By Railfan & Railroad Staff

The South Park Rail Society, a non-profit in Colorado dedicated to saving the history of the narrow gauge Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad, announced recently that it was purchasing the historic Como Roundhouse at the center of its preservation efforts. According to the group, the South Park Rail Society board of directors agreed to purchase the structure from its current owners, Kathy and Chuck Brantigan, for $400,000. 

Como was the hub of operations for the railroad simply known as the “South Park.” The community located about 70 miles southwest of Denver was at the junction of three routes: one to Denver, a second to Breckinridge, and a third to Gunnison. The roundhouse’s six original stalls were constructed by Italian stonemasons in 1881. The rail complex, which includes the roundhouse, depot, hotel and outbuildings, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. 

The last train out of South Park was in 1938 and the tracks were ripped up soon afterwards. In 1984, the property was purchased by Bill Kazel to save it from further deterioration. It was sold to Kathy and Chuck Brantigan in 2001. Over the years, the roundhouse has been stabilized and the site turned into a museum with rolling stock from the original railroad, including a steam locomotive. 

For more information, visit southparkrailsociety.org.