The Newsletter of the Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway Foundation

Volume 22
No. 4
31 Dec 2013
The Newsletter of the Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway Foundation
dba Colorado Springs & Interurban Railway
HELP WANTED
Inside This Issue
Obituary
Help Wanted
Miscellaneous
Donations
Special Mention
Obituary
From Our President
An Open Letter to Staff
John’s History Corner
Restoration News
Membership Form
Howard Noble
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As always good volunteers are greatly appreciated. Currently we could
especially use individuals with the following skills:
Office Assistant
Two days per week
Should know how to use a PC with MS Word
Hours flexible, but regular
Museum Assistant
Two days per week
Arranging and labeling displays
Archiving historical records
MISCELLANEOUS
The Editor
The annual Christmas Diner at the Myron Stratton Home on December 1, went well with thirty-three attending. It
included a visit by Teddy Roosevelt. Actually Don Moon who does an excellent, rousing impersonation of one of
our most famous Presidents laced with numerous historical facts. T.R. was never boring and neither is Don. He’s
with Red Herring Productions and is retired from Colorado Springs Utilities.
Volunteers at the barn will notice the soda machine departed the area due to insufficient sales. We received no
income from those sales. Since the soda cans supplied the funding for coffee and cookies can donations are
encouraged less a catastrophic shortage of coffee and cookies occur.
DONATIONS
Jim McGuire recently drove up to our place and calmly asked if we wanted a bell. Answering yes the next thing
we knew it required a forklift to get several hundred pounds of bell out his pickup. Cast into the bell are the letters
“DM&IR”. It looks identical to the units mounted on Diluth, Missabe, & Iron Range Yellowstones. Mike confirmed
the bell came from Minnesota. Jim also donated several miscellaneous pieces of rail equipment.
SPECIAL MENTION
Eryn Taylor took over our web pages this past year and has done a yeoman’s job. A server crash recently
required his having to rework the site all over. Computers have their quirks. Eryn lives in the Castle Rock area so
we don’t see him down here very often, but we sure appreciate his efforts.
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Page 2
Published by the Pikes Peak
Historical
Street
Railway
Foundation Inc. of Colorado
Springs, a non-profit corporation
under section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
PPHSRF Board of Directors
President
David H. Lippincott
Vice President/Chief Operations
H. Howard Noble
Secretary/Restoration Shop Mgr
Greg Roberts
Treasurer
Don Gage
Historian
John Haney
General Board Members
Mitch Downs, CPA
George Rothwell
PPHSRF Museum & Offices
2333 Steel Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Phone: (719) 475-9508
Fax: (719) 475-2814
[email protected]
Web Address
www.coloradospringstrolleys.org
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 544
Colorado Springs, CO 80901-0544
Member of the
Association of Tourist Railroads
and
Railway Museums
Please submit suggestions and
articles to the editor.
Singing Wire Editor
G. Roberts
[email protected]
OBITUARY
Mike McKown became a regular at our place several years back. Always
cheerful, helpful, and just nice to have around on 25 October at our place
Mike suffered a massive stroke. Despite getting him to the hospital in about
twenty minutes the damage was too great. In a coma several days later in
the early morning hours he left us permanently. Everybody who knew him,
including his family of course, will miss him greatly. Mike belonged to one of
the least known military units, the Air Commandos. In Vietnam he rescued
downed pilots, Seal Teams, and other special ops teams. Often working
alone he went deep into enemy territory to set up the rescues. He held a
record for lives saved. He did it because at heart Mike was actually a gentle
person who cared for others. He loved history and managed our library at the
barn.
You’ll be missed until we meet again friend
FROM OUR PRESIDENT
David Lippincott
New Year's resolutions are appropriate for everyone, including foundations such as ours. My 2014 goals are (1)
secure property in the downtown area to commence operations on in preparation for putting tracks on the
streets, (2) secure new sources of funding our restoration efforts, and (3) increase our membership rolls - with
friends, financial backers and volunteers in all areas of our operations.
The state grant to the city of $120 million over a period of years would build a sports and events center and
Olympic museum in the downtown's southwest quadrant. We have every indication its proponents desire it to be
served by a streetcar system, for bringing additional visitors to the site, for remote parking, and to encourage
additional housing and retail development in the area. We can be a major contributor to those efforts. We can
construct our downtown system, using both our non-profit and Enterprise Zone status to raise from private
sources and foundations, and eschewing local, state and federal tax dollars. Based on our preliminary plans and
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estimated costs, which we will refine, we expect a system will cost a fraction of the amount indicated in the 2010
streetcar feasibility study as we will not be burdened by onerous federal regulations required of all grant
receipients (e.g. Davis-Bacon wages).
We own 16 vintage streetcars (1901-1949) that use rail and overhead lines and two electric trolley buses (1940),
which use overhead lines but no rail. All need work to put them into operating condition. We can construct a
horse-drawn streetcar, using rail but no overhead lines, like the ones used in the city from 1887 to 1890. No city
in the country now operates such a vehicle and we believe having one here would be a huge tourist draw.
Our plans include a specific plot of land downtown as a base, but we have not been able to get an agreement
with the owner as to its acqusition. As of now, we do not have a strong and committed advocate in the City's
administration who can assist us in the political and governmental arenas. We do not have sponsors for car
restoration who would commit to funding over a period of years, possibly for car naming rights. The downtown
streetcar task force ceased meeting when it learned Federal funding of a system would be virtually impossible to
obtain, drive costs higher, and require at least a 50% local match.
We have a relatively small base of members and volunteers. The major reason I believe is a "show me results
and I will jump on the bandwagon" attitude. Well, the chicken can't come before the egg and the egg cannot
come unless folks believe there will be a chicken. If you help us with the egg, we can virtually guarantee you
there will be a chicken! Visit us and discuss our plans and you will get a very good idea of what that chicken will
look like and will do for the City.
Happy New Year.
David Lippincott
[email protected]
AN OPEN LETTER TO STAFF
Howard Noble
Once again we’ve managed to come through another year with many twists and turns, many of which were
unexpected. All have been managed due to in no small way to our very excellent staff of volunteers. As always
there are not sufficient words to say thank to the way everybody has pulled together to meet the various
challenges. Not counting the loss of some very dear friends, this has been a very successful year.
Next year for 2014, we can already see a number of very interesting challenges. But I feel we are up to every one
of them and will meet them head on. To list a few we know that we have the six vehicles from Denver to bring
down. They will require placement, assessment, and perhaps even start work on them. Plans are underway for
redoing the shop space in the car house itself Of course the ongoing restoration of CSIR 135 and CSIR 59 are
now joined by work needed on Allegheny Port Authority 4002 and Los Angeles Railway 3101.
We also continue to work towards developing an operation on the streets of this fair city. As always there will be
things presenting themselves totally unknown at this time and we all know how that happens. I know that
whatever the challenges are we will deal with them as always. Once again thank you to each and every one of
you for your continuing positive attitude and flexibility to succeed in our mission..
JOHN’S HISTORY CORNER
By John A. Haney
For many years I’ve looked for information about a railroad wreck that happened around 1945. What appeared
in the Gazette on December 16, 2013, blew me away! Here was far more than I hoped for – no less than a
photograph plus caption. How exciting when my mother got me out of bed in my pajamas to go see it!
Probably also in tow were my two sisters, but not my father who was still in the South Pacific with the Navy. I
remember seeing a locomotive painted in Army livery, its tender, and a string of cars flopped over on their
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sides on the west embankment next to the elevated track just south of Uintah Street near Monument Valley
Park. No work to clean up the mess had begun. This was really neat to see! I don’t recall learning of any
injuries, only that the fireman had gone home to wash his face. The train derailed because of a bread truck too
tall to pass beneath the railroad underpass on Uintah. The impact caused by the truck smashing the roof of the
underpass moved the track causing the derailment. Uintah was only a two lane road in those days. Since
nobody had been hurt what a great thrill for a youngster like me to witness - yet another rail-related incident to
cement my fascination with railroads!
A look back COURTESY OF PIKES PEAK LIBRARY DISTRICT
MARGARETTA M. BOAS PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION, COURTESY OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS, 001-5587
A crane helps lift a toppled railroad engine back onto tracks while workers watch. A row of tails lays on the
ground in foreground. Note on back reads "Uintah and Pine St. Overpass 2/25/45 C&S Burlington. 18 cars off
the tracks."
RESTORATION NEWS
Los Angeles Railways No. 3101 Now “Under Wraps”
Contrary to some accusations Los Angles Railways No. 3101 has not been wrapped for the holiday season.
The roof finally started leaking to the point caulk no longer held back the onslaught of rain or melted snow. Built
in 1943, this car and its sisters, often called “war babies” helped transport people to the war production plants
in Los Angeles. Built during a time of material restrictions these cars used substitute materials. The original
passenger handrails inside were of made from plain black iron gas pipe rather than anything chrome plated or
even stainless steel as some of the pre-war LA PCC cars used. Rather than the friendly bright yellow of the car
you will now see a large blue cocoon. St. Louis Car Company built the roof using standard wood car roof
construction, wood ribs, slats, and canvas soaked with paint. Later the LA shops merely covered over the roof
with metal. It leaked at the seams and now the canvas and wood roof underneath needs replacement. Until
winter passes and funds can be raised for another roof No. 3101 will stay under wraps.
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Los Angeles Railways No. 3101 Before Being Wrapped
Denver Tramway Equipment
As previously stated this collection includes two original Denver street car bodies (No. 117 and 329), two
Electric Trolley Busses, and two 1959 Mack built busses. Despite any hard feeling against busses having
replaced our beloved street cars, these are historic vehicles in their own right. It means we will now have a
Motor Coach Division for those Individuals who get great joy working on equipment with Diesel power and
don’t mind getting their hands dirty. Extra hand cleaner will be stocked.
Woeber Built Center Entrance Car
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Woeber Built Center Entrance Denver Car
Woeber Carriage Works at West Colorado Avenue and Bannock in Denver built DTC No. 329 in 1910 and.
DTC No. 117 in 1911. The passengers entered through the center doors as opposed to entering the front or
rear of the car. Although Peter Witt often receives credit for this innovation Denver originated it even earlier
when they combined pairs of smaller cars together to create center entrance cars. Although No. 329 and No.
117 will require a lot of work to return them to full operational capability these historic rarities are well worth the
effort. Items recovered from No. 329 include a number of the original Hale & Kilburn seats, complete with
original heaters, and transit weave rattan cushions. The original bell and Rocky Mountain fender have also
been retrieved. The latter device protruding form the right end of the illustration above scooped up any hapless
pedestrian unlucky enough to fall in front of the oncoming car. At least everybody hoped it did!
The ETBs
Denver Tramways No. 519 at left awaits
transport from RTD’s facility along the Plate
River to Colorado Springs. The greatest
defects in this car are the underside of the
roof and seats due to some rambunctious
raccoons.
No. 519 is one of only two surviving Electric
Trolley Busses (ETB) to operate in the Rocky
Mountain Region. During World War II these
vehicles shared operation on Broadway with
the streetcars.
After arrival in the Springs the interior will be
cleaned, the roof covered as necessary, and
plans developed to make any other needed
repairs.
After through cleaning of the interior from the
aforementioned fur covered, four legged,
despoilers the car will be available for
inspection close up by members and the
public.
Since ETBs are new to our collection any
member interested in working on this car
please contact the Shop Manager.
Denver Tramways No. 519
Allegheny Port Authority No. 4002
A big thanks to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. They sent us a several hundred page bound volume of data
on the PCC series cars. Converted into interurban duty from earlier Pittsburgh 1700 series PCC cars in the late
1980s our 4002 still has the same equipment under the skin. In discussions with the Pennsylvania Museum no
two of the conversions “were wired the same” though. When it comes time to put this car back into service that
will just make it more interesting. Stephen Kuznetsov who donated the car emailed us he will be crating for
shipment windows for the front end.
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PIKES PEAK HISTORICAL STREET RAILWAY FOUNDATION
Renewal/donation form:
Name:
Phone: Home
Cell:
Business:
Address:
(please include itry, state & zip code)
Email address:
Please consider making a step up in your membership level
Membership Categories (please check one)
Individual
Family
Corporate
 Friend
$35.00
 Up to 5 members
$50.00
 Friend
$100.00
 Sponsor
$50.00
 Up to 7 members
$75.00
 Supporter
$250.00
 Patron
$75.00
 Unlimited number
$100.00
 Sponsor
$500.00 and up
 Benefactor $100.00 and up
Additional Donation: $
to be applied to (check one of the choices below)
 Car #59 matching fund
 Car #135 (former ft. Collins # 22)
 General Operating Fund
(Car #59 donations are leveraged when applied to Colorado State Historical Fund Grants)
Payment Methods:
1. Credit card #
Exp. Date:
 Mastercard
 Visa
 Discover
2. Check: Please make payable to PPHSRF
Sec Code #:
PPHSRF, P.O. Box 544, Colorado Springs, CO 80901-0544
If would like to become a volunteer please contact Dave Lippincott at 719-330-4746 or email him at
[email protected] for information about your area of interest, or have us contact you:
Best day/time to call: Phone: ( )
Email address:
Volunteer Areas Especially Needed: Office, Publicity, Membership Development, Computer expertise, and
Restoration expertise
Special Projects Needed for Museum Grounds:
East yard electrification
$2000
Added track in east yard
$2500
Please consider a donation to make these enhancements possible.
The Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt Colorado Corporation also
qualifying as an Enterprise Zone Business. Contributions of $500 or more, made through the Enterprise Zone,
may qualify for significantly larger Colorado State tax credit if your contribution meets their criteria.
Please call Don Gage at the Foundation office (719-475-9508) for more information.
Volume 22, Number 4
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Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway Foundation
PO Box 544
Colorado Springs, CO 80901-0544
Preserving elegance of another era for transportation today.