Colorado Live Steamers
While the Rocky Mountain Live Steamers Steam-Ups and Events were in their "Heydays" at the Black Forest track, several live steam Brothers active in the larger ground-riding scales & gauges had formed a new live steam Club in Denver, named the Colorado Live Steamers (CLS). This energetic organization was officially incorporated in 1969, but unfortunately were forced to move out of their first tracksite located in Downtown Denver. In 1971, the CLS was graciously invited by Byron Squires to use his Black Forest facility as their Club Tracksite, where the CLS Members gratefully laid a 7-1/2 inch gauge track. This accommodation lasted for very few enjoyable years until 1981, when tragically and sadly, the Grim Reaper took Byron Squires (age 82--). This concluded what little remained of any RMLS 3-1/2 inch and 4-3/4 inch gauge activities, as well as any CLS live steam activities at Black Forest, and not long after the tracks were removed, the Squires property was sold.
It took until 1983 for that "Original Phase" of the CLS to re-locate again, leasing some riverbank scenic acreage for use as a Club Tracksite. This was found on the property of the Denver Water Board (ex-fresh water filtration plant--) SW of Denver, at Kassler (aka: Waterton--), where the mouth of the South Platte River exits its river canyon in the foothills. There, they built another Phase of the CLS, with the construction of a new Club Track providing for three track gauges, and having very nice facilities. Alas, that CLS facility too, is now long-gone! But these stories are aside from the topic of the "Rocky Mountain Live Steamers" told above. Perhaps some willing present Member of the "Colorado Live Steamers/Bijou Creek & Western RR", with a better knowledge of that Club's History can be persuaded to tell the "Tales" of the CLS?
The above Article was compiled by: Kenneth E. Scheer, Delta, CO, 16 November 2015.
External Links
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