Como Roundhouse Restoration - Klondike Kate Steam Locomotive

[@la-platadurango1618]

One thing about traveling through the great state of Colorado, to see some of these wonderful places..... Plan on taking time... Not making time. There are no direct or easy routes to these wonderful sites. Plan on narrow 2 lane roads.. High mountain elevations.. windy twisty roads.. and cooler temperatures. One will be rewarded with breathtaking scenery, small out of the way towns, and history. So happy to see the past being preserved in these communities. A wonderful trip!!

[@PowerTrain611]

Sounds like most of highway 50 in a nutshell! Don't go in winter if you plan on taking that road... it's gonna be closed at the first sign of snow.

[@thegoodmilk7313]

Gosh I remember spending my 2017 summer watching my dad work on the turntable and it's pit. It felt so enchanting being in the round house. I can proudly say I helped with fundraising. I also have a scare on my knee from falling in the pit.

[@lifeisagift.cherisheverymoment]

I really enjoyed watching this video and seeing the Como area restoration. Thank you.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Beautiful place🚂

[@ronhatch6010]

Remarkable job. We lived in Colorado in the late 90s and the roundhouse was just a old stone reminder out in the field. Exciting to see it restored and being loved.

[@ToyManTelevision]

So great it was never torn down. So many things are, often for no real reason.

[@carmillakarnstein691]

Wow! An Beautiful Restoration!

[@JerkRice]

I will have to make point to visit Como some time. I love seeing all these little Colorado mountain towns.

[@Tricky929]

Got to love your presentations. Keep them coming.

[@ggsumner1947]

Dale and Karyn, another great railroad adventure. A good one Dale on the arm strong 💪 turntable. You cracked me up 😂😂. Welcome back Karyn.

[@kerridillon3120]

Mr & Mrs Toyman _ thanks again for another fun & informative video on the train charms of the old West in Colorado! If only those rails could talk!

[@jerrysmith1929]

Although I've driven by Como many times I stopped there only twice and that was quite a few years ago. On one occasion I ate lunch in a cafe which was located in the old hotel. At that time the station was without paint and appeared to be not much more than a stack of boards. So the restoration is amazing. At the time of my visits the roundhouse had no windows and restoration was not much more than a hope at that time. Nice to see all of the progress. The drive over Boreas Pass is to Breckenridge is amazing. That road is unpaved, but I made the drive in a standard sedan.

[@timothyboles6457]

As I recall, a family owned all the property that the Como railroad buildings were on. And had done some maintenance on the buildings so they wouldn't deteriorate down to complete ruins. Glad to see what has been done. I think I know the guy running the 4 in the video. Hopefully you guys can get back there and see progress

[@TheCrewChief374]

Nothing wrong, going one narrow gate convention, to narrow gate convention, if you are having fun in between! 😀

[@Klingon-pp4fv]

I'm trying to remodel my work shop to look like an abandoned RXR Station Your posting gave me some more ideas thanks TM

[@ToyManTelevision]

WOW. Have not seen that one. Depot, yes. (Garagemahall) Steam punk. BUT abandoned station. FUN.

[@pinchy08]

It warms my heart to see vintage railroad equipment come back to life. I would have done anything to get a ride in the cab of that restored steam locomotive. I hope the roundhouse restoration gets finished too. Lots to go on getting everything whipped back into shape. Making all look as if you stepped into the 1890s.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Dito!! So great to see this stuff going on. Como. Laws California, almost the exact same kind of project. SP narrow gauge. AND Ridgeway building a brand new locomotive!!!!!

[@realmagicjon]

Thanks from Australia.I love coming home from a hard days work and watching your vids,I think you have a great narrators voice.Cheers Jon.

[@detroitredneckdetroitredne6674]

what an adventure thanks again for sharing up in Harrisville Michigan they have a stone Depot that the locals rebuilt when I saw it as a kid it was in really bad shape I will see if I can find photographs for you

[@tharakadamsarademattanpiti4012]

Lovely I wish they get more funding for a longer track.. Welldone ...

[@ATSFVentaSpurNscaler]

Nostalgia--what a wonderful thing! Thanks, Dale and Karyn, for taking us back in history of the old Como Roundhouse and forward in time for its restoration and that of associated railroad artifacts. It's a fascinating glimpse into the past and present of this Colorado narrow-gauge heritage site. -from Tom Pilling

[@ToyManTelevision]

What a great off the map place... Mils away from miles away.

[@jonheller2307]

Thank you for a great session on Como.

[@ToyManTelevision]

What a beautiful place.

[@NicksCollectableCreations]

So that's where that locomotive went. I had seen that outside of their shop once a couple years ago with the bare wooden cab and thought it was a pretty big project for those boys to be doing. Glad to know where it went and see it actually being put to use other than wasted as a display piece in front of a Casino. Since I am in the very early stages of an ON30 layout, perhaps Como will be a good place to model after since it might work good in my small space.

[@drgw4883]

Yes! Thank you for this! I’ve been trying to find information on Como! I only found some old pictures of the roundhouse before the restoration.

[@ToyManTelevision]

It's turning out great. Sort of not know well outside the people there. Needs more press!! Should turn out to be very popular.

[@justindampier5108]

Been told a well balanced table will turn easily. Wish Colorado wasn't so far from me!

[@TrainsWow]

Wow! The depot looks awesome!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Right? This is turning out great!!!

[@PowerTrain611]

Been to St. Elmo, thats a neat little ghost town. Went to the top of tincup pass while I was there, Beautiful view at something like 12000 feet above sea level at the summit. Leadville is nice too, with the Leadville Colorado and Southern. Buena Vista is just up the highway a bit from my hometown of Salida, too. All of Colorado is so beautiful. Never thought I would see such views with my naked eyes!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Love what they are doing up there. And great old grades.

[@JDMilitaria]

not sure why this was on my recommended list, but im glad it was

[@ToyManTelevision]

We are glad too! Not sure what your usual views are but bet we have something for you here.

[@struck2soon]

Interesting! Looks like some good progress on the roundhouse, always nice to see projects like this forging ahead.

[@ToyManTelevision]

These guys and the guys at Laws ca. Like a race to see who can get what done first.

[@QueerOkie]

#4 was not acquired directly from the Yukon. South Park got her from Georgetown Loop who purchased her from Camp Dry Gulch USA. I assisted in her partial restoration there. (Sadly she is too big/long to run on the Dry Gulch and Silver City.) before us she stagnated in a field in El Reno, Ok having come from Wisconsin by way of Missouri. Certainly a well traveled Old Lady! Thank you for sharing this video! It was good to see her in steam again!!

[@ToyManTelevision]

John and Con did a great job getting her back up!!!!

[@QueerOkie]

Toy Man Television they certainly did! I’m planning a trip in the near future to go see her.

[@johnnyjames7139]

My memory of Como in the 1970's was that it was the coldest place I have ever visited, and that was summer.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Colorado Rocky Mountain high. As in can’t breathe.

[@carlsorensennb7c750]

Great! Now I want to go to Como.... Thanks alot ;-)

[@jayfmiller]

Using Google Earth one can see the ghosts of the original rail beds coming in and out of COMO. What a dream it would be to relay track for a tourist railway that would reach to a major highway.

[@kirkbobo1363]

I was there on 8/19/17 operation day, so fun to see steam engine running Parrie 262 #4 Next year another operation day is planned with possible rides on train.

[@ToyManTelevision]

That will be FUN. Looking forward to taking a RIDE.

[@kevp9601]

AWESOME!

[@ToyManTelevision]

Fun project! Good people too.

[@IowaTrainGay]

The hotel I believe is open to the public now! And I see John has been putting a ton of new videos up too. Maybe time to take another trip to Como? 😉😁

[@ToyManTelevision]

Yup. Time to get back. As soon as the snow melts. So like July?

[@Duececoupe]

Great video....as always! Even though I looooove my BIG steamers....you can't beat the charm of the small....ladies....and narrow gauge! Some steam each day, to keep the doctors away....right? 😉😄 Looking forward to your next video! 👋

[@nathancorcoran5347]

I saw # 4 in display in the museum in the Georgetown loop and film it there and now it was remove to the como roundhouse.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

I don't know if was but it look great.

[@Flyby-1000]

Awesome vids... I'm hooked... Man, I wish I knew about all these places of Railroad history when I was living out there back in "99-"09. I would have love to have see them. I used to drive up to Moffat Tunnel East Portal out of Rollinsville, Co. The road runs next to the UP mainline up to the 7 mile long tunnel that goes through the divide... Then I'd take the old railroad grade up to the Needle's Eye Tunnel at the Continental Divide. I never made it to the other side where it goes down to Winter Park and also where the Moffat tunnel's west portal is. I hear there's still a lot of old trestles left on that grade. It'd be neat to check it out, however, I'd suggest an SUV...like a Jeep... Wish I had the time to screw around more often, although here in Florida, there's not enough time to hunt old grades and enjoy the other activities it has to offer... Keep up the great vids...

[@ToyManTelevision]

We are planning a trip in the Summer. Or Fall. Or???

[@johnbeck3270]

Dwayne Miller of Caboose Hobbies commissioned, I believe, Builders in Scale to produce a hydrocal cast kit in O scale of the Como round house. I managed to acquire one when they reduced the price on them. The kit is still in the box, I just don’t have the heart to try to assemble it because I’m afraid of breaking it. Just thought you might be interested.

[@ToyManTelevision]

I’ve seen it built. Wow. It’s amazing

[@kenshores9900]

Google says you were at 9800 ft of elevation. No wonder you were gasping for air. I will have to visit Cimo. That is near the parts of Colorado we visit. Neat episode.

[@ToyManTelevision]

And the pass into there was much higher. We almost got astronauts wings!

[@LionelTrains50]

I have one of the original dsp&p railroad spikes from the 1870s they look like the same size as the Durango and Silverton railroad spikes

[@Brian_rock_railfan]

they maybe be building up to boreas pass,co! and than to maybe to breckenridge,co? also will a c&s steam loco be coming to como,co soon ?

[@ToyManTelevision]

71 is being rebuilt. Hum............. And the one from the Grorgetown, could it ever run again.... ??? Lets hope!!

[@stevemellin5806]

Cool thank you wow iam going thier in summer

[@ToyManTelevision]

Amazing place. Want to "brave" the drive to Leadville.

[@williamwargo3066]

Hey Toy Man: One summer when I was one of the engineers on the Leadville Colorado & Southern RR in Leadville, I drove over Highway 24 from Minturn to Leadville a couple of times, a interesting road, you get to see down onto the old Rio Grande at the high Highway Bridge at the Red Cliff Bridge. Another great drive is the one on Colorado 91 going over Fremont Pass and past the Molybdenum mine at the pass top and also this follows the old narrow gauge line from Leadville to Copper Mountain and I-70, try driving it in snow and ice and the road / drive up from Buena Vista is a piece of cake, nothing to it. While in Leadville, go see Baby Does mine, and her story. She was a beautiful lady, and then keep on driving over the mountains to Molly Browns mine, of the unsinkable Molly Brown days of the Titanic. And if your still brave, drive over Independence Pass heading down into Aspen. Oh, don't forget to stop at the ghost town of Independence. Just a little remembrance.

[@williamwargo3066]

Also Toy Man, I forgot to mention that the roundhouse in Leadville is of Colorado & Southern fame. One of the stalls, at least when I was there, had the narrow gauge inspection pit in side. Remember this line was standard gauged when the narrow gauge line was abandoned, so the Colorado & Southern still could take out all that valuable Molybdenum and bring it down to Leadville and interchange it with the D&RGW.

[@weeniedogwrangler7096]

If you haven't done so already, I highly recommend reading a book called "Goin' Railroading" by Margaret Coel, as told by Sam Speas, if you want to get a feel for what it was like in Como and on the South Park line back in the day. I'm so glad to see Como getting the attention it so richly deserves. Wish they could do as much for the Alpine tunnel engine house and the tunnel itself.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Have not been up that way. Must see!!!!

[@weeniedogwrangler7096]

Absolutely a must see if you can get there. Unfortunately there was an avalanche at the Palisades in 2016 that took out a part of the railroad grade that serves as the road up to the western portal where the station, turntable and some track have been restored. The remains of the engine house is there as well. As far as I know the road is still closed and I haven't heard anything about it being repaired. You could access the western portal if you go over the ridge from the Chalk Canyon/east portal side but I think that requires a quad or a long hike and it's way up there at around 11,000 ft or so. I was last there in 2002 so things may have changed as far as access is concerned from the east side. Read up on the DSP&P before you go to get the full appreciation of what the people who worked the tunnel division had to go through to build and maintain the Alpine tunnel. It is a most remarkable place full of palpable history. As an aside, the road that was the old DSP&P right-of-way from Como to Boreas Pass is also a great drive. I think it goes all the way to Breckenridge but you'd have to check on that and current road conditions. When I was there the road was in very good shape but that was 15 years ago so I don't know how it is now.

[@ToyManTelevision]

We dumped the Seabring as it was mostly dead, AND we needed something that can go over some of these milder roads. The Mustangs with racing suspension can't drive over small pebbles. So we bagged a Honda Element. Now back to the wilderness!!

[@weeniedogwrangler7096]

I have a 2006 Element and I love it. I can get 4 bales of hay in the back when the seats are out which is great if I don't want to fire up my big truck. You can sleep in the back in a pinch, too. Their ground clearance isn't great, tho', mainly due to the cage around the fuel tank, but they're okay if you're not climbing big rocks. Mine has AWD and was great for the snow country when I lived in the Sierras. It would have gone over the DSP&P line up to Alpine tunnel if I had had it during my trip up there (had an old Jeep Cherokee beater at that time for that trip), but again I don't know what the roads are like now. Chalk Creek has a good road up to St. Elmo and I don't recall it being too bad from there up to Hancock and the east portal trail head. Again, the Element should handle that route assuming there hasn't been snow damage or the forest service hasn't kept the road up.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Same year as our "new" one. 2 wheel drive. Silver. FUN.

[@chrisstaylor8377]

Spend a lot of time in colorado big fan of South Park area ,Chris’s New Zealand

[@RailPreserver2K]

When I saw the engine was named the Klondike Kate I wondered is it a White Pass locomotive. The reason I say this is because two different railroads have some White Pass and Yukon locomotives in operation as well one is Dollywood and the other is the Tweetsie

[@ericnilson4900]

Ordered my shirt yesterday.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Cool!!!!

[@Sasuri]

*_"The thing about wood is that it burns."_* *Well I'll be.*

[@ToyManTelevision]

And paper. And weeds. And some rocks.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Small rocks.....

[@rebelbull14]

even some liquids and gasses. what a time to be alive.

[@DillonTrinhProductions]

what about cripple creek and victor's narrow gauge?

[@ToyManTelevision]

Cool place! We didn't get down there this trip, planing that next spring. 2 foot gauge. Go the the Royal George at the same time.

[@Brian_rock_railfan]

can you go to Rotary Snowplow Park at 123 Boreas Pass Rd, Breckenridge, CO also there is Breckenridge Locomotive No. 111 there go there same day soon ?

[@DRGW485]

Brian Castle ROCK RXR 9 - locomotive #111 is now operating at The Georgetown Loop Railroad and C&S #9 is now in the Park.

[@DRGW485]

Brian Castle ROCK RXR 9 - locomotive #111 is now operating at The Georgetown Loop Railroad and C&S #9 is now in the Park.

[@nathancorcoran5347]

I was thinking that maybe Colorado & southern # 71 will run on the railroad in como with engine # 4.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Would love to see that!! But Central City will never let it leave. Geeeez people. If you love something set it free!

[@whirlpool851]

Klondike Kate actually came from the Klondike Mines Railway in the Yukon Territory of Northern Canada.

[@paintertrainproductions2355]

Nice video! Never knew about this place until now. Looks really cool. Is the track going to be replaced in the original spots, or are they laying track where the original never went? Hope the question makes sense lol

[@timbain5235]

This question makes total sense. Our plan is to replicate the layout of the original yard as close as possible. There is a map of the plan on our website at www.southparkrail.com A few small changes will need to be made since the new road cuts right through the south end of the yard and we do not plan on rebuilding the north yard that was on the line to Boreas Pass north of the hotel. But we will try to keep everything around the roundhouse and towards the depot as true as possible to the original.

[@paintertrainproductions2355]

Tim Bain thanks for the info! Can't wait to see what is to come

[@TexasRailfan21-RailfanRyan]

There's only one C&S locomotive left Colorado & Southern Railroad 2-6-0 Mogul #9 for a short while it operated on the Georgetown Loop Railroad it's now on stag display in a town I do not know and of course you have Denver and South Park Pacific railroad #191 which is on display at the Colorado Railroad Museum

[@ToyManTelevision]

#9 is in Breckenridge I think. But there are 4 more. None run, but #9 may run again and 71 will run again! The other 2 are in Golden. Sure like to see #9, or #71 on this line.

[@DRGW485]

#9 is in Breckinridge and C&S #60 is in Idaho Springs which is also being seriously considered for restoration by a group there.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Love to see 60 back... A fixture in narrow gauge history.

[@TexasRailfan21-RailfanRyan]

DRGW485 is engine 60 a 2-8-0?

[@ToyManTelevision]

Yup Take a look at 1:30 in the show.

[@kupferbergbahn7952]

That railroad looks so cool! Will they run passenger trains? Also you could build replicas of to original engines, a narrow gauge railway here in Britain has done that. I want to see this railroad now, their going to do so well!!

[@ToyManTelevision]

YES! They have an open gon we didn't show. Plan is to take people from the hotel - depot to the roundhouse, through the yards and back to the hotel. IF they can pull it off, a few miles up the grade is a wye. And take people up the line miles to there. WOW.

[@cozephyr]

The good doctor and his wife Kathy have plans for more track. They own the ranch land where the original grade to Denver lays dormant. 2018 will be an interesting year for track building and possible water tank reconstruction.

[@ToyManTelevision]

Need to follow that!!!

[@Brian_rock_railfan]

where that #4 come from was Klondike in Canada

[@ToyManTelevision]

Yup. A mine up there. Bet is glad to get out of the cold. At lest where summers are longer than one afternoon...

[@cozephyr]

Klondike Mines Railway operated only for a few years in the Yukon Territory.

[@JamesWillmus]

My God, Como is back from the brink. Anyone remember when the whole town was almost gone?

[@cozephyr]

The store & liquor store next to the Como Depot are vacant and up for sale. Como only has a few year round residents. Thanks to Dave Tomkins for his herculean efforts in restoring the Como Depot. Dave operates the Como Hotel on a limited basis.

[@crystalrock18]

Do the folks out there have in mind of laying down track on the original main line at all? Or is that either plans for the future or not at all?

[@DRGW485]

crystalrock18 - Some track is technically being laid on the mainline in the yard area and there are hopes that something can be done in the future to run track to the east toward Denver but that will be after the yard is completed.

[@mikey117us]

For those interested you can follow ComoDepot ON Facebook, and DSP&P historical society, for fun I also follow the C&S historical society. 2017 closed out well in Como with a great PR gift from the former C&S Lyons sub now BNSF owned, of 240 ties and a donation of more switch ties for the 2018 expansion, including yard and facilities track to store cars and makeup trains for departure. Also in the works in 2018, rebuilding 1 of the two water tanks that served Como. ( east end as the west end tank wasn't in use anyway in the decade(s) prior to abandonment ) also the extension passed the Hotel to at least the Former Wye of the Kings mines Branch. ( this means inroads to Kenosha Pass via Jefferson with a ^ crossing the highway obstacle (s) and a realignment of the mainline to accommodate bridge(s) two legs of the original Kenosha wye are intact ) they have acquired through generous donations to these non profit organizations mentioned above, two former D&RGW narrow gauge cars, one flat for MOW work hauling rail and tie, and a high side gondola to be converted into an open air car. They are in negotiations for passenger cars. Of the three directions possible passed the Kings eye are really still to be decided. C&S always had a power crunch and that is the remains of the day. Klondike Kate a 1918 Baldwin industrial Locomotive and light in the tractive effort would be overwhelmed with the South Parks ROW. West to Garos junction and the Fairplay/ Alma Branch serving The London Mines is a 1.8-2.2% climb up Red Hill. Boreas Pass and Kenosha are up to 4% grade and helper territory. The only glimmer is the C&S historical society bid to restore #60 Rhode Island Locomotive works on display to operating condition. A plan approved by town council to be done offsite by donations with the idea of storing it on display in late fall winter, and it being a traveling operational exhibit in rail tourism months and earn its own living. So Georgetown Loop, Como, D&S C&TS. There are Even longer term plans for the years ahead and of course discussion. Ideally the C&S Cooke #9 having a new set of Cylinders Made and an extensive Boiler off Frame cylinder replacement done. C&S #9 seems to be on display out of shame rather than the original idea. A lot of money was spent on her for a very brief return to operations.

[@ToyManTelevision]

We are heading back up there as soon as the mud returns to land. What a great place. This time we are hunting old grades....

[@thatonetraindoge]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think C&S 9 is a former South Park 2-6-0

[@ToyManTelevision]

Not sure, but that would make sense.

[@rebelbull14]

one of these days I'm going to find a way to sneak in and put an 11 on the cab and EBT on the tender.

[@Chase_TRAINZ]

Go to Strasburg please!

[@ToyManTelevision]

We were planning to last fall. But stuff came up so we thought we would go this fall. Gee. Covid shot that down. 2021?

[@Chase_TRAINZ]

Toy Man Television ok thanks for responding

[@redbuzzardbass]

South Park Colorado, that sounds sort of familiar.

[@r.c.r.rproductions8462]

that jefforson depo is built by the same people who built the deforest depo

[@granskare]

if you are at elevation, drink a lot of water :) and this is Como, COLORADO :)

[@ToyManTelevision]

Usually I like a good cocktail. Or a beer. However, at 10,000 feet and above, water is like God food. As a kid I spent a summer on a ranch in the Tetons. Wow. But boy was I sick for the first 2 weeks.

[@cowboyvalley]

French for noun 1. (= public garden) parc

[@ezbrony9050]

I know we’re thay can find a nother steam train at Quaker square it’s a narrow gage tank engine Akron u will send it to the scrap yard

[@PlaneBoy2520]

Here’s the track plans for como this year! www.southparkrail.com/the-como-project

[@ToyManTelevision]

We need to get on back there!!!!!!! SOON!!!

[@PlaneBoy2520]

Toy Man Television take me with you! XD

[@bobross4449]

welp wasatch is in trouble turn out they were not riviting the boiler but using screws and making them look like they were rivited

[@ToyManTelevision]

That’s not just exactly what went wrong but yes they’ve been sued for over $700,000! I really hate to see that sort of thing.

[@ezbrony9050]

It needs a rebuild badly thay could use it for day out with thomas

[@ezbrony9050]

Akron Ohio