ARM 2008 - Rails In The Rockies

ARM 2008 - RAILS IN THE ROCKIES - Photos and story by Don Evans

One of the highlights of every year for this writer has become the annual conference of the Association of Railway Museums, which this year was held in Colorado Springs, Colorado in September. Hosts were the Pikes Peak Trolley Museum and the Pueblo Railway Museum, and the real hard work was done by the coordinators Mike and Sigi Walker. West Coast Railway Association had a great contingent of participants this year—with Colin Smith and Bobbi, Jeremy Davy and Donna, Randy Lucas and Lynn, Susan Steen, and Don Evans and Deb all making the trip. As WCRA is hosting ARM 2009, we had some close watching and learning to do!

Tuesday, September 9—We were off from Vancouver on United Airlines for Denver, a three hour direct flight. At Denver we picked up a rental car and headed for Colorado Springs, a couple of hours drive away. Along the way on I 25 you are treated to the joint line operations of BNSF and Union Pacific, which operate directionally as CN and CP do in the Fraser Canyon. The north south line sees lots of coal traffic originating out of the Power River basin. On arrival we found the host hotel, the Crowne Plaza, and settled in.

Wednesday, September 10—We headed north for Golden, CO and the Colorado Railroad Museum where we had time to visit and update on their progress, and take a good look at the restoration work on their three narrow gauge “Goose” vehicles. These unique vehicles are built on automotive or truck frames and are classic Colorado history. CRRM has three of the seven that were built, and was working to have all three operating by November for their first “Goose Fest”! (photo page 22, Goose #2)

While we drove up, a group from the conference came on a pre-conference trip by motor coach and were treated to a full tour, a “Goose ride” and lunch. We had to get back to set up our exhibit for ARM 2009, so headed back by lunch time, stopping in at the US Air Force Academy on the way where we were treated to a rare helicopter show!

Back at the conference venue, we found Susan and got to work setting up our table of brochures, 2009 conference information and a continuous slide show of our Heritage Park in Squamish which remained throughout the conference. We received great interest and hope to draw a good crowd to British Columbia in September 2009. The conference officially opened at 5:00PM with an opening reception and good food / drink, as well as live entertainment.

Thursday, September 11—The first full day of the conference is underway, opening with a great plenary session by Bill Withun from the Smithsonian, whose inspiring talk was titled “Why We Do It”. I always come away from the conference inspired with something new for us to do, and this set my mind towards how we tell our own incredible story about how the railways were instrumental in creating the Western Canada we know today. The plenary session was followed by the first breakout seminars of the conference.

At 1100, we broke and boarded the motor coaches for our first conference trip. The group split in two for these, our group was headed for the Royal Gorge and the spectacular train ride through the narrow gorge of the Arkansas River. The train and ride didn’t disappoint, even though we had done this before. Not only that—in draws both Colin and Bobbi and Deb and myself were drawn for cab rides—they took westbound and we took eastbound.

The F units and 16 car train were a first class operation as we threaded the gorge on the 12 mile run that included grand views from the open cars of river rafters and the suspension bridge over 1,000 feet above! The views from the cab of Royal Gorge F9A 403 with engineer Tony in charge were great. (Page 23)

We weren't done yet, as our group next headed over to the Pueblo Railway Museum where we had time to look at the beautiful red block station and museum’s collection, which features Santa Fe 4-8-4 #2912—unfortunatley somewhat disassembled. Here is an example of hard work by volunteers, but with very limited space and resources.

A short ride on a train with a pair of GP-9’s and cabooses was offered—Colin Smith found the front of 102 a good vantage point (photo)

After this, we headed back for Colorado Springs with Roger, our coach driver, and reunited with the others for dinner in Giuseppe’s Restaurant, which is hosed in the Colorado Springs former railway station. It was great ambiance as there was regular passing of trains on the mainline just outside the windows!

Friday, September 12—The day started off with two rounds of seminars (including one given by your writer on Museum Planning) and then we were off again on round 2 of the tours. This time our group was headed for Pikes Peak, the spectacular climb to the top at 14,110 feet on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Unfortunately (or so we thought) it was a gray and wet morning.

However, as we left the base station at Manitou Springs, the skies opened and we were treated to good views an the way up—including a snow capped peak! Just as we neared the summit, however, the skies closed in again and we stepped off the train into fresh snow, cold wind and fog. While the view was not great, the experience was unique as we struggled with the 14,000+ elevation to the summit house, warmth, food and souvenirs.

(Deb and Susan at 14,110 feet altitude)

Back down from the mountain, we headed for the Pikes Peak Trolley Museum and had a tour of their facilities. The highlight here for us was the operator of their short ride in PCC streetcar 2129—she was a gem, had started operating streetcars in Pittsburgh during World War II, and now—60 years later—came regularly to operate at the museum! Her stories had us captivated in the car for a long time!

Saturday, September 13—The last full day of the conference offered a selection of off site “seminar experiences”, and the ARM Board meeting. The day capped off with a lovely banquet, where your writer had an opportunity to invite the attendees to come to Vancouver / Squamish in September 2009 and promote our planned event.

Sunday, September 14—The close of the official part of the conference saw the Annual Meeting of the Association of Railway Museums. This meeting ended nine years of yours truly being part of the ARM Board of Directors—a role I have greatly enjoyed for those years. I am remaining involved with ARM as an Advisory Member to the board, with my role continuing to be to help with ARM’s Strategic Planning, something I look forward to.

This day is also my birthday, and there is a very special trip planned—a day trip out to La Veta to “Steam Over LaVeta Pass”. This is the standard gauge route of the well known San Luis Express, and climbs the spectacular route to the pass which is at the 10,000 foot level—the highest standard gauge rail line in operation, operated by the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad.

It is a three hour motor coach ride to LaVeta, and we are glad to get there. On arrival we see the steam locomotive, 2-8-0 #18, simmering on the wye and being lubricated for the return trip to Alamosa. Unfortunately, they also seem to be working on the engine and we learn that they have an axle bearing problem. Departure time comes and goes and they keep working on the loco. Finally, she whistles off and we are able to board the train and prepare to depart. We have been there almost three hours at this point, and their customer organization is also stretched.

The consist is also quite unique—we have #18 on the point, two “coaches” - which are vintage cars, one with lengthwise wood bench seats for seating, an ex Santa Fe full length dome and a home made parlour car with concession, swivel seats and open platform. After much work, we manage to upgrade into the parlour car and we are set to go. The ride up the grade makes us soon forget the La Veta problems, as #18 works hard up the hill.

There are, however, more stops made to check the bearing along the way. At the summit we meet the eastbound train, powered by a B40-7 diesel and with a full dome and a coach for consist. Then we make our way down some spectacular loops to drop elevation, see a nice herd of elk, and continue towards Alamosa. We are, however, now a couple of hours late and losing so the decision is made to call the motor coaches to come and meet us.

We then motorcoach into the sunset to a late dinner in Alamosa, and return to Colorado Springs just before midnight. A long, but unforgettable day. And so ends another great ARM Conference. We are looking forward to hosting ARM 2009 and are already well along with our planning. Mark your calendars for September 16 to 20, 2009 and plan to join in on a great event.