McFarland to unveil obscure Midland train photos in talk at History Center Feb. 26
Mel McFarland, considered the leading local authority on Colorado Midland railroading history, will give a presentation at 2
p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26 at the History Center, 1 S. 24th St.
Titled the “Colorado Midland and Old Colorado City,” the talk will include a slide show of about 100 pictures - more than half of which have not appeared in his books, he said. The subject matter will focus “mainly on this area, the railroad itself, and something about the people who worked and lived around it,” he said. Admission is free, although donations will be accepted by the Old Colorado City Historical Society (OCCHS), which operates the volunteer History Center. McFarland has written five books about railroading, including two on the Midland trains. One of these is still in print - “The Winter of '99.” He is employed as an engineer at the Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway (also known as the cog railway) in Manitou Springs and writes a weekly historical column for several area publications, including the Westside Pioneer. There were actually two railroads with “Midland” in their names, running through Old Colorado City and up Ute Pass - simultaneously for a while - between 1894 and 1949. McFarland said he has gleaned some of his photos from obscure library collections and others from private citizens who have contacted him. For more information, call the History Center at 636-1225. Westside Pioneer article |