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Train afficionado to speak at mining museum
By Lisa Collacott
If you have always wanted to know more about railroads or you are interested in Colorado history, then you will want to join Mel McFarland at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, as he takes you on a ride on the Colorado Midland Railroad.
McFarland, a local railroad historian, will take you on a trip along the Midland using period photographs.
The lecture is 7 p.m. Nov. 5 and is one of the many heritage lectures the museum offers throughout the year.
McFarland’s love for the railroad started when he was a child.
“When he was growing up he heard stories about the Midland from family and friends of the family,” said David Futey, director of education at the museum.
McFarland had a childhood fascination with stories about the Midland.
The Colorado Midland ran from 1887-1918. It was the first railroad built over the Continental Divide.
“It was the first standard gauge railroad into the Colorado mountains,” Futey said.
The railroad was built to transport silver ore from the mines.
It originally ran from Colorado Springs to Leadville. The railroad went through the divide at Hagerman Pass, and eventually extended to Aspen and Grand Junction. Winters could be treacherous along this route.
McFarland will share stories about the Midland and the history of the railroad.
In addition to being a historian, the Colorado Springs native is an artist, a retired middle school teacher and is the chief conductor of the Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway.
McFarland also has authored several books about the railroads of the Pikes Peak Region.
Books include: “The Midland Terminal,” “Rock Island,” and “A Midland Route: The Colorado Midland Guide and Data Book.” He writes informal history columns for three weekly newspapers, including the “Pikes Peak Courier View” and contributes to an online radio station on Tellercast.net.
The lecture should last about 90 minutes with time for questions. There is no cost and light refreshments will be served.
The museum wants anyone planning to attend the lecture to R.S.V.P. at 719-488-0880 or send an e-mail to RSVP@WMMI.org.
The Western Museum of Mining and Industry is located at 225 Northgate Blvd.
McFarland, a local railroad historian, will take you on a trip along the Midland using period photographs.
The lecture is 7 p.m. Nov. 5 and is one of the many heritage lectures the museum offers throughout the year.
McFarland’s love for the railroad started when he was a child.
“When he was growing up he heard stories about the Midland from family and friends of the family,” said David Futey, director of education at the museum.
McFarland had a childhood fascination with stories about the Midland.
The Colorado Midland ran from 1887-1918. It was the first railroad built over the Continental Divide.
“It was the first standard gauge railroad into the Colorado mountains,” Futey said.
The railroad was built to transport silver ore from the mines.
It originally ran from Colorado Springs to Leadville. The railroad went through the divide at Hagerman Pass, and eventually extended to Aspen and Grand Junction. Winters could be treacherous along this route.
McFarland will share stories about the Midland and the history of the railroad.
In addition to being a historian, the Colorado Springs native is an artist, a retired middle school teacher and is the chief conductor of the Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway.
McFarland also has authored several books about the railroads of the Pikes Peak Region.
Books include: “The Midland Terminal,” “Rock Island,” and “A Midland Route: The Colorado Midland Guide and Data Book.” He writes informal history columns for three weekly newspapers, including the “Pikes Peak Courier View” and contributes to an online radio station on Tellercast.net.
The lecture should last about 90 minutes with time for questions. There is no cost and light refreshments will be served.
The museum wants anyone planning to attend the lecture to R.S.V.P. at 719-488-0880 or send an e-mail to RSVP@WMMI.org.
The Western Museum of Mining and Industry is located at 225 Northgate Blvd.
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