In 1860, thousands journeyed to the Colorado Territory, beckoned by reports of gold discoveries in the mountains west of Denver. In the early 1870s, W.A.H. Loveland built a railroad connecting Denver to the Clear Creek Mining District-the Colorado Central Railroad. Over the next 28 years, other lines were established, bought, sold, extended, and merged to service the mining towns of Black Hawk, Central City, Idaho Springs, and Silver Plume. In 1898, the Union Pacific, Denver & Gulf, and the Denver Leadville & Gunnison were combined to form the Colorado & Southern Railway. After more than 40 years of dedication to the Clear Creek District, the railroad was scrapped in 1941. However, tourism would revitalize the area, and in the years to come a group of enthusiasts began to rebuild a portion of the old right of way. Toady, the spirit of the C&S is alive again, and rail fans can make the same journey over "The Loop" that thrilled tourists a century ago.

In 1860, thousands journeyed to the Colorado Territory, beckoned by reports of gold discoveries in the mountains west of Denver. In the early 1870s, W.A.H. Loveland built a railroad connecting Denver to the Clear Creek Mining District-the Colorado Central Railroad. Over the next 28 years, other lines were established, bought, sold, extended, and merged to service the mining towns of Black Hawk, Central City, Idaho Springs, and Silver Plume. In 1898, the Union Pacific, Denver & Gulf, and the Denver Leadville & Gunnison were combined to form the Colorado & Southern Railway. After more than 40 years of dedication to the Clear Creek District, the railroad was scrapped in 1941. However, tourism would revitalize the area, and in the years to come a group of enthusiasts began to rebuild a portion of the old right of way. Toady, the spirit of the C&S is alive again, and rail fans can make the same journey over "The Loop" that thrilled tourists a century ago.

As America, carried along by the expanding rail system, moved westward in the nineteenth century, few occupations seemed more exciting or romantic than that of railroad engineer. And in the mountains and plains of the West, long hours, backbreaking labor, bitter temperatures, and faulty brakes were the crucible in which the best of the early railroaders were formed: only the most dedicated and skilled men passed the tests the narrow-gauge lines of Colorado meted out. Goin' Railroading is the story of two generations of such men, four members of the Speas family who, from the open cabs of narrow-gauge steam engines, watched Colorado grow. Sam Speas tells the story of his father, Sam Speas Sr., who left Missouri in 1883 to become an engineer in Colorado, and recounts his own experiences and those of his brothers and fellow railroaders on the Colorado and Southern Railway, from the golden era of the narrow-gauge lines in South Park to the final days of steam power on the Front Range and the coming of the diesel engine. His stories are a profound document of a vanished way of life, a testament to the courage and tenacity of the early citizens of Colorado, and a tribute to the rough-hewn, often gallant men who took the trains through incredible, almost unbelievable, hazards. Funny, tragic, bittersweet, and poignant, Goin' Railroading is a remarkable book that brings a portion of the history and people of an earlier Colorado to vibrant life.

This 432-page 8½ x 11" hardbound tells of the numerous lifetime railroad adventures of Robert W. Richardson, noted author, photographer and historian. Bob, a railfan’s railfan, originally released the book in 1995 under the Sundance Publications label, and it sold out. This new, limited second edition features 425 color and black and white photographs and covers Bob’s favorite locomotives; his travels in the Northeastern and New England states, Canada, Texas and Oklahoma, Old Border states and the Midwest, Southern states, Mexico and Central America, Persian Gulf countries, Colorado and New Mexico; the vanishing interurban; the San Juan; railroading in the snow; the Poncha, Cumbres and Marshall passes; the Gunnison area; Ouray; the Black Canyon; Durango; Silverton; Cerro Summit; Crested Butte; the Baldwin Branch; the San Luis Valley Line; the Colorado & Southern, Rio Grande Southern and much more. The book features 22 chapters and covers such railroads and subjects as the Ohio River & Western, the crookedest railroad in the world; the Aliquippa & Southern; the East Broad Top; Tionesta Valley Railway; Edaville; the Tweetsie; woodburners in the woods; Live Oak, Perry & Gulf; the D&RGW and Rio Grande Southern narrow gauge; and the RGS geese, among many other subjects. Possessing a fascination with trains and railroading as far back as 1931, Bob’s interest quickly developed into a lifelong career of chasing, riding and photographing trains. His train riding has led to many adventures few railfans have experienced. Bob, with his journalistic penchant, tells a great story, weaving together facts and figures of how it used to be on the railroads. He became editor of the Linn’s Weekly Stamp News, was an advertising coordinator, served in the U.S. Army, owned the famous Narrow Gauge Motel in Alamosa and began publishing the Narrow Gauge News.

This is a comprehensive, illustrated account of the growth and decline of American narrow gauge railroading. It documents a long-gone era, bringing to life ancient steam locomotives, railroads and rolling stock that have mostly disappeared without trace. The basic facts and information on the subject are heavily illustrated with photographs, drawings and maps, presented in an encyclopedia format.

Take a nostalgic 100 year Journey through the Rocky Mountains aboard the narrow gauge railways that snaked through them.