Coke Ovens at Redstone

We traveled to Redstone, Colorado for a look see after reading reports the coke ovens are being restored and/or having their decay arrested. 

In their day these coke ovens were used to take coal from the nearby mines and convert it to coke by burning in a low air oven. The resulting product was then shipped by narrow gauge railroad to the steel mills in Pueblo for use in steel making.

Crushed coal was poured into the ovens through a hole in the top and then ignited. The door was then bricked up with just a small hole for air. 48 hours later the door was opened and the coke was raked out and loaded into rail cars for transport.

The nearby town of Redstone was created for the workers who made their livelihood working these ovens. There were as many as 200 in use.

The process left a glaze on the inside of the oven

The historical group is doing a nice job of preserving history

Box Canyon in Ouray Colorado

Ouray, Colorado has a fabulous geological feature in which a massive waterfall flows through a cave like recess in the rocks above the town. There are steel walkways that take you into the recess and walkways that take you down to river level. It is pretty spectacular!

The entry includes the ticket seller and a good explanation of the features of the park including birds, rock types, fauna and a selection of books for sale.

Well worth the money

Interpretive signs along the walkway explain the features

Emery, Bennett, Betsy and Blake 

Watch your head!

Up close and personal with the falls

There is a bridge above the falls that is part of the hiking trail above the town

The bridge gives access to unique geological structure

The bridge leads to a walk through a tunnel

View down from the bridge

Blake and the bridge

Rivers Edge Motel

We spent some time in Ouray, Colorado and stayed at the Rivers Edge Motel. It has reasonable rates, great views and hot tubs. 

A combination of snow melt and rainfall has the river running high

Colorado Railroad Museum

One of the largest collections of narrow gauge railroad equipment can be found at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden Colorado.

Bob Richardson began purchasing railroad equipment in the 40's and 50's when the railroads were closing their narrow gauge operations. He was joined by other like minded individuals and together they have preserved a tremendous amount of railroad history.

Julie and Betsy enjoying the model railroad in the basement of the museum headquarters

The fire scene was a highlight of the model

Folks swimming below the trestle

Posing in font of the steam engine

First engine you see when entering the grounds

Emery posing

Bennett on the caboose

Sitting in the cupola of the caboose

Emery wondering how he'll get up to the cupola

Julie and John

Lots of history to explore

Betsy on the work goose #6

The rail car in the background was one of the "Galloping Goose" from the Rio Grande Southern RR

Bennett exploring a high side gondola

Checking out a motor car

The grounds include a large garden railroad

Steam engine maintenance and restoration is performed in the roundhouse 

Grandsons and #318