Boreas Pass Railroad Day 2026 Recap and Photos!!

Boreas Pass Railroad Day has become symbolic as a day to offer to the general public an opportunity to showcase our efforts establishing an operating historical interpretive heritage site for future generations to experience the railroad history of Park County, Colorado.

Our volunteers once again achieved an excellent day of providing education, explanation, demontration as well as purveying general FUN!

Our day began early with Volunteer Coordinator Paul Blanchard gathering all Volunteers and reviewing final set-up, preparedness for our big day welcoming and providing visitors an enjoyable and rewarding day visiting the Como Heritage Site which included all important safety procedures.

Our first visitors were welcomed by Tim Clay and Noah Beachamp at the Handcar Ride Site.

Volunteer Hosts, Mike Antolin and Amanda Berreth were busy escorting and conducting tours.

Volunteer Coordinator Paul Blanchard provided visitors a demonstration of the turntable and history of boxcar #608.

Chief Mechanical Officer Dan Silbaugh with Volunteer engine crew members provided a viewing platform of Locomotive #4 "Kate" to explain the mechanical progress of restoration.

Operating Manager and Locomotive Engineer Sam Kunugi cleaning the Plymouth Locomotive and Conductors Mike Shatterly and Jacoby Van Winkle assisting visitors, the first train rides since 2020. Ticket agent Steve Thompson at the depot with Connie & Bob Schoppe, Steve Schweighofer and Ruth & Rich Heckman.

Volunteer Host Mark Arbucci was very busy at the Roundhouse Visitor entrance welcoming visitors and providing informational history off the Como Roundhouse History Display wall including the new Bill Kazel recognition poster. Mark held out all day providing visitor welcome and history information.

The engine crew including Volunteer David Winner, Tim Clay, Bob Peterson and Paul Marriza were very busy explaining the Locomotive restoration and train display with cars #4319 and #8311 lined up as a freight train.

"COBS Picnic Grove" was very popular with visitors and busy.

The Merchandise Store was extremely busy with visitors and the Visitor entrance and entire Heritage Site was under the watchful eye of proper security by Park County Deputy Amanda Orcutt.

Leslie Cole, our Volunteer Work Day lunch cook and Como Neighbor paid a visit to the speeder ride cashier Volunteer Jeannie Lawson. Chris also assisted the Brantigan's upon arrival setting up their canopy tent for Chuck to relax. John Stephens, along with, unfortunately no photos of Dale Shallenberger and Andrew Zimmerman were front gate welcome and traffic Marshals.

Volunteers enjoyed lunch together, Dan Silbaugh, Chris Tome, Jimmy Scoville, Rob Van Winkle, Doug and Kathy Junda, Noel Beachamp, Mike Antolin, Scott Herbert and Cook Joey Knous, special thanks to Joey!

As the concert was ready to begin the Celtic Colorado Pipe and Drum members came out to tune up their bagpipes. Before the concert began a special presentation recognition plaque was presented by South Park Rail Society President Doug Junda, Denver, South Park & Pacific Historical Society President Bob Schoppe and representing the Como Civic Association Andrew Zimmerman to Kathy and Dr. Chuck Brantigan for their devotion continuing the effort of saving of the historic Como Roundhouse, their efforts organizing the South Park Rail Society and providing help to the transfer the ownership to the non-profit South Park Rail Society.

The concert audience was very appreciative of the honor bestowed to the Brantigan's with a very loud applause. Honored guests at the concert were Rosa and Lindsey Ashby, founders of the Georgetown Loop Railroad.

The concert continued under the direction of Host Becky Wilkins with the Celtic Colorado Pipes & Drums marched in with I believe "Scotland the Brave".

A full Roundhouse concert venue of appreciative visitors enjoying "Americana Music"!

Merchandise Manager Nancy Santagata with Volunteer/ SPRS Board Member Tina Bogani and Lauren Revis Herbert had an outstanding day of Merchandise Sales. Archive Manager Catherine Woodham had a very busy day with her collection of archives.

Jonah Gambone had his art collection on display and for sale with a young admirer looking on. Meantime official SPRS business continued with Volunteer Surveyor Gus Chambers reviewing new adjacent survey points with Doug Junda and Road Master Alex Hois we learned the west fence line is not on our property line and that we gained about 20 more feet strip of land!

The passenger train continued operating, was very popular bringing back train rides with conductor Mike Satterly operating backward movement safely.

Our food / beverage vendor Highside brewery had a busy day and comments from visitors the food and beer was very good. Visitors were very impressed with the progress of construction of the water tank, topped with traditional Christmas Tree.

An overview photoof the Como Heritage Site from John Stephens including a portion of the parking lot. Special recognition to the "unseen hard working parking crew", Rob Van Winkle, Paul Greguoli, Ian & Justin Evans, Takoda, Wyatt & Aaron Myers, not only did they accommodate visitors cars but they dismantled parking signs / markers the end of day!

End of the day, Operations Manager Sam Kunugi invited all BPRS Volunteers for a last ride. Of note: Sam with the help of Mattie Garnhart have upgraded the Plymouth Locomotive with train line brakes an important safety feature of train operation with new controller in view with Sam's left hand.

Last ride to Como Roundhouse, Volunteers; Tim Clay, Paul, Blanchard, SPRS Member/ Supporter Barbara Melby, Seigfried Barthel's parents, conductor Jacoby Van Winkle, Seigfried Barthel, Brain Deleplaine, ?, Mike Antolin, ?, Noah Beauchamp, Jimmy Scoville, Bob Peterson, Rob Van Winkle, Alex Hois, Paul Marizza and Dan Silbaugh.

Engineer Sam Kunugi with his train of Volunteers!

It was a very long and very successful Boreas Pass Railroad Day 2026, and everything was picked up stowed away including cars by end of day with Jeannie Lawson, Mike Antolin finally relaxing and neighbor Conner Hurst joining in.

Fun Photo from Joey Knost

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!