroad with passenger train traffic and work activity with single track alignment and at times the cars will be operating with passenger train or other activity. ALL participants must be very observant for ALL railroad activity at all times. Exercise Safety at ALL times in everything you do!
2) QUALIFICATIONS: The run is open to limited NARCOA compliant cars. Only operators who are NARCOA compliant for 2024 and are MENTORED will be allowed to operate. This run involves continuous high altitude grades with many blind curves and operation in conjunction with Passenger train traffic and MOW operations. You/Your car MUST be capable of towing/pushing a disabled car on grade.
3) NARCOA REQUIREMENTS: This is a NARCOA insured excursion and all rules and regulations for NARCOA apply.
4) RELEASES: The latest NARCOA Releases will be required to be SIGNED BY ALL participants on railroad property regardless of activity status. THE EC WILL HAVE THE GENERAL RELEASE …Do not pre-fill the releases in as a pre printed release with the excursion information will be used for consistency.
5) MENTORING: NOT available on this excursion. Please contact the EC at 719 568 7966 if you have questions. Mentored operators only.
6) CHOCKING: Wheel chocks or some sort of blocking device are mandatory. Use this device anytime you leave the car unattended. It must be removable to allow your car to be moved if you are not in attendance.
7) SPARK ARRESTERS: USFS approved spark arresters are required. (mandatory from US Forest Service)
8) TURNTABLES/TURNING DEVICES: It is highly recommended that your car be equipped with a turning device as available manual labor and track conditions may preclude turning the car by hand (see note at end of posting information). Current NARCOA rules on turntables/devices apply.
9) BREAKDOWNS: The “Zero Breakdown rule” will be strictly enforced on most run segments.
10) SMOKING: Federal No Smoking rules will be in effect on the Railroad as it is in a National Forest.
NO FIREWORKS!
11) CLIMAX MINE: ALL of the motorcar group/guests must stay on the Railroad Right of Way near the Climax mine at Storke Curve at end of track. MP137.5 (Federal Mining Law and Climax Mine mandate)
12) KEEPSAKES: Do not remove any Railroad property without permission of the EC or his assistant.
13) CAR POWER: At this altitude (10,000 ft plus) a naturally aspirated engine will lose approx. 30 % of available power. Grades can range up to 2% or better. Once you leave the Leadville yards, MP 150, its uphill to end of track MP 137.5. A change in drive ratio may improve the issue.
14) CAR INSPECTIONS:
Per NARCOA rules, it will be the responsibility of the individual operator to verify that their car meets ALL NARCOA requirements of the NARCOA inspection as listed on the NARCOA inspection form. Please ask a fellow operator to verify that your lights, brakes, safety equipment and other pertinent requirements are in running order prior to each run. You MUST have a PRE-COMPLETED NARCOA inspection form available for the EC which will be retained by the EC. EC may require additional inspection activity at time of event.
RELEASEs: THE EC OR HIS ASSISTANTS WILL HAVE THE NARCOA GENERAL/AFFILIATE RELEASE WHICH MUST BE USED AND SIGNED BY ALL PERSONS WHO ARE ON RAILROAD PROPERTY. PRE FILLED IN OPERATOR SUPPLIED RELEASES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ANYONE WHO ENTERS RR PROPERTY EVEN IF NOT PARTICIPATING IN A RUN MUST SIGN THE RELEASE(S.)
SAFETY MEETINGS: MUST be attended by all participants who are engaged in the run activities or who will spend time on RR property.
SCHEDULE: Note: the schedule is tentative and depends on railroad, weather or other “Act of God” activities. It may be necessary to adjust these times and activities according to operating conditions. You must furnish a valid E mail address and/or telephone to be used during your trip to receive these notifications. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to check your e mail or phone for last minute changes. Reasonable efforts will be made to contact registered participants of any critical changes.
SET ON: Friday, September 20th, 2024: 09:00 am to 2:00 pm as directed by the EC or his assistants. Set on near the LC&S RR roundhouse as directed by EC or assistants. Other set on times may be possible. DO NOT WAIT till end of set-on period to show up or you may not be able to operate on the Friday pending run. Call EC Jerry Geiger 719 568 7966 if you have questions. SET ON CUTOFF 2 PM unless the EC has given permission otherwise.
RUN 1; FRIDAY September 20th: SAFETY BRIEFING AT 3:00 PM. ALL participants MUST attend the safety meeting. Departure will be as soon as the LC&S RR gives the EC clearance after the afternoon train clears the yard after 4 pm. EC will have additional information on this run and we will be running in conjunction with a Special Train. Return to Leadville yards and tie up for the night. Evening is on your own.
RUN 2: Saturday September 21st, 2024: Safety briefing at 7:30 am. All participants MUST attend the safety meeting. Departure after the safety meeting. Return to Leadville yards at approx. 12:45 pm and a rest period. Lunch on your own. DETAILS for RUN 3 WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT END OF RUN 2. DO NOT DEPART THE AREA UNTIL EC HAS LAID OUT THE PLAN FOR RUN 3!
Run 3: Saturday September 21th, Safety briefing TO BE ANNOUNCED. ALL participants MUST attend the safety meeting. DEPARTURE TIME WILL BE ANNOUNCED at end of Run 2. Additional details to be announced at the run on Saturday morning.
Run 4: FINAL RUN: Sunday September 22nd: Safety briefing at 8:00 am. All participants MUST attend the safety meeting. Departure after the safety meeting. Return to Leadville yards at approx. 12:45 pm. Upon return to the Leadville yards, Setoff activities will commence, and this will conclude this excursion on the LC&S RR.
SET ON LOCATION: (General Area) Set on location will be at the LC&S RR roundhouse yards on the northeastern edge of Leadville. (Map programs may or may not show it) See below for additional information.
SET ON POSTED TIMES: Due to Railroad activities/run schedules , SETON will be limited to times indicated and will be cut-off as posted to allow sufficient time to complete the safety meetings and prepare your car for departure. Please be on time for set on to avoid being cutoff for that run. Individual Set-on’s as other than noted times may be considered on a case by case basis and must be pre-approved by the EC or assistants as railroad and EC schedules permit. Please be courteous. As you seton/setoff, move your equipment so that others may seton/setoff in a timely manner.
DIRECTIONS TO SET ON: Travel on Highway 24 to the northern edge of Leadville. Look for 12th Street. Turn east on 12th street and travel for approx. 1000 feet to Hazel Ave ( County road 8) which is a well used road and turn left or north. Travel about 3000 feet north of the intersection of 12th Street and Hazel ( county road 8) and you will come to a fork in the road with the roundhouse straight ahead and two modern homes to the west. This is the LC&S RR roundhouse yards. You will be directed where to set on.
The roundhouse/yards are almost due east ( about a ¼ of a mile) of Safeway/O”Reilly auto parts and other businesses located on Highway 24 but have to be accessed from either 12st or Sawmill road.
Actual set on location will be dependent on railroad activities. Locations may be dirt, gravel or a mixture of these types of materials. THERE ARE NO CONCRETE OR PAVED SETON AREAS.
LIMITATION ON TYPES OF CARS ALLOWED
Larger gang cars, ( “A” and similar) , Specialty, Homebuilt and Hy-Rail vehicles are not allowed on this railroad for various reasons. However there could be possible exceptions with EC and railroad approval. These cars or vehicles must have prior EC and Railroad approval before participation will be allowed. If in doubt, call Jerry Geiger 719 568 7966 to discuss a possible exception. DO NOT show up with a vehicle as above hoping you may be given an exception! CALL FIRST for a decision.
REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION:
There is a registration form available here on this website or on a separate sheet of paper please include the following information:
Registration must include:
1) Name of operator(s)
2) Copy of NARCOA current operator’s license(s) and insurance card(s)
3) E mail and postal addresses ( Make sure these are LEGIBLE!!!)
4) Car type and model?
5) NARCOA FCC Compliant Radio Equipped for NARCOA channel 1-3?
6) Contact phone numbers home and travel . (cell phone highly recommended)
7) Full payment at time of registration is required unless prior arrangements have been made with the EC. Make check or money order out to Rocky Mountain Division. (RMD)
PHONE REGISTRATIONS ARE NOT BEING TAKEN AT THIS TIME however you may call the EC Jerry Geiger to let him know your wanting to attend and to make sure the run is not full
Registration and payment should be mailed to:
Jerry Geiger, EC
3 Bramblewood Ln.
Pueblo, Colorado, 81005 E mail: jerryggeiger1@msn.com
PAYMENT:
Checks or money orders for $100 for all three days or $55 for one day should be made payable to Rocky Mountain Division (RMD) The LC&S RR in these trying times has agreed to hold the prices we paid last year. WE ARE UNABLE TO TAKE CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS !
NOTE: We will confirm your successful registration in one of two ways:
1) Via E mail address ( if it can be read!….so please make it clear, printing is highly suggested)
2) Via postal mail IF you include a SASE to send a reply back.
You are not considered to be registered unless you are confirmed! IF in doubt about being registered, contact Jerry Geiger at 719 568 7966 or at jerryggeiger1@msn.com
“Walk ins” are not allowed at this time. Certain exceptions may apply. Contact EC Jerry Geiger
719 568 7966 to discuss before the run date.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
There are a number of motels/hotels in the Leadville area but reservations should be made early as this is a popular summer tourist spot and Leadville sponsors many summer events. Visit www.leadville.com for details. Other sites may give additional information. The Silver King Inn and Suites and the Columbine Inn are two motels located a short distance from the Set on area. There are other area hotels located downtown and on the other side of town. Rooming may be available in Buena Vista, Colo. Which is about 35 miles south of Leadville.
ON SITE CAMPING:
Due to the availability of space and a working railroad with much increased operating train and MOW activity, parking space for overnight camping is limited and will be located NORTH of the roundhouse in the RR owned rental storage lot accessible from county road 8 ( just to the east of the RR yards) and strictly limited to “dry camping”. There are NO facilities such as electricity, water, toilet etc. Let EC Jerry Geiger know if you want to camp at the above location. YOU MUST CONTACT THE EC IF YOU INTEND ON CAMPING ON RR PROPERTY. HE IN TURN WILL CONTACT THE RR for permission. It is a short walk to the set on/car tie down area from the STORAGE UNIT area. There are a number of area campgrounds which may be able to provide these amenities if water/electricity/toilet is desired. There is a City sponsored “pay per use” RV dump station on the west end of Leadville as you exit town.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
This is a very high altitude run. The Railroad is the highest standard gage adhesion railroad in North America. We will be operating from an elevation of 10,000 ft above sea level to almost 11,300 feet. Grades vary between 0 and 2%. The majority of the run is “on grade”. A typical non turbocharged engine can lose in excess of 30 % of its sea level horsepower rating at this altitude. Although the weather can be quite pleasant, changeable weather from summer highs of 75ºF plus to freezing winter weather conditions can occur in short periods of time along our route. Heavy afternoon thunderstorms are possible and even snow in mid summer. Hypothermia is a very distinct possibility. Dress and plan accordingly. We will be on the mountain for extended lengths of time at times with no availability of food or drink. Restroom facilities are limited to local area businesses and your resources before we leave or to the “Great Outdoors” on the run.
TURNING A CAR: Due to the nature of our mountain environment and this RR, turning areas are not always optimum. There are no wyes, loops or other convenient means to turn a car. Conditions may vary from hard packed road surface to loose rock and soil or mud and even snow and ice. In addition due to the low number of cars allowed and physical limitations of various individuals, necessary manpower may NOT be available to help. This is particularly true for heavier cars. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CONSIDER A LIFTING AND TURNING DEVICE FOR YOUR CAR IF YOU DO NOT HAVE OTHER MEANS TO TURN IT. RULE of THUMB: “How would I turn this car if I was the only one available”?
As per NARCOA rules, and to avoid any disruption of RR activities, DO NOT contact the Railroad directly with any questions relating to Motorcar excursion activity! Jerry G Geiger EC.