[RITSlist] Depots in Eastern Colorado/Western Kansas

[Jim Welch]

Things change quickly, so not all of these facts are guaranteed.  The 
last time I went through at Thanksgiving, Jennings, KS between 
Phillipsburg and Colby was still standing and served as a storage 
facility for Kyle RR.  Also Bethune depot was moved to Burlington, CO as 
a historic structure in their Museum complex I believe is called "Old 
Town"  (my quick attempt to find info on line did not yield much.)  I 
cannot tell you much about the hours of the "Old Town" complex either. 
Perhaps a phone call to one of the town's motels would get you more 
info?  While the Bethune station was well conserved inside and out it is 
not in its original context without tracks and equipment nearby.  Still 
It is the one depot to see besides Limon, since both of these are open 
to the public.  The Burlington depot sits on its original site (although 
I am not sure if it is the original building from 1888) at least it did 
the last time I was there about 10 years ago.  The Stratton depot is not 
in its original location and was the last time I saw it painted a 
hideous red and white, used as a private residence? sitting just off the 
I-70 exit it should be hard to miss.  It has had modifications or 
additions to it as well.  There is not much to these Eastern Colorado 
towns and a quick drive of 5-10 minutes get you the whole tour.  Finally 
the best of the bunch is the Limon depot.  Used by the RI until 1980 and 
later by the Cadilac & Lake City for operations, it was like the 
Goodland depot used most recently for RR operations.  Since 1988 or so 
when the C&LC went belly up, it was donated to the City of Limon and a 
non-profit organization was formed to preserve it.  The group is now 
known as the Limon Heritage Society, and has major restoration plans for 
the building in the next year.  Call ahead for off season  hours - 
719-775-8605.  Limon is in its original location with two railroads 
operating nearby.  (UP & Kyle on ex RI track)  If you are going all that 
way make sure you stop by Colorado Springs to see the old joint depot, 
now an Italian restaurant "Guisipi's"  and the Roswell buildings are a 
museum now as well although hard to find, they are worth the visit.  
feel free to write for more info.

Jim Welch (whose mother-in-law lives in Limon and also is a member of 
the Limon Heritage Society)

Eric Miller wrote:
> Greetings,
>
> I am planning a little road trip with a friend to
> check out the old Rocky Mountain Rocket line from
> Limon to Phillipsburg in a couple months.  In
> particular, we are going to stop and photograph all
> the depots still in existence.
>
> Could anyone verify that these towns still have depots
> to see?
>
> Phillipsburg, KS
> Colby, KS (?)
> Goodland, KS
> Burlington, CO
> Bethune, CO
> Stratton, CO (?)
> Limon, CO
>
> Also, anyone know of any depots on this line that I
> have missed?  Any information is greatly appreciated!
>
> Thanks for your help!
>
> Regards,
> Eric
>
>
>
>       ____________________________________________________________________________________
> Be a better friend, newshound, and 
> know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.  Try it now.  http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
>
>
>   



-- 
BEGIN-ANTISPAM-VOTING-LINKS
------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: This message was trained as non-spam.  If this is wrong,
please correct the training as soon as possible.

Teach CanIt if this mail (ID 22559550) is spam:
Spam:        https://storm.simpson.edu/canit/b.php?i=22559550&m=fa4b846748d8&c=s
Not spam:    https://storm.simpson.edu/canit/b.php?i=22559550&m=fa4b846748d8&c=n
Forget vote: https://storm.simpson.edu/canit/b.php?i=22559550&m=fa4b846748d8&c=f
------------------------------------------------------
END-ANTISPAM-VOTING-LINKS