Aspie1 wrote:
Railroads and trains have been my obsession for the past four years. I know their histories, where the tracks run, which company owns the tracks, when the tracks were laid, and the various corporate mergers among major railroads. This obsession (I mean fascination) is now on the way out, since I pretty much exhausted all I wanted to know about. I still have a train calendar, though.
We probably have one railroad interest in common. Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific! Eastern Terminus in Chicago, Western terminus in Colorado Springs, CO.
First tracks laid in 1852, tracks entered Colorado Springs in 1888. During the same period (1886), the Colorado Midland laid tracks WEST of Colorado Springs to Newcastle, where the pacific connection was made. Until it's death in 1921, the Midland ferried intercontinental traffic onto Rock Island.
Died in 1980. After 5 years of indifferent maintenance, Trains coming into Colorado Springs where limited to 10 mph, as the rails were both light-duty for the tonnage, and were dangerously undermaintained.
In Colorado Springs, the city was smart enough to option the track. From where the rock joined the UP/BNSF "joint line" to the Eastern edge of town, the rails remain, although most major roads have paved over them. The city hopes to create a trolley/light rail system using the right of way. Currently a very nice bikeway parallels the track, and is one of my favorite rides.
East of town, the rails-to trails program created a neat trail that uses the old right of way and bridges. Also a neat ride.
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I am indeed a "proud aspie".
There are 10 kinds of people in the world- Those that understand binary, and those who don't.