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Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center

photo courtesy of the City of Colorado Springs

Discover the Majesty

of America’s Mountain Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain creates a stunning silhouette for group-friendly Colorado Springs. Located on Interstate 25 just one hour south of Denver, this city offers unique experiences that create special memories for your clients. With so much to see and do, be sure to book several nights in the region. RE-DISCOVER AN ICON Running from the mountain town of Manitou Springs to the 14,115’ summit of Pikes Peak, The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway has reopened with new and refurbished Swiss cog rail cars, 19 miles of newly constructed track and a re-imagined depot. It’s the same breathtaking experience made even better. The Cog, recognized as one of the world’s highest, has been climbing Pikes Peak since 1891. The journey to the top of Pikes Peak is full of showstopping moments. You never forget your first glimpse of the summit. On the trip, you’ll

The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway

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see pristine reservoirs nestled among the peaks of the front range. Many of the trees in this area are Bristlecone pine, some of the oldest living things on Earth. You may even spot a cute marmot climbing among the rocks near the tracks. DISCOVER NEW HEIGHTS Visit the spectacular brandnew Summit Visitor Center. After disembarking the Cog Railway, explore the summit like never before. At this National Historic Landmark, the new indoor and outdoor interpretive exhibits educate visitors about the mountain’s history, climate, geography, recreational opportunities and conservation initiatives. The exhibit gallery inside the Summit Visitor Center includes interactive digital features that bring the mountain to life. Outside, interpretive rails around the summit describe the environment and the views, identify key landscape features and take visitors out over the edge on the observation platform.

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum is one of the most accessible museums in the world. Race against a track star, ask questions of Team USA athletes and see how the Games have shaped and reflected our culture.

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Preview

By Stephen Kirchner, Editor & Publisher

elcome to Byways’ annual Great American Railroads issue. Each year heritage railroads in North America are featured. Experience an old-fashioned railroading experience on the Conway Scenic Railroad. This New Hampshire railroad operates on two historic railway routes: a line from North Conway to Conway that was formerly part of the Conway Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad; and a line from North Conway through Crawford Notch to Fabyan that was once part of the Mountain Division of the Maine Central Railroad. Trains depart from the line’s iconic Russian Revival style station built in 1874. Next, climb limb aboard and hear the whistle blow on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in northern Ohio. The railroad runs through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, 33,000 acres of land that is part of the National Park System. There is no other national park in the country with a non-profit heritage railroad operating within it and providing educational and entertainment programs to enhance the accessibility of the park for tens of thousands of people each year. In Michigan, Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad is an authentic Great Lakes town from the turn of the last century, with over 34 historic structures and a thriving community to welcome you. Ride the Huckleberry Railroad, catch a show at the Colwell Opera House or learn a trade from one of the craftspeople. It’s a place out of history where you can make a little history of your own. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad, located deep in the heart of Texas, operates in Historic Downtown Byways 4

Grapevine. It offers a unique experience on authentic 1920s Victorian coaches. The railroad offers excursions and special events that run from the Main Street station in Grapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyards. The railroad is unique in that it is owned and operated by the City of Grapevine. The Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad offers a relaxing and scenic Rocky Mountain experience. This two-and-a-half-hour train ride takes passengers up 1,000 feet from Leadville and through the untamed wilderness of the San Isabel National Forest for breathtaking views of Fremont Pass, Mt. Elbert, Mt. Massive, and the Arkansas River Valley. The Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad travels north along the Arkansas River Valley, and it raises up 1,000 feet off the valley floor so that you will have some spectacular views of Freemont Pass and the two tallest peaks in Colorado, Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert. The Niles Canyon Railroad passes through Niles Canyon between the towns of Sunol and Fremont, north of San Jose, California. The line through Niles Canyon to San Francisco was the final segment of the First Transcontinental Railroad and was completed in 1870, providing the first rail connection between the San Francisco Bay area and the rest of the United States. The railroad, owned by the The Pacific Locomotive Association has 9 steam engines and 13 diesel locomotives, and over 40 pieces of rolling stock. In his column, Bill Graves takes us to Delia’s Tamales in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. And in What’s Happening, we learn about gold mining in Arizona. We hope you enjoy this issue of Byways.

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Volume 39, Issue No. 1 2022 On the Cover. The Frankenstein Trestle at Crawford Notch on the Conway Scenic Railroad in the White Mountains of New Hamshire. Photo courtesy Evan Leith on Unsplash. For more on Great American Railroads, turn to to page 8.

Features New Hampshire’s Conway Scenic Railroad .......................................................................................... 8 Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad ............................................................................................ 14 Michigan’s Huckleberry Railroad ......................................................................................................... 20 Texas’ Grapevine Vintage Railroad ..................................................................................................... 28 Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad ............................................................................................ 34 California’s Niles Canyon Railroad ...................................................................................................... 40

Departments Byways Instant Connect ........................................................................................................................ 3 Byways Preview .................................................................................................................................... 4 Traveling the Highways & Byways with Bill Graves............................................................................. 26 Advertiser/Sponsored Content Index .................................................................................................. 49

What’s Happening Cave Creek Museum introduces the Arizona Gold Mining Experience ............................................... 46

Coming in Future Issues Future issues of Byways will feature . . .Mountains & Valleys, Ocean Views, Rivers & Lakes and more. . . .

Up Next: Mountains & Valleys At right. California’s Mount Whitney is the highest mountain in the contiguous United States and the Sierra Nevada, with an elevation of 14,505 feet. Photo courtesy Ross Stone on Unsplash.

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njoy an old-fashioned railroading experience on the Conway Scenic Railroad in New Hampshire. All trains depart from an 1874 train station in North Conway Village. Whether you choose one of Heritage Valley Excursions on the Valley Train or take the Mountaineer to Crawford Notch, this is a journey back in time the whole family is sure to enjoy. The Conway Scenic Railroad is a heritage railroad in North Conway, New Hampshire, owned by Profile Mountain Holdings Corp. The railroad operates on two historic railway routes: a line from North Conway to Conway that was formerly part of the Conway Branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad; and a line from North Conway through Crawford Notch to Fabyan that was once part of the Mountain Division of the Maine Central Railroad. The Conway line is owned by Conway Scenic, and the Mountain Division is owned by the State of New Hampshire. The Conway Scenic Railroad was formed by Byways 10

Dwight Smith, who was an employee of the Boston and Maine Railroad in the late 1960s. After years of negotiations, Smith was able to convince his employer to sell a portion of the Conway Branch, which it planned to abandon, to him and two local businessmen in 1974, and the Conway Scenic Railroad began that year.

Conway Scenic Railroad offers a choice between heritage train rides and scenic railroad excursions from North Conway, New Hampshire. The railroad operates passenger trains out of its station in North Conway Village from April to December each year. The iconic Russian Revival style station was built in 1874. It last served as a common carrier passenger station for the Boston & Maine Railroad in 1961. Since 1974, it has been the headquarters and base of operations for the Conway Scenic Railroad.

Excursion Trains The Conway Valley Train is a classic rural train ride. This 11-mile, 55-minute round-trip journey is ideal if you’re traveling with young children. At Conway,

you’ll have the opportunity to watch the locomotive run around the train in preparation for the return trip to North Conway.

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In 2020, the railroad renamed the “Notch Train” as the Mountaineer to recapture the tradition and romance of the historic train that once traversed these

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lines. Conway Scenic Railroad’s Mountaineer offers a supremely scenic 5 to 5½ hour rail journey through the Mount Washington Valley and over the rugged

Crawford Notch. From September 14th longer ride to Fabyans with an optional stop-over at Crawford station are offered. The Frankenstein Trestle and the Willey Brook Trestle are just two of the many highlights along the route. The Mountaineer consists of 1950sera streamlined passenger cars to recreate the experience of a postWorld War II Transcontinental streamlined train. Choose from a variety of different experiences including premier class travel in the deluxe Rhonda Lee upper dome dining car. Take a step back in time and enjoy a leisurely ride through the Saco River Valley to Bartlett or Sawyer River. This excursion offers a relaxing journey along the river and through the woods.

For additional information, visit: https://www.conwayscenic.com

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limb aboard and hear the whistle blow! The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) is located in Northeast Ohio and runs through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, 33,000 acres of land that is part of the National Park System. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers excursions year-round and offers an excellent view of the natural scenery and wildlife of the national park and an opportunity to learn about the history of Byways 16

the railroad in the valley. Whether you are looking for a family trip or a company outing, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has something for everyone. For more than 100 years, trains have been moving through the scenic wonders of what is now Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In 1989, a mutually beneficial partnership began for Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and the National Park and it has brought a proud distinction to each. There is no other national

park in the country with a non-profit heritage railroad operating within it and providing educational and entertainment programs to enhance the accessibility of the park for tens of thousands of people each year. Park staff continue to deliver educational programming for riders of all ages and maintain the railroad tracks to ensure the safety of all riders. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is a Class III railroad operating diesel-electric and steam-powered

excursion trips. It is dedicated and committed to preserving and renovating historic railcars so that they may be enjoyed by future generations. In addition to providing event excursions year-round, it also offers a membership program and has a volunteer base of more than 1,000. Based on a track bed and rails originally laid down around 1880, right-of-way ownership transitioned over the years from Valley Railway to Cleveland Byways 17

Terminal & Valley Railroad (CT&V), to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, to the Chessie System. Currently, the National Park Service owns the rails and right-of-way within Cuyahoga Valley National Park. CVSR co-operates with Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway (WLE) on operation of the railroad track south to Canton. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad operates their excursion trains in co-operation with both the NPS & WLE. The history of trains in the Cuyahoga Valley stretches back more than 100 years. In 1880, the Valley Railway began operations, transporting coal to Cleveland, Akron, and Canton from the Tuscarawas River Valley and providing passenger service along the way. After a decade of operation, the Valley Railway Byways 18

became part of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In the 20th century, competition from automobiles, trucks, and buses caused the decline of both freight and passenger service. Interest in the line was renewed in

1972 as a scenic excursion route and the Cuyahoga Valley Preservation and Scenic Railway Association was born.

National Park Scenic excursions allow passengers to ride throughout the entire route as well as get on and off at various stations along the way.

From the current CVSR Rockside station, existing tracks follow the West Bank of the Cuyahoga River to along: Valley Belt Road, Bradley Road, Jennings Road, Steelyard Drive, Holmden Avenue, Quigley Road; crossing over the Cuyahoga River on the railroad drawbridge near Quigley and West 3rd, then follow the east bank of the Cuyahoga River.

For more information, visit: https://www.cvsr.org

CVSR’s schedule varies with seasonal demands. Currently, CVSR operates on Saturdays in January–February, Saturdays and Sundays in March–April, Fridays-Sundays in May and Tuesdays-Sundays in June through October. In November, the scenic train runs on weekends only due to The Polar Express. One train makes daily round-trips from Independence to Akron, which takes about 3 hours (1½ hours one-way). Excursion themes include the Cleveland Dinner and Event Train, Ales on Rails, Cocktails on Rails, Grape Escape, and Murder Mysteries. Byways 19

Michigans

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rossroads Village & the Huckleberry Railroad is an authentic Great Lakes town from the turn of the last century, with over 34 historic structures and a thriving community to welcome you.

riverboat known as the Genesee Belle. Come and savor life for a day!

Ride the Huckleberry Railroad, catch a show at the Colwell Opera House or learn a trade from one of the craftspeople. It’s a place out of history where you can make a little history of your own.

The Huckleberry Railroad is a 3 foot narrow gauge heritage railroad located in Genesee Township, Michigan, near Flint. The railroad operates alongside Crossroads Village, both of which are owned and maintained by the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission.

Step back into a time when life moved at a much slower pace. Stroll into town where more than 30 historic buildings and numerous costumed interpreters await your arrival at this re-created 1800s Michigan village. Visit the barber or see the latest show in the Opera House. Stop in to see the blacksmith or the printer hard at work. Discover some of Flint’s early auto history at the Wisner barn or at the Durant Toy Shop. Join other passengers aboard the magnificent Huckleberry Railroad for a 40-minute train ride around the village. Take a whirl on the 1910 Ferris wheel or 1912 Carousel. Enjoy a Sunday evening or special lunch cruise around Mott Lake aboard a paddlewheel Byways 22

Narrow Gauge Railroad

The railroad received its name due to the story that a person could jump off the train, pick wild huckleberries, and re-board the train without difficulty, as it traveled so slowly. The railroad is a 4-mile portion of the former Pere Marquette branch from McGrew, north of Flint, to Fostoria. After the 1975 abandonment the county took over the portion of the line within its parkland along the Mott Lake reservoir. The railroad and Crossroads Village started operations in 1976. Turn loops were added to both ends of the line.

A shop building and adjacent storage building were constructed. The Grand Trunk Western Depot from Davison, Michigan became the entrance to the village. The Huckleberry Railroad’s typical operating schedule runs between late May and early September each year. There’s nothing like a train to carry you back to a simpler time. Imagine what a ride on the Huckleberry Railroad can do. Each 40-minute journey behind the authentic Baldwin steam locomotive takes you along the shores of Mott Lake, down a stretch of the historic Pere Marquette roadbed and back into the heart of Crossroads Village. They also host special runs during the holidays as well as playing host to the very popular “Day Out With Thomas” the tank engine during the summer months. The Huckleberry Railroad currently operates a short

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section of the former Pere Marquette Railway (which became part of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway system in the 1940s) and departs from Flint, Michigan. While the railroad’s star attractions are two steam locomotives, the Huckleberry actually owns seven locomotives in total. The railroad owns a small yard and shop facility and is able to keep maintenance and restoration projects mostly in-house instead of having to contract out such work. This year the railroad added Engine #12, a 1957 GE 50-ton diesel electric locomotive, replacing Engine #7 which has served the railroad for 31 years. Engine #12 is a 3-foot Narrow Gauge and boasts two Detroit Diesel 671 engines. Currently, the Huckleberry Railroad operates three locomotives. #152 and #464 are the primary locomotives that serve the Huckleberry Railroad. At this Byways 24

time, the #464 locomotive is out of service as it is undergoing renovations. The Huckleberry Railroad #152, formerly known as #2 locomotive, is a 4-6-0 built in 1920 by Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, for the Alaska Engineering Commission. After restoration was completed on #152 locomotive in 1976, it was put into service at the Huckleberry

Railroad. Of the locomotives operating since the beginning of the Huckleberry Railroad, #152 is the only locomotive still in active service. Locomotive service #464 was built in 1903 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. The #464 spent most of its life under the ownership of the Rio Grande. In 2009, Crossroads Village was the set for the feature film Alleged, which is based on the 1925 Scopes Trial. The Huckleberry Railroad is shown in the film. It starred Brian Dennehy as Clarence Darrow and Fred Thompson as William Jennings Bryan. Each year Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad is open for the summer season from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Labor Day is the last open day of the summer season. After Labor Day Crossroads Village closes to prepare for the Halloween Ghosts & Goodies program.

Groups of 20 or more can receive a discounted rate with an advance reservation made through the reservations office. Call 810.736.7100 ext. 6 for more information. For additional information on visiting Crossroads Village and the Huckleberry Railroad, go to: https://geneseecountyparks.org/crossroads-village

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Traveling the Highways & Byways with Bill Graves I am sure Delia couldn’t have pulled this off in Duluth or Spokane. But here in McAllen, five miles from the Mexican border, she has a small restaurant chain – a local institution really – built solely on ethnic tastes and tradition.

steamed tamales.

Started in her kitchen decades ago, today she has seven, sit-down restaurants that serve just freshly In the telling of it, it sounds dull, even disastrous in today’s highly competitive restaurant business: For starters, Delia’s menu doesn’t even have a picture on

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Delia’s Tamales, McAllen, Texas

it. Tables and chairs are much like you find in your own kitchen. If the truth be known, this may be a secret of Delia’s success. As her daughter Sofia explains it, “She has always wanted to keep things simple and very plain. And we do that. It’s all about the tamales. The artistry goes into creating great tamales, not into the surrounding where you eat them.” Delia doesn’t even try to compete with the plasticroofed franchises that knock us numb with choices that cover the better part of a wall. She doesn’t have to. Customers know what they want before walking in the door, after that it’s a matter of fine-tuning.

The menu at Delia’s, however, does fill a page. It has seven traditional items, with pork the most popular, and eleven “Specialty Tamales” like spicy chicken cooked in green sauce or a cream cheese and Jalapeño tamale. The one made with sweet corn, brown sugar, coconut, pecans and raisins makes a great dessert, but you have to know that; it is not singled out as a dessert on the menu. Delia Lubin started making tamales at home in 1987, and selling them to homes and businesses out of her car. It was a struggle. Her three daughters would help after school. “Word of mouth” is today what Sofia attributes her mother’s success. Local resident Nancy Millar agrees: “People rave about her tamales. They are head and shoulders above those of anybody else. At Christmas – the highdemand season for tamales – the line outside Delia’s can be a two-hour wait. And that’s for the per-ordered, take outs. This city of McAllen, population 130,000, is in the subtropical Rio Grande Valley in the southern-most reaches of Texas. In the winter, it’s home to thousands of visitors who come year after year and take the title of “Winter Texans”. During the past decade, McAllen has become a promised land for shoppers from both sides of the border. Thirtyfive percent of the retail business here comes from Mexico. Mexicans spend more money in McAllen than in the rest of the U.S. combined. Because retailers go where the money is, McAllen offers shopping normally found only in bigcity malls where competition and turnover is intense. The same can be said for places to eat. The quality and variety of food here exceeds what we expect in a city this size. This too probably accounts for Delia’s success in a niche market with a one-item menu. Sofia is the company’s chief operating officer. Delia, now in her late sixties, is very much involved. “It is hard to get her to sit down,” Sofia says. “When we can’t find her around the office, we know she is in the back helping make tamales.”

Delia, an immigrant from Mexico, opened her first restaurant in 1998. What she built here, I believe, she could not have done anywhere else in the world. It is a success story that has not just “only-inAmerica” but “only in Texas” written all over it.

About the author: After seeing much of the world as a career naval officer, Bill Graves decided, after he retired, to take a closer look at the United States. He has been roaming the country for 20 years, much of it in a motorhome with his dog Rusty. He lives in Rancho Palos Verdes, California and is the author of On the Back Roads, Discovering Small Towns of America. He can be reached at Roadscribe@aol.com. Byways 27

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he Grapevine Vintage Railroad is located in the heart of Historic Downtown Grapevine, Texas and offers a unique experience on authentic 1920s Victorian coaches. The railroad offers excursions and special events that run from the Main Street station in Grapevine to the Fort Worth Stockyards. The railroad is owned and operated by the City of Grapevine. The railroad operates passenger excursion trains using an 1896-era 4-6-0 steam locomotive and sometimes a diesel engine (an EMD GP7) to pull its 1920s-era Victorian coaches. Passengers board at Grapevine’s historic Main Street station and the train operates over a 21-mile route to the Fort Worth Stockyards on former trackage that was owned by the St. Louis Southwestern Railway (aka the Cotton Belt). From its stop in the stockyards, the train then runs a separate excursion along the Trinity River to the 8th Avenue Yard of the Fort Worth and Western Railroad, then returns to the stockyards. Upon return to the stockyards, the engine turns around via a turntable and runs around the train on a siding, then it departs back toward Grapevine. Byways 30

Classes of Service The Grapevine Vintage Railroad has four First Class coaches. These coaches have Victorian-upholstered seats, complete with turn of the century ambiance and are fully climate-controlled for year round passenger comfort. The Touring Class coach offers floor to ceiling views of the communities it travels through. These coaches are complete with padded seating and offer year round climate-control for passenger comfort. Economy Class offers a turn of the century railroad experience with open-air travel during the warmer months and are enclosed and heated during the colder months. These coaches are complete with vintage wooden bench-style seating.

Cotton Belt Route Step back in time with a nostalgic ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. The railroad is serviced by four vintage locomotives, including “Puffy” the 1896 steam locomotive, the oldest continuously operating steam engine in the South, “Vinny”, a 1953 GP-7 diesel locomotive and two 1958 FL9 diesel locomotives.

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Most weekends throughout the year, the Grapevine Byways 32

Vintage Railroad travels along the Historic Cotton

Most weekends throughout the year, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad travels along the Historic Cotton Belt Route between Grapevine and the Historic Stockyards in Fort Worth. While enjoying the leisurely excursion, experience the Great Train Heist! Keep an eye out for those greedy outlaws onboard. Join in on the fun, and help railroad detectives solve the mystery of who robbed the Grapevine Vintage Railroad.

Tahwahkarro Creek Excursion This one-hour excursion departs the Cotton Belt Depot in Grapevine. The entire family will enjoy this true railroad experience. Don’t let your day in Grapevine end with the train ride! Explore Grapevine’s rich history on Historic Main Street, and visit unique shops, restaurants and other cultural attractions.

Trinity River Excursion The Stockyards Trinity River Excursion is a 45-minute train excursion that departs from the Historic Stockyards Station in Fort Worth. The excursion crosses both channels of the Trinity River, travels through Trinity Park and passes Montgomery Plaza before returning to the Stockyards. The Grapevine Vintage Railroad offers more than just standard train rides; throughout the year, discover many different special events, including the adult-only Jazz Wine Trains or the annual family-favorite North Pole Express®. Seasonal Excursions also include Spring Break Excursions, Easter Train, Mother’s Day Train, Memorial Day Train, Father’s Day Train, Labor Day Train, Christmas Wine Trains, and After Christmas Trains. Whether you want to celebrate a holiday, throw an unforgettable birthday party, or just relax and watch the world go by on one of the few train rides in Texas, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad can help you do it in style. https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/ grapevine-vintage-railroad

Belt Route between Grapevine and the Historic Byways 33

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op aboard the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad for the most relaxing and scenic Rocky Mountain experience. This two-and-ahalf-hour train ride takes passengers up 1,000 feet from Leadville, Colorado and through the untamed wilderness of the San Isabel National Forest for breathtaking views of Fremont Pass, Mt. Elbert, Mt. Massive, and the Arkansas River Valley.

Travel to the Continental Divide Originating in “the highest incorporated city in North America”, the LC&S takes passengers along the old Denver, South Park & Pacific and Colorado & Southern lines to the Continental Divide. But, as the old adage states, “It’s not the destination, but the journey that’s important.” This journey is full of breathtaking panoramas across the Arkansas River Valley and humorous narratives about Leadville’s colorful past. Mining and railroading were a large part of the local history, and today’s passengers will find it easy to step back in time on the Leadville, Colorado & Southern. Join in this summer to live the REAL life...ride the train! Byways 36

Adventure, relaxation and sightseeing cannot be topped when riding in the Rocky Mountains on board the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad. This 2½ hour adventure through the untamed wilderness of the San Isabel National Forest is not to be forgotten. Family and friends of all ages have a chance to engage in learning about the historic Leadville, Colorado home to legends like Molly Brown and Horace, Augusta and Baby Doe Tabor, Guggenheims and at one time Doc Holiday.

Tallest Peaks in Colorado The Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad travels north along the Arkansas River Valley. It raises up 1,000 feet off the valley floor so that you will have some spectacular views of Freemont Pass and the two tallest peaks in Colorado, Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert. Also, take time to hear about the fascinating history of the railroads, ghost stories and tales of the wild from the conductor on board the trip. Other highlights include a chance to meet the engineer, take a tour of the caboose and engine. If you come in July and August warm weather exceeds

expectations at 75°, yet it is not surprising to find snow through June and in late September. Although cool, the fall colors are not to be missed with amazing displays of gold, red and orange Aspen trees lighting up the mountain side. Bring a picnic lunch and eat on the train if you wish, but be sure to not forget your cameras and jackets.

Classes of Service Coach Rides General seating includes your choice of open, enclosed, or covered cars. Passengers are welcome to move between cars while the train is in motion. Boarding begins half an hour prior to each trip, and seating is on a first come first-served basis. There are restrooms on the train.

Lounge Car Experience the train ride from the new lounge car. You have a choice of a booth for a maximum of 2 people or a booth with a maximum of 4 people.

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These seating spaces are sold as an individual space. There is limited seating in the lounge car and booths will be assigned upon arrival.

knowledgeable engineers and the opposite direction in general seating. Space is limited so please call ahead to make a reservation or for more information.

Engine Rides Experience the train ride from your own private car! You can ride with the engineer and see firsthand how the train is operated. By purchasing this ticket, you get the opportunity to ride one way with one of the

Caboose Rides Experience the train ride from the recently refurbished caboose. You can ride with the brakeman and learn more about the operation of the train. The lifted cupola seats offer a more expansive view of the

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Rocky Mountains. By purchasing this ticket, you get the opportunity to ride one way with one of the friendly brakemen and the opposite direction in general seating. Space is limited so please call ahead to make a reservation or for more information. Enjoy amusing narratives about Leadville’s colorful past while moving comfortably between open and closed cars for great views of fall’s gold, red, and orange aspen leaves, spring’s snow-capped mountains, or summer’s vibrant wildflowers. The Leadville Colorado and Southern Railroad also offers special deals like their Top of the Rockies Zipline and Train Ride, Raft and Rail Package, and Devils Tail BBQ Special. For more information, visit www.Leadville-Train.com.

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he Niles Canyon Transcontinental Railroad Historic District is made up of the 11 mile-long section of the First Transcontinental Railroad that passes through Niles Canyon between the towns of Sunol and Fremont, north of San Jose, California. The rail line through Niles Canyon to San Francisco was the final segment of the First Transcontinental Railroad and was completed in 1870, providing the first rail connection between the San Francisco Bay area and the rest of the United States. In 1987, the Pacific Locomotive Association entered into an agreement with Alameda County and in 1988, began operating passenger cars along the Niles Canyon Railway. Today, the Pacific Locomotive Association operates the historic Niles Canyon Railway as a living history museum and runs both diesel and steam locomotives through the canyon on Sundays from February through October. Byways 42

The Niles Canyon Railway operates along a portion of the First Transcontinental Railroad constructed in the 1860s. The rail line through Niles Canyon was amongst the earliest to be built in California. When built, the rail line through Niles Canyon was the primary route for overland traffic to and from the San Francisco Bay. A shorter rail line between

Oakland and Sacramento was established via the California Pacific Railroad and a train ferry at Benicia by 1879. As a result, the original line became less used due to its longer route and its steep grade over the Altamont Pass. Passenger and freight trains on the line were reduced to local service only. Steam locomotives pulled trains through Niles Canyon for eighty years before diesels took over in the 1950s. In 1984, after twelve decades of railroading in the canyon, the Southern Pacific ceased operating trains on the right-of-way, pulled up the tracks, and deeded the land to Alameda County. Today, the Niles Canyon Railway provides train rides to the public year-round between Sunol, California and Niles in Fremont, California. The railway’s regular scheduled excursions run on the first and third Sundays each month in January– March and September–October; first and third

Saturday and Sunday each month, April–August. Several trips are run, generally alternating between steam locomotives and diesel locomotives, with both open and enclosed passenger cars. See the railway’s website for exact schedules and for special trains.

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Group charters are also available, from a single caboose to an entire train. During the Christmas period, special “Train of Lights” trips run. Passengers may board at the western end of the line in Fremont, at the Niles station site adjacent to the Union Pacific Coast Line on which Amtrak operates their Capitol Corridor service. The Pacific Locomotive Association has, as of 2022, 9 steam and 13 diesel locomotives, and over 40 pieces of rolling stock. Note. Schedules have been disrupted due to Covid-19. Check on-line updates for latest information.

Levels of Service First Class Dome Enjoy swivel seats in the upper level glass dome during part of your ride for an unparalleled canyon view and a cozy lounge with attendant, and during the rest of your ride, enjoy the lower part of the dome car in the lounge, bar, or dining area. Byways 44

The Santa Fe cabooses provide a special ride for groups of up to 24 people (depending on whether they are adult-sized or childsized), and tables are available on-board for serving refreshments. There are windows on the main floor, but the best view of the train is from the seats high up in the cupola. The Entire Train Tickets are available online for all departures, and your ticket includes a round trip on your selected departure. These trains are very popular and often sell out well in First Class Parlor First Class Parlor tickets include a reserved seat in the Southern Pacific 10040 Dining Car. Enjoy the ride from some of the best seats on the train, in a car appointed with the

original Cuban Mahogany interior. Private Caboose Reserve an entire caboose just for your group, and climb up into the cupola for a bird’s eye view of the train with a docent aboard to tell you about the railroad.

advance, so purchase tickets as early as possible. The Niles Canyon Transcontinental Railroad is one of the best preserved segments of the First Transcontinental Railroad in the western U.S. and is one of the only examples of a mainline railroad in the West to retain most of its features from the 19th and early 20th centuries. For more information and schedules, go to: https://www.ncry.org

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Cave Creek Museum introduces the Arizona Gold Mining Experience

he Cave Creek Museum has created the Arizona Gold Mining Experience, which is a special event visitors and museum members can enjoy the second Saturday of every month. The expansive outdoor experience begins in the museum’s lobby with a lively retelling of the Cave Creek mining district’s history. Guests then move outside for numerous demonstrations that showcase the hard rock ore extraction process for which Cave Creek is renowned. The excitement begins with the operation of the amazing Golden Reef Stamp Mill and Tramway, Arizona’s only fully operational ten-stamp ore crushing mill. The 10, 1,000-lb. stamps slam down in synchronized motion to pound ore removed from the mine into fine gravel. The stamp mill was brought from its former location at the Golden Reef Mine on Continental Mountain to Cave

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Creek Museum, which has the only fully operational mining stamp mill in its original mining district in Arizona; it is located just five miles from its site on the mountain. The giant stamp mill also is connected to a working tramway and ore carts that carry the ore to be pulverized to the stamp mill. The experience continues as guests peer into a mineshaft to show the blasting techniques used by hard rock miners. Next,

onto the new blacksmith shop for a demonstration of the many skills used when parts and tools had to be fabricated onsite. Guests then are encouraged to try their luck at the new gold panning station, where museum volunteers show visitors how to pan for ore and minerals just like the prospectors did.

Afterward, visitors enjoy a tour of the museum’s inside exhibits, including the Feast of Rocks (a mineral display) on loan from the Arizona Mineral, Mining Museum and Natural Resources Education Museum. Other exhibits showcasing Arizona’s mining history include historical and archaeology; articles from Cave Creek’s mining and agricultural past; the historic first Cave Creek church; and the tuberculosis cabin, which is on the National Register of Historic Places as the only known existing tubercular cabin from that era. The Arizona Gold Mining Experience opens at 11am in the museum lobby. Visitors should plan on arriving early so they can purchase admission prior to the event. The 51-year-old museum’s mission is to preserve the artifacts of the prehistory, history, culture and legacy of the Cave Creek Mining District and the Cave Creek/Carefree foothills area through education, research, and interpretive exhibits. Open May through October. https://cavecreekmuseum.org

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Byways is published bi-monthly by Byways, Inc. and distributed electronically throughout North America. Byways is emailed to more than 5,000 tour operators and Travel Trade. Subscriptions are complimentary. An iPad & iPhone version is available for consumers in the App Store. An Android browser version is available at www.issuu.com/byways. Byways’ distribution includes motorcoach companies, tour operators, selected travel agents, and

other group tour travel promoters. It is also available to consumers with an interest in North American travel. For advertising rates, editorial deadlines, or to place advertising insertions, contact: Byways Magazine at 502-785-4875. ©Copyright 2022 by Byways, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be duplicated in any form without express written permission of the publisher.

Editor & Publisher Stephen M. Kirchner

Advertising 502-785-4875 Internet

bywaysmagazine.com stephen.kirchner@gmail.com Byways on Facebook Byways on Twitter

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