The Colorado Railroad Museum Rail Report continues a long tradition that began with the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club, connecting rail enthusiasts through shared history, preservation, and a love of railroading. Now produced by the Museum, the newsletter brings together longtime Rocky Club members and new readers alike by sharing stories of preservation and restoration developments, current rail news, progress on Museum projects and Rocky Mountain Railroad Club history.
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We’re delighted to continue this long tradition with a new look and feel. All aboard!.
Paul Hammond Dave Schaaf
Executive Director Rail Report Editor
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Rail Watch
Current highlights and on-the-ground happenings in railroading today.
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Former California Zephyr dome car "Silver Rifle" is shown eastbound near Cheyenne, Wyoming. It will be restored in Ohio, and eventually return to its new owner, the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden. Photo from September 9, 2026 © by Chip.
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A Colorado Pacific Rio Grande freight train is seen here near the town of La Veta, Colorado, on September 18, 2026. This is on the former D&RGW, later Union Pacific, line between Walsenburg and Alamosa. Photo © John Stephens.
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Over Labor Day weekend, the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City hosted its inaugural Motor Car Rally, bringing together a collection of historic and replica motor cars from across the American West. The three-day event, held September 5–7, celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Museum’s Tucson, Cornelia & Gila Bend No. 401 Edwards Car. Photo © Nevada State Railroad Museum.
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Among the visiting equipment was the Colorado Railroad Museum’s Rio Grande Southern “Galloping Goose” No. 7. Built in 1931, Goose No. 7 was one of seven unique motor cars constructed by the Rio Grande Southern to provide economical passenger and mail service over the railroad’s narrow-gauge route through southwestern Colorado. Photo © Jeff Taylor.
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The rally gave visitors an opportunity to see and ride a variety of historic motor cars, including Death Valley Railroad Brill Motor Car No. 5 and the “Sarah Kidder,” along with replicas of Virginia & Truckee No. 24 and Nevada Central 107-C. The event also featured live music, food, family activities, and behind-the-scenes tours, providing a fitting celebration of the unique equipment that helped railroads serve communities across the West. Photo © Nevada State Railroad Museum.
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The Colorado Railroad Museum was pleased to have Galloping Goose No. 7 represent Colorado at this gathering of historic motor cars. Photos © Nevada State Railroad Museum.
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Rocky Mountain Rail Preservation
CHALLENGES AND CHANGES FOR RAIL PRESERVATION IN COLORADO
By John Bush
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This month I am focused on challenges and threats to the continued preservation of Colorado railroad history. A couple of recent and disturbing events have occurred. The first is that remaining steam locomotives at the Lahaina Kaanapali & Pacific in Hawaii have been cut up for scrap. While not in the Rockies, it is nonetheless a tragedy for railroad preservation. Museums of Western Colorado plans to cease operating Cross Orchards as a museum site beginning in 2027 as part of its long-term revitalization strategy. Efforts are underway to identify another nonprofit or steward to continue the site’s legacy as a community resource.
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The Cross Orchards Historic site is part of the Museums of Western Colorado. Cross Orchards was originally a 243-acre apple orchard founded in 1899 by Walter & Elizabeth Cross. It was 20 times larger than the other orchards in the region. It produced apples, pears, and some peaches. It struggled to maintain profitability. The Codling moth (apple worm) infestation bankrupted the company, and in 1923 the property was split up into 40-acre plots. These were sold off to private individuals. Agriculture continued but on a much smaller scale. In 1981, the remaining 21-acre portion came up for sale. The Museums of Western Colorado purchased it, and Cross Orchards Historic Site was opened to the public in 1983.
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Along with the “Packing barn”, bunkhouse, antique agricultural machinery collection, and a small fruit orchard, Cross Orchards is home to a large HO scale model railroad that portrays the Grand Junction passenger station, roundhouse, hump yard, and classification yard. Having lived in Grand Junction in the fall and winters in the 1950s, I was amazed by the accuracy and detail of the layout.
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Cross Orchards is the home a significant Uintah Railway collection, including a caboose, a tool car, a bunk car, an outfit car, two boxcars, a flat car, and a stock car.
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Museums of Western Colorado has announced plans to discontinue operations at Cross Orchards as a museum-run site after the 2026 season while exploring long-term stewardship options.
Several factors have combined to put the Museum in this situation. Rising operating costs, coupled with aging buildings at three separate sites, have created a perfect storm. The admission price has been set lower than at other similar museums. For many years, admission to the Cross Orchards site was completely free, without underwriting. The county (Mesa) has a mil levy intended to support the museum, but while the legislation said up to 1 mil, it did not require any funding. In 2008, at the peak of county funding, the museum received $578,000. By 2025, funding had been reduced to $337,000. When corrected for inflation, the $578,000 in 2015 would be $864,000 in today's dollars. County funding is unrestricted general funds. Cross Orchards does not have any federal grant funding. The current federal administration has drastically reduced the available pool of grant money through recent executive orders that cut funding across the board for all cultural organizations. As a result, there is significantly more competition for grants from other sources. The Museum does not have an endowment to help support operating costs.
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In 2021, Museums of Western Colorado sold seven of the remaining 21 acres to a developer. The current total acreage is 14. Some of the proceeds from that sale have been used to establish a small endowment fund, which has been used for major capital improvements for Cross. However, these funds are still considered general capital funds for the entire museum organization. Overall, we understand that the goal is to find or create a non-profit organization that will take over and manage the site intact, including the large model railroad and the Uintah railway collection, so it can remain together as it has since the museum opened in 1983. It Is important that railroad museums secure ownership of the property on which they are located. If operation is planned, it is important to secure a buffer around the property to reduce the likelihood of adversely affecting their neighbors. It is important to build and maintain strong positive community relations. A strong business plan and marketing plan are essential. Outreach to schools and educational programs for children helps build community support. Special events focused on entertainment and holidays can be a source of extra revenue.
I wish to thank Shenna Hayden, Executive Director, Museums of Western Colorado & Michael Nuttall, President of the Grand Valley Model Railroad Club.
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A note from Shenna Hayden, Executive Director, Museums of Western Colorado:
The recent losses in railroad preservation remind us how essential it is to support institutions that are actively working to safeguard our shared history. Even amid challenges, the Museums of Western Colorado continue to push forward with revitalization efforts, modernizing exhibits, strengthening community engagement, and preserving the stories that define the Western Slope. Cross Orchards has long been one of those anchors, a place where agriculture, railroading, and local heritage come together in a way found nowhere else. As the site prepares for its seasonal closure, the priority now is ensuring its future through a dedicated nonprofit partner who can maintain the integrity of the model railroad, the Uintah Railway collection, and the historic grounds. With renewed community support and the museum’s commitment to preservation, there is real opportunity for Cross Orchards to enter its next chapter not as a loss, but as a revitalized, well‑stewarded resource that continues to inspire and educate for generations to come. If you would like to get involved, email info@mowc.co or please visit our website: Museums of Western Colorado – Adventure Awaits with Three Museum Site Experiences. I would also encourage you to visit the Grand Valley Model Railroad Club’s site as well, Grand Valley Model Railroad Club.
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A Bit of Rocky Mountain Railroad Club History By Jim Ehernberger
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In 1949, when the Club chartered a special train movement on the Rio Grande Southern, it was necessary to make the trip in two days. Last month we covered the first day out of Ridgway to Telluride and the Pandora Basin on Saturday, May 28th. The engine was turned, but the cars were not turned. That night was spent in Telluride. On the next day, Sunday, May 29th, the train was pulled in reverse from Telluride to Vance Junction. The locomotive was turned on the wye at that location, and then proceeded to Lizard Head. It was a typical day on the RGS. Along the way, the excursion train placed failed Goose 4 (on its regular run) into the Matterhorn siding. At Lizard Head station, the train was turned on the wye within the snowshed, and backed about a mile where it was spotted for photographs that included Lizard Head peak. From that location, Goose 6 broke down and was towed and placed on the Lizard Head siding. The operation was not delayed and proceeded to Ridgway.
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Early on the morning of Sunday, May 29, 1949, engine 74 towed the train in reverse order to Vance Junction and turned on the wye. This is an image of the locomotive returning to the main track. It wil back to the cars, and then proceed on to Lizard Head.
Jack A. Pfeifer Photo / James L. Ehernberger Collection.
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Everyone looked forward to riding over the huge trestle entering the Ophir station area. In fact, there were several large trestles in this region. The track looped around and the line climbed along the mountainside where one could view the vast San Miguel valley and another level of trackage just below. Ophir had an active station, with a post office, and the small business community nestled within that area, as well as a tipple for loading minerals from local mines. Jack A. Pfeifer Photo / James L. Ehernberger Collection.
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The Rio Grande Southern’s herald contained an image of Lizard Head peak. The peak was located about a mile from Lizard Head station. After the train was turned at Lizard Head on a wye located within the covered snow shed, it made a reverse movement, and was spotted at this location for photographers. Passengers were allowed to get off of the train to in order to situate themselves in a proper location to obtain a photograph similar to this. At this location Work Goose 6 had broken down, and by use of a long bar, it was attached to the rear of the excursion train and towed to Lizard Head, then it was placed on the siding. Obviously, quite a lot of snow remains at this 10,000-foot location on May 29, 1949.
Jack A. Pfeifer Photo / James L. Ehernberger Collection.
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Placerville was located 26 miles from Ridgway. From this location, it would be at least two hours before reaching the end of the run at Ridgway. This scene was taken along the opposite side of the river by crossing on the foot bridge at the far right of the image. The San Miguel River was flowing higher than normal, with a lot of spring run-off. The station is in the background above the first coach. Engine 74 was built for the Colorado & Northwestern Railway out of Boulder. That railroad became the Denver, Boulder & Western until 1917 when the line was abandoned, and its motive power was sold to the Colorado & Southern. It was one of the last locomotives in service out of Leadville until the Climax Branch was made standard gauge in 1943. Morse Brothers Machinery, Denver junk dealers, had the locomotive in its yard, and the RGS purchased it in 1948. The City of Boulder acquired No. 74 for display in 1952, and it is today displayed at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden.
Jack A. Pfeifer Photo / James L. Ehernberger Collection.
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Content contributions this month from Chip Sherman, J.W. Stephens, John Bush, Jim Ehernberger and Jeff Taylor. Editorial assistance from Paul Hammond & Matthew Isaacks.
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