Boreas Pass RailRoad Day 2025
Volunteer set-up began Thursday August 14th with road traffic control markings for parking lot access at the Como heritage site and outline parking spaces in the pasture.
Friday August 15th volunteers began reorganizing the Roundhouse and setting up. Doug Junda with his tractor and Paul Blanchard relocating used materials. Doug and tractor assisting Norm Acker, Joey Knous, Jimmy Ortega & Clark Stemke relocating and storing locomotive parts. Tom Gillen arrived with his monster over the road vehicle and pulled cars out of the Roundhouse and relocated for display, with the help of Sam Kunugi, Norm Acker, Paul Blanchard while Jimmy Scoville & Clark Stemke removed material. Chris Tome arrived with his Bobcat and with the help of Sam Kunugi, Luke Miller, Norm Acker, Dan Silbaugh, & Jimmy Scoville relocated Locomotive #4 “Kate”.
The inside of Roundhouse was totally reorganized for the concert with stage car relocated inside with bunting and sponsorship banner installed, David Winner, Paul Greguoli, Mike Antolin, Clark Stremke, Joey Knous & Chris Tome preparing the Roundhouse for the Concert.
Saturday August 16, 2025 “Show Time”! Volunteer Coordinator Paul Blanchard lead safety and work coordination briefing. This is something he has implemented beginning each workday for safe and productive volunteer work sessions where every volunteer has an opportunity to participate. Paul briefing volunteers with Sam Kunugi, Matty, Norm Acker, Luke Miller, Mike Antolin, Bob Peterson, Joey Knous, Rob Van winkle, Chip Sherman & Alex Hois.
As visitors began arriving volunteer hosts were prepared early at the front entrance to provide the history of Como with volunteer host Mark Arbucci providing historical information at entrance displays.
Volunteer Dan Silbaugh gave visitors a presentation of the restoration of Locomotive #4 “Kate” and a display of the new machine shop that supports this restoration effort. Volunteer Coordinator Paul Blanchard provided visitors a demonstration of the operating turntable and history of original DSP&PRR car #608.
All ages of visitors, possibly new volunteers, were very impressed with this operating demonstration.
The Speeder ride was very popular with visitors (volunteer cashier Jeannie Lawson with Kaia and volunteer operator Scott Herbert). Likewise, the handcar ride was very popular, with volunteer cashier Michele Miller and volunteer operator Chris Tome.
Locomotive #4 “Kate” located on track #9 provided visitors an opportunity to observe up close the restoration progress by the volunteer Engine Crew, volunteer Paul Marizza pictured. Interesting in this photo C&S boxcar #8311 and C&S gondola #4319 were coupled together!
Volunteer Paul Blanchard provided several more demonstrations of the operating turntable and history of DSP&P boxcar #608 for many visitors.
In spite of overcast cool weather and threating weather visitors continued to arrive. The dedicated handicapped parking lot became almost full, with Dale Shallenberger welcoming and directed traffic.
The dedicated picnic grove was again very popular with visitors adjacent to Highside Brewery.
Volunteer Kathleen Woodham hosted many visitors with the help of her son Jacob Sharpton at the artifact car. The Model “A” Club from Denver arrived with four very nicely restored autos to display providing an extra historical touch.
The merchandise Store was busy! Volunteers Tina Bogani, April Myers and Merchandise Store Manager Lauren Revis-Hebert managed the store. Volunteers with period outfits, Mark Arbucci, Lauren Hebert, friend of Tina’s, Siegfrield Barthel and a visitor!
The “unsung heroes”, the important behind the scenes parking lot and traffic volunteers! Parking and traffic volunteers, Tony Gambone, River Manuelito, Takoda Myers & Jimmy Ortega, not captured in photos who dedicated time at parking and traffic: Dale Denigan, Jon Diersheide, Jacoby & Rob Van Winkle, Lynda Clay, Dale Shallenberger, Scott Bollinger & Mike Bottlemy.
Volunteer speeder operator Brian Delaplane brought visitors to the Depot where volunteer host Bob Schoppe, not in photos Steve Schweighofer and Steve Thompson provided history information.
Lunch was served by volunteer Chef Joey Knous! Dale Denigan brought his side by side and transported visitors from and to the parking lot.
The concert began in the SRO Roundhouse, an excellent music venue, with the anticipated rain finally arriving as everyone was inside and dry for a thrilling concert presented by the Denver Brass & the Celtic Colorado Pipes & Drums who tuned up outside under the volunteer lunch tent.
Volunteer Grand Host and Denver Brass Artistic Director Kathy Brantigan presented and narrated an absolutely outstanding concert performance of American Music woven into the theme of settlers arriving by train to Como to seek new lives for their families, very moving performance.
An opportunity to bring a brass concert with Highland Bags & Pipes together is unique anywhere, but to bring this level of concert to beautiful South Park in Park County is absolutely remarkable! The visiting audience was treated to a very memorable performance!
Immediately following the concert, the rain was gone and sunshine (“Colorado weather”) for our visitors to depart dry. As visitors departed volunteers immediately converted the wonderful concert venue back to working railroad Roundhouse ready for the next volunteer work day.
After four long days of organization, set-up and delivering another outstanding Railroad Day historical educational event for the general public, volunteers kicked back, relaxed and shared another happy successful experience together!
38 volunteers signed in and unselfishly devoted their time to make this important open house happen and available to the general public to appreciate mountain railroad history and a memorable event.
Not pictured in any photos but present and participated; Chuck Brantigan, Scott Bollinger, Jeff Borchelt, Mike Bottlemy, Lynda Clay, Jonathan Comyn, Kevin Cook, Jon Diersheide, Jonah Gambone, Paul Greguoli, Patrick Hardin, Cathy Junda EMT, James Mackay, Jim McBee, Sargent Amanda Orcutt, Albrecht “Rudi” Rundolph, Dale Shallenberger, Steve Schweighofer, Steve Thompson, Jacoby & Rob Van Winkle, Tyler Whittaker & David Winner.