7: Grand Junction to Ouray, Colorado - Historic Railroad Sites

The Grande Tour Episode 7.
Day 5: 13th July 2023
Tracing Rio Grande history, we start in Grand Junction and view the historic station building AND see the California Zephyr run through. Then, I drive South following the direction of the Rio Grande branch to Montrose where tracks still run to, (this is where Standard Gauge ended). Onwards from Montrose which was once the Narrow Gauge line to Ridgway and on to the BEAUTIFUL town of Ouray.
Spurring from this video will be:
- Cimarron Canyon Rail Exhibit
- Ridgway Railroad Museum
- Ouray, from the ground and high above
Then there will be... Tracing the Rio Grande Southern!!!
If you'd like to support me after this very expensive trip and for the future, there is a "Super Thanks" function near the 'Like' button. Not expected, but would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
This is part of my amazing historic railroad-based trip between Salt Lake City and Denver.
Please make sure you are subscribed, and please save the playlist:
• 1: Historic Train Stat...
Grand Junction station redevelopment:
www.gjuniondep...
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Please SUBSCRIBE as there is so much to come! Model trains, real trains and fun stuff.
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FACEBOOK: / thatbigtrainguy

[@haworth7]

Thanks so much - I SO enjoy going through all these tracking the D&RG and RGS videos. You've created some wonderful footage!

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

@@haworth7 Thank you. That mean a lot to me. Just taking so long to work through it all, (over a year now!) Lot's more to come 😉

[@bobbybaldeagle702]

I'm so very much enjoying these videos!!! Thank you for sharing them... BBE..

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

This pleases me greatly. Thank you Bobby!

[@Cape_Cod_Steve]

Capturing the scenery you experienced so very well. I'm with your Mum on that last scramble ! CCS

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

Oh the scenery gets better. And that part my mum didn't like: That gets worse 😂 Cheers CCS! 👍

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Your commentaries on this tour was great!!!

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

I'm glad. Thanks so much!

[@richardhill1377]

Another great video Simon with wonderful scenery, and very welcome sunshine at this time of the year!

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

The weather was great. Oh to be there again. Thanks Rik!

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Another great video. I bet you had a great time touring. Cool!!!

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

I had the best time. Thank you!

[@johnlazar7582]

I enjoyed riding along with you on this leg of your journey, Simon. It's been quite a few years since I've been in the western part of the US. The scenery is truly stunning, and you did a great job capturing it. Thank you!

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

Thank you. Yes, I love the area so much. Thanks for joining me!

[@user-ik4hm1ks5u]

Great timing to meet Amtrak

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

Very lucky. No planning at all!

[@SUMONMIAH-mg4lt]

Your video is really awesome

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

Thank you! I appreciate that 👍

[@northernutahlivesteam3566]

We really like Grand Junction. Will need to make the trek to Ouray. It looks great, and there seems to be a lot of RR things to stop and see on the way.

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

Oh yes, visit Ouray. It's a beautiful place steeped in history. Not only the rich railroad history nearby, but of course the Million Dollar Highway heading to Silverton, which of course was built by Otto Mears (the Rio Grande Southern guy). I'm sad I didn't get to drive that road, but I was headed in other directions.

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Cobi]

You had awesome weather. I look forward to the museum vids. The California Zephyr was a good catch! I have ridden in Amtrak coaches like those. They are super cool.

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

The weather was great the whole two weeks. I saw some rain on the horizon doing Cumbres & Toltec, and it rained in Denver while I was dining on my last night, but otherwise is was pure sunny weather. I do spot the Zephyr again later on 😉. Cheers Terry!

[@Terrys-Steam-and-Cobi]

@@ThatBIGTRAINGuy those big Amtrak trains are awesome so I look forward to the next time it comes ‘round in your vids.

[@davidgriffiths6179]

Great video again we called in for a visit to the west colorado raceway on our visit. I was suprised by the number of locos layed up. That was 2019. At G junction.

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

Oh cool. Yeah, anything I've ever seen of Grand Junction there are always a number of locos there. I wanted to go and look at more of the yards but, I had other places to be and people to meet.

[@BecsterDotCom]

Ah jeez such a tease with your “that’ll be in another video”! Means I’ll have to keep watching I know! And the “hip hop Ouray” got me laughing 😂 Absolutely stunning scenery over there. It’s an epic trip so far!

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

Haha!!! Yessss, I am a tease 😋 But, this day is now complete as of this Monday. Yes, four videos to complete this particular day. I love the scenery here. But, it gets better! I'm glad you've been binge-watching today 😂

[@BecsterDotCom]

@@ThatBIGTRAINGuy fab!

[@davidwhite1864]

Im so glad Chief Ouray liked trains.3 cheers for Chief Ouray. A lovely looking place Ouray.If you took the cars away it would be like stepping back in time.Such a shame so many of these places have no railway now. Another super video Simon🤘

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

Hip, hip,... Ouray!!! 😁 Oh Ouray is so beautiful. I was in constant amazement just loving the characterful buildings and the stunning mountains that hug the town on all sides. The "sunset" lasted about 3 hours! I will show where the old rail station was, and drive along the old railroad path out of the town. That's to come... Thank you Dave! 🤘

[@davidwhite1864]

Ive really enjoyed every video. The scenery the railways the funny Simon bits everything.You know making it into one long video at some point might be a good Idea.🤔

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

@@davidwhite1864 Oh God, that will be HOURS!!! My Mum only said yesterday "Do you think you could put them on a DVD?" I said "A DVD?....... A... DVD? It'll take many!" 🤣 I'm so glad you're enjoying them. Thank you Dave ❤️

[@davidwhite1864]

Well you could edit down to just the best bits.Should only be about 10 hrs then😊

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

​@@davidwhite1864Haha! Yeah,... maybe 🤔

[@Xenthera]

So weird watching a british guy travel around where I grew up lol

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

Haha! I know, right? Novelty 😎

[@fergman300]

Cool history thanks for sharing... on the old buildings...but the actual station being used is a dump. Hope they do something....but we've been hearing that old song and dance for decades. Millions of dollars have disappeared from past investment scams on these properties.

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

Oh is it? I didn't even think to go in and have a look! Shame it's not up to standard. Hopefully the redevelopment project goes ahead in 2024 and maybe the current building will get some care too. Thank you!

[@farmerdave7965]

It's called Grand Junction because the Colorado river used to be called the Grand river.

[@ThatBIGTRAINGuy]

Cool! 👍