Rio Grande Southern Over Lizard Head Pass

SKU: DVD-SRP-OLHP
(2 customer reviews)

$24.95

Breath-taking peaks of SW Colorado. (Ships to USA & Canada only.)

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Producer

Sunday River Productions

Narration

Yes

Run Time

40 Minutes

Technical Details

Region Code 1, USA and Canada

Ride the last steam passenger trains of the Rio Grande Southern and experience the world of real narrow gauge, amid the breath-taking peaks of southwest Colorado.

In 1932 the Rio Grande Southern stopped running passenger trains. After that date the Rocky Mountain RR Club ran three steam excursions and Charlie Ryland, the club president, filmed two of them. His friend Ed Hailey, who organized the trips, edited his footage into this film. On Memorial Day 1947, the first trip departed from Ridgway to Dolores over Lizard Head Pass and returned the following day.

The second trip in 1949 ran from Ridgway to Telluride where it tied up for the night. The following day it continued on to Lizard Head, reversed direction, and returned to Ridgway. Photographed on board and from trackside, capturing all the mountain mining towns: Ridgway, Placerville, Vance Junction, Telluride, Ophir, Lizard Head and Dolores.

2 reviews for Rio Grande Southern Over Lizard Head Pass

  1. rickyfreni

    Originally released on VHS only in 1990 (which is the sequel to Otto Perry’s RGS from 1988), the ’50s Rock & Roll Music from New England Steam Main Lines was used, as it contains the films of Mr. Charles V. Ryland which was edited by Mr. Edward J. Haley.

    Here’s the timeline:

    1. The Ridgeway to Dolores trip in 1947 with 1899 built 4-6-0 number 20 now restored at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, & another trip with 2-8-0 number 74 that has onboard footage from the coaches as well as heading to bypass Mt. Sneffles which is at 14,150 feet above sea level. Beyond Dallas Divide, Otto Perry is seen with his 1935 Ford car. Number 20 was also shown in the motion picture: Ticket to Tomahawk. The Snow Sheds in Lizard Head Pass is at 10,250 feet, while the Summit itself is at 13,113 feet above sea level. Later on, Galloping Goose Motor Car number 5 is shown, not to mention 463 on a freight from Dolores to Durango which the 1903 built 2-8-2 is still on the Cumbres & Toltec.

    2. A 1949 excursion from Ridgeway to Lizard Head Summit Via Telluride. Here, one of the RGS’ own Business cars: the Edna is receiving an overhaul at Ridgeway. On one scene, Mr. Ed. Hailey, & even the cameraman himself is doing some lettering on the coach. Ridgeway yard also has a snowplow. Meanwhile, number 74 is in charge of the excursion. Later, it meets up with Goose 5, & then climbs the 4% grade on Keystone Hill. The town of Pandora used to have a mine there. Several Trestle Bridges in Ophir are on the 3.25% grade, while the station itself is at 9236 ft. Approaching Lizard Head, there is some heavy snow on the mountain, while at the same time, the steam special had to rescue Goose 6 at the summit.

    And 3. A short 1988 visit to the Colorado Railroad Museum with scenes of Goose 2, while the program ends with vintage films of number 41 at Southern California’s Ghost Town & Calico in Knott’s Berry Farm.

  2. Chase

    Some really great footage of the Rio Grande Southern in this DVD and most definately a must have for any RGS or narrow gauge fan. Neat footage of one of Colorado’s most fabled railroad lines.

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