The San Juan Extension
Osier, Colorado
(This page is dedicated to my buddy Larry Gibson & his family)
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At an elevation of 9,600 feet and 15 miles (45 minutes) from the nearest state road (Hwy 17), Osier, CO is arguably the most lonely spot on today's Cumbres & Toltec. It was considerably more lonely when the Denver & Rio Grande built the town in 1880. Osier (located at MP 318.5) served the Grande from 1880 to 1968 with a depot, section house, coal dock, and water tank. In earlier times a covered turn-table was also located here. The only traffic originating in Osier was seasonal livestock shipments to Denver.
Today, Osier is featured on the C&T as the lunch stop. Chef Stephen Flowers and his crew provide a remarkably good meal to several hundred hungry passengers every day during the operating season. Lunch is served in a spacious and well appointed cafeteria located in the center of a 1,700 foot passing siding, across from the stock pens.
The coaling dock on the siding at the west end of the yard has recently been restored by the Friends of the C&T. The Depot, Section House, and stock pens have also been lovingly restored and cared for by the Friends.
At the east end of the yard is a "balloon loop" built by the C&T to turn trains and MOW equipment. Most of the time it sits idle, the only trains traversing it being special charters. Standard Operating Procedure is for the east and west bound trains to swap locomotives as the passengers enjoy lunch and the spectacular scenery. After lunch the passenger consists return to their point of origin and the locomotives and crews run through. This procedure keeps the engines and crews rotating across the entire line while keeping the passenger cars in their respective cities (Antonito and Chama).
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To correct or add additional info please contact me at: RioGrandeDude @ SmittysHouse.net (no spaces)
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Photos from October 2006 (Michele Rose) |
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Flats in MOW service stored on the west end of the balloon loop |
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Section House |
Depot |
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Coal Dock Siding *Note: this was taken before the Friends rebuilt the dock in 2007 |
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Photos from July 2008 (Jason Rose) |
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Me, the 315, and Goose 5 |
Dining Hall |
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Section House |
Note the new Coal Dock |
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Photos from May 2009 (Jason Rose) |
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MOW equipment and new Coal Dock |
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Section House |
Tank and Depot |
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Section House |
Depot |
Section House |
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Photos from October 2009 (Jason Rose) |
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Coal Dock |
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Depot |
Section House |
Tank |
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488 at west end of loop |
Extra 487 East traversing the loop |
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Now we're Extra 487 WEST |
Main to Antonito |
The lonely road out of Osier. It's a rough ride of 15 miles and 45 minutes to State Highway 17 |
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