Museum Publications

Please call us at 1-800-365-6263 to order a copy of any of these books, or order our catalogue online. Click on any image to see a larger version.

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Other books:
Museum Annuals


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Centennial State Trolleys: The Life and Times of Colorado's Streetcars

By Ken Fletcher.

At various times between 1871 and 1951, Colorado was served by 17 different street railway systems. This is a comprehensive review of the intriguing histories of all these lines around the state, from Aspen to Trinidad, Freely to Durango. Mule cars, cable cars, Denver's new light rail system, are all here.

160 pages, nearly 200 illustrations, softbound. $19.95
Special limited edition, signed and numbered, hardcover. $44.95

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Colorado Railroads and the Colorado Railroad Museum

A concise review of Colorado railroad development from 1867 to today. Also included is the story of the Museum's origins and a complete roster of Museum equipment.  

64 pages, over 50 black and white photographs, map, 6 x 9, softcover. $6.95

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Colorado's Post Offices 1859-1989

By William H. Bauer, James L. Ozment and John H. Willard.

Here is the most thorough listing ever compiled of the post offices, stations and branches which have existed in the state of Colorado. Included are the opening and closing dates for each, and the location by county. This book is a complete revision and updating of the original study of 20 years ago, and contains additional data in several areas. "Colorado Post Offices" is of interest not only to those in the rapidly expanding field of postal history, but it also provides a valuable reference for anyone intrigued by Colorado history and the state's many fascinating ghost towns and mining camps.

228 pages, 40 photographs, reproductions of 44 historic postal covers and 80 rare cancellations, hardcover. $19.95

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Colorful Colorado Railroads in the 1960s

By Ronald C. Hill.

An extraordinary all-color collection of Colorado railroad photos during the 1960s from the camera of Ronald C. Hill. You will find E-units and DD35s on the Union Pacific, Alco FAs on the Rock Island, SD9s on the Colorado & Southern, Alco PAs on the Rio Grande, and F-units galore. Centered in Denver, the photo coverage ranges south to Pueblo, east to Akron and west to Steamboat Springs.

Recapture the glorious days of the California Zephyr, Colorado Eagle, Denver Zephyr, Portland Rose, Prospector, Rocky Mountain Rocket, Royal Gorge and Yampa Valley Mail. This superb book about Colorado railroading near the end of the golden age is one which you must have for your collection. Some of Colorado's favorite railroading subjects against the spectacular scenery of the Centennial state.

112 pages, over 140 all-color photos, 100-pound salon quality paper, horizontal format, hardcover. $24.95

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Locomotive 346: Rebirth for the 21st Century

By Dirk P. Ramsey and George E. Lawrence.

A revised edition of the original "Locomotive 346: The First Hundred Years", this book is a history of the museum's Locomotive 346 and includes a new section covering the engine's rebuilding at Strasburg.

48 pages, black and white photos, softbound. $9.95

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The Moffat Tunnel: A Brief History

By Charles Albi and Kenton Forrest.

New, expanded edition. The dream, construction, operation and transition of the tunnel, from steam to diesel and Denver & Salt Lake, Denver & Rio Grande Western, Southern Pacific and Union Pacific.

52 pages, softbound. $14.95

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Mountain Mainlines of the West

By Ronald C. Hill.

A beautiful presentation of black and white photographs of contemporary railroading in the west, from the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains. Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, Burlington Northern, Santa Fe, Rio Grande, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific are included in this tour.

64 pages, softcover. $8.50

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Pueblo's Steel Town Trolleys

By Morris Cafky and John A. Haney.

Pueblo is one of eight cities in Colorado that once had a street railway. For a full century, the Colorado Fuel & Iron steel dominated the economy of the city, and this affected the development of the transit system as well. In "Pueblo's Steel Town Trolleys", Morris Cafky and John Haney skillfully trace the fascinating story from beginning to end.

At first there were horse cars; later, many of the electric trolleys were built by the Woeber Carriage Company of Denver. In the final years, ex-Colorado Springs Birney cars dominated the fleet. By 1940, Pueblo was one of the only cities where not a single motor bus operated in transit service. Included are the stories of the terrible 1921 flood, the heavy traffic to the annual Colorado State Fair, first-hand recollections of riders and employees, detailed descriptions of routes and track, and equipment rosters.

144 pages, black and white and color photos, 2 system maps, softbound. $24.95

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Railroads of Coors Field

By Kenton Forrest.

In 1995, the Colorado Rockies played their first season in their new home in lower downtown Denver - Coors Field. To commemorate this event, we published this fine illustrated account of the new ballpark's railroad heritage. It occupies the former site of the city's first railroad station and what was for many years Union Pacific's passenger car yard. Today, Amtrak's California Zephyr and the Rio Grande Ski Train pass behind the left field bleachers en route to and from Union Station. This not only is a fascinating story of rail activity in the neighborhood over the years, but also tells the relationship of baseball with railroads and public transit since Denver's earliest days.

48 pages, over 70 photos, full color wraps, softcover. $9.95

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Rio Grande Secret Places
Volume One: The Tunnel District

By R.C. Farewell.

Although much of the Rio Grande's standard gauge route between Denver and Salt Lake City has been well-documented over the years, some regions of the mainline have been overlooked. R.C. Farewell has spent nearly nine years documenting these overlooked areas, assembling vintage as well as current views and uncovering pertinent historical data. This accumulation of material is presented here in the first of a two volume set on Rio Grande's secret places.

This volume covers the Tunnel District of Colorado's front range. Included are over 150 striking images from this region, including nearly 30 in color. Described and illustrated are historical foundations of the present route, as well as past and current operations over the line. Photos include both steam and diesel, providing views of Denver & Salt Lake, Denver & Rio Grande Western and Southern Pacific.

160 pages, hardcover. $34.95

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Rio Grande Secret Places
Volume Two: Ruby Canyon and the Desert

By R.C. Farewell.

Some of the most magnificent main line railroading anywhere can be found in the western Colorado-eastern Utah desert country. A detailed and photographic history of the route is presented for the first time in R.C. Farewell's Rio Grande Secret Places, Volume II, which portrays both the desert and its Ruby Canyon in spectacular fashion. Pictorial emphasis is on Rio Grande, Southern Pacific and Union Pacific operation in recent years, but a few rare D&RGW steam views are included. Three-dimensional maps highlight key areas. There is coverage of many miles of alignment that were graded but never used, and of obscure desert tidbits such as the Ballard & Thompson Railroad.

208 pages, 42 color and over 200 black-and-white photographs, hardbound. $45.95

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Rocky Mountain Railroad Memories: A Quarter Century View

By Ed Fulcomer.

Here is a photo trek through a quarter century of western railroading by one of Colorado's foremost railroad photographers in the diesel era. Many classic diesels are featured in action in Colorado, on Sherman Hill and in Utah. Alco PAs, F-units, etc.

64 pages, 67 salon quality black and white photographs, softbound. $8.50

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The Ski Train

By Steve Patterson and Kenton Forrest.

For almost 60 years, the Rio Grande railroad and its successor, Southern Pacific, have operated ski specials from Denver. Here is the whole story of how Colorado's billion-dollar ski industry started from passenger trains, and how and why the ski train is still serving today. The authors examine operations and equipment, and review other past and present North American ski trains.

80 pages, 8 in full color, softbound. $19.95

Maps

  • COLORADO RAILROAD MAP
    This map covers all known Colorado railroads and electric railways, both operating and abandoned, through 1996. On the back of the map are smaller detailed maps taken from folders and timetables, as well as a list of cars and locomotives that are on display.
    Folded. $4.95 
  • DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN NO. 50
    This engine, now at the museum, was a narrow gauge switcher at Durango. A set of three drawings show general arrangement, dimensions, and color scheme. The drawings measure 53" x 30", 57" x 18", and 8-1/2" x 11".
    Three-drawing set. $12.00
  • DENVER & RIO GRANDE NO. 42
    Number 42, a 2-8-0, is one of the early narrow gauge steam engines of the Denver & Rio Grande. This blueprint drawing is available in two sizes.
    83" x 36", rolled. $13.00
    61" x 30", rolled. $8.00
  • HISTORIC DENVER MAP FROM THE 1920s
    This map shows central Denver in great detail, block by block, as well as all railroad yards, terminals, roundhouses, and shop buildings. Also shown are smelters and stockyards, including trackage.
    36" x 51", rolled. $8.00
  • INTERURBAN MAP - DENVER TO GOLDEN
    A detailed map showing Route 84 or the Denver & Intermountain Railway from Denver to Golden. Also shows the Denver Tramway narrow gauge Route 83 between Denver and Golden and Route 82 between Denver, Arvada and Leyden.
    Rolled. $6.00
  • TWO HISTORIC COLORADO MAPS
    Printed back to back on one 27" x 33" sheet, folded. $8.95
    • Map 1: 1906 Board of Equalization (tax assessor) railroad map. 30-1/4" x 34-1/2". Railroad lines are individually colored on black base map. 
    • Map 2: 1916 Colorado State Highway map. Rail lines are shown along with roads in existence at that time. Before state highway numbering, this is a fascinating look at the beginning of the motoring age. 28" x 34". Color lines on black base map.

Publications from the Archives
of the Robert W. Richardson Library

  • 1938 REPORT ON BRANCH LINES OF THE DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN RAILROAD
    Discusses in detail 30 branch lines in CO, UT, and NM. This document includes a short history, rail and bridge data, maps, stations, carloadings, and abandoment recommendations.
    400 pages, 14 color maps, 3-hole punched. $37.50  
  • BURLINGTON LINES STANDARD TRACK SIGNS BOOKLET
    These sheets have been enlarged from the original small booklet form for better readablity. The drawings show the dimensions of various signs along the right-of-way and on structures. The indexes for this booklet are dated from 1958 to 1965.
    79 pages. $9.95
  • COLORADO & SOUTHERN RAILWAY COMPANY: List of Officers, Agents, Stations, Etc. July 1, 1913
    This booklet, originally compiled by the General Auditor's office to properly credit expenses, includes - station names, crossings, mileages, roundhouses, coaling stations, turntables, stockyards, and scales. Equipment lists (standard and narrow gauge) show locomotives, passenger cars and freight cars. Also shown are the two-foot Gilpin Railroad and the electric Denver & Interurban between Denver and Boulder.
    42 pages, horizontal format, spiral-bound, softcover. $6.95

  • COLORADO & WYOMING ICC VALUATION MAP: Northern, Middle and Southern Divisions of the Colorado & Wyoming Railway
    This map covers the Northern Division (Hartville, Wyo., North Platte River, Sunrise Mine, Wyo., Sunrise Mine - Land), Middle Division (Yard Trackage Minnequa, Lime Quarry Branch), Southern Division (Jensen, Madrid, Valdez, Segundo, Weston, Bridge 21C, Bingham, Terico, Terico Station - Land), Primero Branch and station, Piedmont Branch (Farrelville, Colo.), Tabasco Yard, and Hezron Branch (Hezron Junction, Colo., Hezron Station - Land). Maps reduced 50% or more.
    35 maps. $38.95
  • DENVER & RIO GRANDE RAILROAD DIVISION OF OWNERSHIP SKETCHES FOR COLORADO AND NEW MEXICO
    From the Archives of the Robert W. Richardson Railroad Library. These maps or sketches show the ownership of D&RG track with that of connecting railroads in Colorado and New Mexico.
    105 pages, 104 black and white maps and sketches, 3-hole punched. $34.95
  • DENVER & RIO GRANDE RAILROAD DIVISION OF OWNERSHIP SKETCHES FOR UTAH
    From the Archives of the Robert W. Richardson Railroad Library. These maps or sketches show the ownership of D&RG track with that of connecting railroads in Utah.
    119 pages, 118 black and white maps and sketches, 3-hole punched. $34.95
  • DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN RAILROAD NARROW GAUGE REPORT 1941-1948
    This document is a companion to the "Branch Line Report". Printed from the original document, includes car loading reports, revenue and expenses, freight and passenger statistics, maps.
    77 pages, 3-hole punched. $11.95

  • DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN RAILROAD: Report of Passenger Operations 1942 and Passenger Car Survey 1960
    On March 31, 1942, Mr. R.B. Eagleston of the Research and Statistical Bureau issued a report on the condition and operation of Rio Grande's passenger trains and exhibits, which have more details about the Rio Grande's trains and those of other western lines. The last section is a study of passenger equipment done by the mechanical department in 1960.
    98 pages, charts, maps, 3-hole punched. $29.95

  • DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN RAILROAD STANDARD PRACTICE: 1930s Details for Steam Engines, Freight and Passenger Cars
    From the John Hubbard Collection. Charts, diagrams and standard practice instructions.
    215 pages, charts, maps, 3-hole punched. $32.95

  • EMPLOYEE TIMETABLE COMPENDIUM OF THE DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN RAILROAD AND PREDECESSOR AND AFFILIATED RAILROADS (1871-1988)
    By Russ Powers. This annotated compendium is the result of a year-long effort to catalogue and describe the employee timetables of the D&RGW and its predecessor and affiliated railroads.
    61 pages, spiral-bound. $9.95

  • LEADVILLE LINE ABANDONMENT STUDY 1935
    A report on the upgrading of the South Park Line on the Colorado & Southern Railway. After the 1928 application for abandonment, which was denied, the railway company did some exploring of new ways to make the line more profitable. One option was to obtain diesel locomotives. Another was for the purchase of larger narrow gauge steam engines, which even included the mallets from the Uintah Railroad. A must for anyone interested in C&S history.
    72 pages, pull-out color map, 3-hole-punched. $18.95
  • MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION: Denver & Rio Grande Book No. 8, Chief Engineers Office, Denver 1892
    Miscellanous details about the Denver & Rio Grande in 1892. Listed are construction dates, cost, mileage by divisions, roundhouses, projected and survey lines, bridges and equipment. There are some pages of data for the Colorado Midland, Rio Grande Southern, and Rio Grande Western.
    38 pages, horizontal format, softbound. $6.95
  • PUBLIC TIMETABLES OF THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD
    By Kenton Forrest. A checklist of all UP public timetables from 1869 to 1971, showing effective dates, cover designs, number of pages in each timetable, and remarks. 
    62 pages, 3-hole punched. $29.95

  • STANDARD PLANS OF THE DENVER & RIO GRANDE RAILROAD OF 1907
    This is a book of detailed drawings of wood water tanks, section houses, bunk houses, trestles, frogs and switchers. Also shown are rail and splice bar cross sections and drilling diagrams for rails from 30 pounds to 85 pounds per yard.
    77 pages, 12-3/4" x 15". $34.95

  • STANDARD PLANS OF THE DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN RAILROAD: Volume 1 - Sheets #1 to #110, 1942-1969 
    This is the first volume of a set of four volumes containing ballast section spacing of track ties, right of way fence and gate, standard grade crossing, snow fence, electric lock for hand-thrown switches, various stands, frogs and much more.
    51 pages, loose-leaf. $9.95

  • STANDARD PLANS OF THE DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN RAILROAD: Volume 2 - Sheets #111 to #185.2, 1939-1979
    This is the second volume of a set of four volumes containing diagrams of switch ties for various numbered switches, roadway signs, highway signs, circuit controllers, open deck pile trestle, and much more.
    57 pages, loose-leaf. $9.95

  • STANDARD PLANS OF THE DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN RAILROAD: Volume 3 - Sheets #186 to #279
    This is the third volume of a set of four. Includes coal trestle, loading ramps, sidewalk and handrail for ballasted deck and open deck trestles, wood box culverts, placement of corrugated metal pipes and the headwalls for them, section tool house, stockyard fence and gate details, locomotive inspection pit, wash pit, and much more.
    56 pages, loose-leaf. $9.95

  • STANDARD PLANS OF THE DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN RAILROAD: Volume 4 - Sheets #279 to #309 and Index
    This is the fourth volume of four. Included in this volume is store car standard gauge, work equipment tool car, outfit cars, method of locating and marking clearance points, clearance diagrams, clearance diagrams for Colorado, Utah, narrow gauge, highway overpass, flagging equipment rack for stations and much more.
    29 pages, loose-leaf. $5.95

  • UNION PACIFIC RAILWAY: Colorado Division - Bridges, Buildings and Other Structures, January 1, 1886  
    This small booklet lists in detail the bridges and railroad structures for the Union Pacific's Colorado Division in 1886. For the structure section, it lists the location, milepost, foundations and dimensions of the structure. For bridges, the listing includes the bridge numbers, the stream, dimension and type along with year built. For historians of Colorado railroads, this little booklet will describe the physical structure of the railroad in 1886. Many of these buildings and bridges are still standing today and are landmarks of Colorado history. This booklet contains no drawings.   
    80 pages, spiral-bound, softcover. $24.95

Colorado & Southern Railway
1918 ICC Railroad Valuation Maps

These maps show the location of the railroad right-of-way, track, bridges, tunnels and structures. They have been reproduced to 50% of their original size and measure 12" x 30". Detailed station and index maps are included in each set.

  • Sets now available:
    • SET 1: SHERIDAN JUNCTION, COLORADO TO SINGLETON, COLORADO (PLATTE CAÑON DISTRICT)
      This is the beginning of the Platte Cañon line of South Park. 28 maps. $34.95
    • SET 2: GRANT, COLORADO TO ALMA, COLORADO
      29 maps. $34.95
    • SET 3: DENVER TERMINALS
      Denver Terminals, Morrison Branch, Silica Branch, Trout Creek Pass and Leavick Branch. 33 maps. $38.95
    • SET 4: CLEAR CREEK JUNCTION TO IDAHO SPRINGS, COLORADO
      20 maps. Includes the Golden-Arvada area. $30.95
    • SET 5: IDAHO SPRINGS TO SILVER PLUME, COLORADO
      With Forks Creek to Black Hawk and Central City, Colorado. 22 maps. $34.95
    • SET 6: COMO TO KOKOMO, COLORADO
      Includes Robinson, Colorado. 26 maps. $34.95

Denver & Rio Grande Railroad
1919 ICC Railroad Valuation Map Sets

These maps show the location of the railroad right-of-way, track, bridges, tunnels and structures. They have been reproduced to 50% of their original size and measure 12" x 30". Detailed station and index maps are included in each set.

  • Sets now available:
    • VALUATION MAP BOOKLET FOR D&RGW
      This looseleaf booklet is an indexed listing of all the valuation sections in the maps and describes the various markings, locations and other data for each section. It contains both the 1919 and 1941 editions. This is a must in being able to read the maps accurately.
      33 pages. $4.95
    • SET 1: ANTONITO, COLORADO TO CHAMA, NEW MEXICO 
      Includes three detailed station maps and two index maps. 26 maps. $34.95
    • SET 2: COLORADO STATE LINE TO DURANGO 
      Includes Pagosa Springs Branch. 28 maps. $34.95 
    • SET 3: CHAMA, NEW MEXICO TO NEW MEXICO STATE LINE 
      Includes New Mexico Lumber Company and Rio Grande & Southwestern Railroad. 26 maps. $38.95
    • SET 4: DURANGO TO SILVERTON
      Includes Farmington, New Mexico Branch and station maps for Durango and Silverton. 38 maps. $38.95  
    • SET 5: ALAMOSA TO CREEDE
      Includes station maps for Creede, Del Norte, and Monte Vista. 24 maps (standard gauge). $34.95  
    • SET 6: ALAMOSA TO TAOS JUNCTION
      The Chili Line. 27 maps. $34.95
    • SET 7: TAOS JUNCTION TO SANTA FE
      The Chili Line. Includes LaMadera Branch. 27 maps. $34.95
    • SET 8: LA VETA TO ALAMOSA
      Includes Alamosa station, yard and shops. 25 maps. $34.95
    • SET 9: MEARS JUNCTION TO ALAMOSA
      The Valley Line. Includes Crestone and Orient Branch. 31 maps. $34.95
    • SET 10: SALIDA TO GUNNISON (MARSHALL PASS)
      Includes Monarch Branch. 34 maps. $34.95
    • SET 11: CRESTED BUTTE, ETC
      Includes Crested Butte Branch, Baldwin Branch, Floresta Branch and Lake City Branch. 38 maps. $38.95
    • SET 12: GUNNISON TO MONTROSE
      Covering the route from Gunnison to Ouray and Montrose. 34 maps. $38.95
    • SET 13: CLEORA TO MALTA
      The Calumet Branch. 31 maps. $34.95
    • SET 14: LEADVILLE DISTRICT
      Includes all spurs, branches and extensions in the mining district with 12 station maps. 37 maps. $38.95
    • SET 15: MALTA TO GLENWOOD SPRINGS
      39 maps. $38.95
    • SET 16: GLENWOOD SPRINGS TO GRAND VALLEY
      Includes Aspen Branch. 32 maps. $34.95
    • SET 17: GRAND VALLEY TO UTAH STATE LINE
      34 maps. $34.95
    • SET 18: MONTROSE TO GRAND JUNCTION
      26 maps. $34.95
    • SET 19: DELTA TO OLIVER (SOMERSET BRANCH)
      Includes North Fork (Somerset) Branch. 18 maps. $29.95
    • SET 20: GOODNIGHT TO PARKDALE
      Includes Chandler Branch, Fremont Branch and Coal Creek Branch. 25 maps. $34.95
    • SET 21: SPIKEBUCK TO WELLSVILLE
      Includes Westcliffe Branch and Howard Branch. 26 maps. $34.95
    • SET 22: PUEBLO TERMINAL 1919 (BEFORE FLOOD) 
      This map shows the area around Pueblo before the flood of 1922. 19 maps showing many locations and the track plan before the flood which moved the Arkansas River to a different location. $29.95
    • SET 23: PUEBLO TERMINAL 1939 (AFTER FLOOD) 
      This map shows the track location after the flood of 1922. 24 maps. $32.95
    • SET 24: SOUTHERN JUNCTION TO WALSENBURG TO LEVETA
      These maps show the track location for the following: Loma Branch, Capers Branch, Sonora Branch, Zinc Branch. 39 maps. $38.95
    • SET 25: LASCAR TO BON CARBO
      These maps show the track location for the following: Rouse Branch, DuPont Branch, Reilly Cañon Branch, Reilly Cañon Extension. 32 maps. Includes Trinidad. $34.95
    • SET 26: DENVER TERMINAL 
      Includes Fort Logan Branch. 25 maps. $34.95
    • SET 27: LITTLETON TO COLORADO SPRINGS
      Joint Line. Includes Louviers Branch. 28 maps. $34.95
    • SET 28: COLORADO SPRINGS TO BRAGDON
      Joint Line. Includes Manitou Springs Branch. 28 maps. $34.95
    • SET 29: INDEX
      Key maps for Colorado and New Mexico, including Corporation Operational Chart. Also covered are Tabernash, Dotsero Cutoff, Phippsburg and Craig. The corporation organizational chart lists companies before 1919, along with trackage rights. This index covers all the narrow gauge and standard gauge routes of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. Also available are the sectional maps in 28 different sections, sold seperately. 26 pages. $34.95
    • SET 30: COLORADO & WYOMING
      Northern, Middle and Southern Divisions. 35 maps. $38.95
    • SET 31: DENVER, NORTHWESTERN & PACIFIC / DENVER & SALT LAKE 
      Utah Junction to Granby, Colorado. Includes Tunnel District and Rollins Pass line, Northwestern Terminal Railroad, East Denver Belt and Stock Yards. 18 maps. $38.95
    • SET 32: DENVER, NORTHWESTERN & PACIFIC / DENVER & SALT LAKE - WILLOWS TO CRAIG
      Willows, Colorado, to Craig, Colorado. 32 maps. $39.95

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