Story and photograph by James Burke

In keeping with many towns of  the American West, Ridgway was built by a railroad—The Rio Grande Southern—and at the expense of a then existing town—Dallas. After Rio Grande rails were laid to Ouray in 1887 Dallas grew by the tracks as the point of departure for teamsters to remote but roaring Telluride and Rico. Dallas was located logically at the confluence of The Uncompaghre River and Dallas Creek. The waters of Dallas Creek tumbled down from Dallas Divide.

—The gateway to the silver and gold of The San Miguel. Otto Mears-the legendary Pathfinder of The San Juans had operated a toll road over the divide for ten years when in 1889 he decided his patrons should ride rails.

—And so The Rio Grande Southern Railroad was born. Unlike a toll road a railroad needs land for its terminal and the landowners of Dallas made the classic mistake of the age.

—They jacked up their prices with eyes upon getting rich quick.

Otto Mears may have been a funny Russian immigrant but he hadn’t just fallen off the vodka boat. Within weeks he owned the land where Ridgway stands.

—Land whose acceptability as an alternative location should have been obvious in earlier Dallas. Now Ridgway stands with roots in The Rio Grande Southern while long ago Dallas dried up and died beside the rails.

R.M. Ridgway was Mears' Superintendent of Operations and for more than sixty years his town stood at the Head of one of the world’s most incredible railroads—and probably the most modeled of them all today.

Fortunately a precious few outstanding photographers—such as Jackson and Perry—recorded "The Southern’s" passings.

Unfortunately—At the time of the Rio Grande Southern’s death the country was all caught up in the likes of Edsels and Elvis Presley and a new toy called TeeVee.

Preservation of yesterday’s land mark engineering achievements was not on the rather abbreviated agenda.

Much that might have been saved was lost.

(And not only of The Rio Grande Southern)

But remnants are out there—Scattered to the winds and a small group of dedicated souls is determined that they will not be lost but can come back home.

Churchill said: Never have so few done so much for so many.

The Ridgway Railroad Museum now opens its doors to a grand collection of artifacts and memorabilia not only of Ridgway’s own Rio Grande Southern but of all the associated railroads of Ouray County. Displays range from documents through  photos and videos to models and replicas and restored equipment.

Stand beside "Mother Goose Motor One"

—The Galloping Goose that saved The Southern from the depression June 2 and 3 marks the Picnic in The Trainyard and Old Timer’s Days. This annual event has become a "must" for rail fans. This event takes place at museum president Gregory Posta’s outstanding 1:20.3 scale outdoor model layout. Built with a Rio Grande Southern theme it has been featured in several national magazines. The event lasts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes a barbecue lunch. Sunday's Oldtimer’s Reunion will mix railroaders’ music and memories. Follow the signs up County Road 5—Admission $7 (children $4)

Special museum events this year include the annual Picnic in the Trainyard June 4 and 5, and the Ouray County Railroad Days, September 15-18.

Come to the Museum on US 550 at Jct. Colorado 62. The museum is open daily in the summer and Saturdays in the winter. Info.: call 626-5438,626-4239,and 626-4373. ridgwayrailroadmuseum.org.

James Burke, railroad historian and photographer is the associate publisher of the "San Juan Silver Stage." His railroad photographs and writings have appeared in a variety of publications throughout the United States.

Captions:
Galloping Goose awaits repairs and resurrection at Ridgway Railroad Museum., 2008.