The Modeler's Forum

The Roundhouse => The O-Narrow Line => Topic started by: Rick on July 30, 2026, 10:33:27 AM

Title: Como Roundhouse
Post by: Rick on July 30, 2026, 10:33:27 AM
While driving towards my next destination in Colorado I saw a sign for a roundhouse off to the right.
I made the right hand turn and less than a quarter mile sat this roundhouse in Como, CO.
Unfortunately the site is fenced off and is only open a few days out of the year.
I would have loved to get in there and look around.

072926ComoRoundhouse01Small.jpg

072926ComoRoundhouse02Small.jpg

072926ComoRoundhouse03Small.jpg

072926ComoRoundhouse04Small.jpg

This was the best I could do of getting a picture of the roundhouse.
Reminded me of the kit that SRMW made.

072926ComoRoundhouse05Small.jpg
Title: Re: Como Roundhouse
Post by: deemery on July 30, 2026, 11:24:00 AM
My photos of Como here: http://davebert.photos/ColoradoFrontRange07/colorado07_014.html

Model Masterpieces did a kit of this in plaster.  It's a great kit, but takes a lot of work.  Those pop up on auction sites on occasion.  

dave
Title: Re: Como Roundhouse
Post by: Rick on July 30, 2026, 12:07:42 PM
Dave, you were lucky to get in.
Was it open more often then?
You also saw six stalls and there's only three now.
The others were damaged in a fire.
Title: Re: Como Roundhouse
Post by: deemery on July 30, 2026, 12:32:38 PM
As I recall, the restoration work was just getting started back when I visited in 2007.  It's a shame they lost 3 stalls in a fire, but presumably the stone is OK and can be used to maintain the remaining stalls.  I think these were 'film camera' shots, sorry the interior photos are so dark!

dave
Title: Re: Como Roundhouse
Post by: PRR Modeler on July 30, 2026, 02:41:18 PM
Thanks for sharing Rick and Dave.
Title: Re: Como Roundhouse
Post by: Philip on July 30, 2026, 05:45:51 PM
Thanks you both for sharing these!

Dave, What is that 4 wheel device in storage? The structure looks to be stable with new windows.

Philip
Title: Re: Como Roundhouse
Post by: deemery on July 30, 2026, 08:31:11 PM
Quote from: Philip on July 30, 2026, 05:45:51 PMThanks you both for sharing these!

Dave, What is that 4 wheel device in storage? The structure looks to be stable with new windows.

Philip
At first, I thought it might be a compressor or a portable power source. But after looking at it some more, I don't see any power source.  

Here's the best photo:  http://davebert.photos/ColoradoFrontRange07/images/img_8097.jpg  Anyone got any good ideas?  I don't think it's something directly railroad related.  

dave
Title: Re: Como Roundhouse
Post by: Philip on July 30, 2026, 09:24:10 PM
https://youtu.be/bWMg_AoVxhA?t=419

Frick Steam Tractor?
Title: Re: Como Roundhouse
Post by: Rick on July 31, 2026, 06:19:40 AM
Philip, nice find on that video.

I did an image search using Dave's picture and found this: 1910 Keystone steam-powered portable churn drill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqsKXhwJiAQ
Title: Re: Como Roundhouse
Post by: Larry C on July 31, 2026, 07:09:41 AM
Rick nice photos so thanks. Being Colorado the track looks like it might be narrow gauge or maybe it's just the camera angle. Nice some of the roundhouse is being preserved.
Title: Re: Como Roundhouse
Post by: Rick on July 31, 2026, 07:16:37 AM
Quote from: Larry C on July 31, 2026, 07:09:41 AMBeing Colorado the track looks like it might be narrow gauge

Yes, it's three foot gauge.
Title: Re: Como Roundhouse
Post by: Philip on July 31, 2026, 06:36:38 PM
Wow!

Title: Re: Como Roundhouse
Post by: deemery on July 31, 2026, 08:19:00 PM
Quote from: Rick on July 31, 2026, 07:16:37 AM
Quote from: Larry C on July 31, 2026, 07:09:41 AMBeing Colorado the track looks like it might be narrow gauge

Yes, it's three foot gauge.
Denver, South Park & Pacific RR, rolled into the Colorado & Southern narrow gauge.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver%2C_South_Park_and_Pacific_Railroad

On Como: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Como,_Colorado

And on the roundhouse today:  https://www.southparkrailsociety.org/historic-como-roundhouse

dave
Title: Re: Como Roundhouse
Post by: Philip on July 31, 2026, 10:39:54 PM
https://www.facebook.com/profile/1330446268/search/?q=como

This woman had some nice photos of Como on here timeline.

And it's not Perry Como! ;D
Title: Re: Como Roundhouse
Post by: Rick on August 01, 2026, 06:43:56 AM
Philip, thanks for the links and that second one is the better of the two.
Title: Re: Como Roundhouse
Post by: Philip on August 01, 2026, 10:33:21 AM
Quote from: Rick on August 01, 2026, 06:43:56 AMPhilip, thanks for the links and that second one is the better of the two.

Fixed it. TY