Colorado Springs, CO and the Rock Island Railroad Part 1 in Tales of the Jointed Track

This is an introduction, so the blog/journal is not so long..

The Rock Island was always a railroad that sparked my interest. Denver was the terminus. Colorado Springs as well, as a southern outpost. The Rock Island came into Denver proper, via the Union Pacific “KP” (Kansas Pacific) main. Limon, CO was where they accessed the KP Main.

RI crew change at Limon, CO

At Sandown Jct, near the old Denver Stapleton Airport, they took their tracks to Utah Jct, and into the Rio Grande (D&RGW) North Yard.

A RI freight easing into Sandown Jct on the Union Pacific KP main. They are coming under the runway underpass at the old Stapleton Airport. A United jet in the background taxing for take off. (Steve Patterson photo)

There was a small yard at Sandown, that was used to service industries in the area. At North yard, trains were yarded. The power was serviced at the Fuel tracks and turned as needed.

At Limon, CO the Rock Island crossed the Union Pacific mainline and began the branch line to Colorado Springs. This in the Rock Island System Timetable No.1, effective Sunday March18th, 1979 was designated as Des Moines Division Subdivision 8A. This branchline is 78.8 miles in length.

The listing of stations

Various Instructions / restrictions for the crews and route traversed

Calhan Depot

There are small towns on the line Simla, Calhan and Falcon, CO

Falcon depot, just north east of Colorado Springs

RI west of Falcon, front range in the background

North Academy Blvd about 6 miles from Roswell

Curve west of North Academy Blvd. This is a hiking trail now Pikes Peak in the background

Rock Island freight just out of Roswell

Although, I did not work for the Rock Island, I did interact from afar. Either passing them with a freight, or working with them, while making a pick up and or set-out at the East yard in the Springs.

We had two trainmen, that were off this portion of the Rock Island, and hired on the Santa Fe in the late ‘70’s. I was promoted and running at this time.

Last updated May 28, 2015