Logging Along the Denver & Rio Grande: Narrow Gauge Logging Railroads of Southwestern Colorado and Northern New Mexico [Hardcover] Chappell, Gordon S.

Description

Fascinating history of the numerous narrow gauge logging railroads that grew up as feeder lines to the Denver & Rio Grande and the Rio Grande Southern from the Rio Grande River west across the southern flanks of the San Juan Mountains as far as Utah. This well-researched and written book documents the waves of lumber men who established ambitious dynasties and moved from one timber area to another, erecting large mills and building narrow gauge railroads to serve them. The lumber industry flourished from the 1880s through the 1920s and was still shipping lumber out over the DRGW when it was abandoned. The book is divided geographically and chapters cover logging along the D&RG, the logging spurs of Tres Piedras, logging along the Rio Chama, Pagosa Springs and the Sawmill Octopus, logging south of Lumberton, logging the pine south of Dulce, the Rio Grande Southern, timber form the Plateau, log trains at Glencoe, locomotives at La Madera, and rails north of Delores. Excellent detail on the numerous logging companies — their leaders, methods, rivalries, expansion and contractions. With locomotive rosters for each company. Illustrated throughout with black and white photos, drawings, maps and other illustrations. 191 pages with index and bibliography.