The Como Project
Learn more about how we’re transforming Como to preserve the rich rail heritage of the area
The Como Project is a joint undertaking of the South Park Rail Society and the Denver, South Park & Pacific Historical Society, in co-operation with landowners, to preserve and restore a segment of the old Denver South Park & Pacific/Colorado & Southern narrow-gauge railroad facilities and rolling stock in Como, Colorado. The three main railway structures in the complex are the Depot, Hotel, and Stone Roundhouse, together with train car sheds, two train crew cabins, and foundations of original work crew tenement. This project is a joint effort of the following people and organizations.
The Story of The Como Project
Enjoy the short video below created by our friend James Mackay outlining Chuck & Kathy Brantigan’s journey since 2002 when they purchased the Denver, South Park & Pacific's Como roundhouse.
Check out the Denver, South Park & Pacific Historical Society for more information (http://dspphs.org/). Additional videos featuring the Como efforts can be found at the DSPPHS YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@denversouthparkpacifichistoric
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Explore Como
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Como Depot
This train station was built by the original Denver, South Park & Pacific Railway back in 1879. For 60 years it was the center for trains entering and leaving town but by 1939, the last Colorado & Southern train left town and the old depot fell into disrepair.
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Como Roundhouse
The Como Roundhouse, built by Italian stonemasons in 1881. It served as the maintenance center for all the locomotives working out of Como. The roundhouse eventually included the original 6 stalls plus two wooden additions bringing the total to 19 stalls by 1900.
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Como Hotel
The Hotel was built in the summer of 1897 and is one of only 2 buildings constructed for the Denver Leadville and Gunnison Railroad. The Railroad called the building The South Park Hotel but it was known locally as the Como Eating House. In 1978 the Restaurant reopened and traded as the Como Depot.
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The Return of Steam to Como
One of the primary goals of the South Park Rail Society is to return an operational steam locomotive to Como. To accomplish this we acquired a 1912 Baldwin locomotive that has been running in Como since August of 2017.
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The Water Tank
Water tanks were a critical piece of infrastructure for railways ever since the beginning; and Como is no exception. The Como railyard had at least 4 different water tanks over the years with the last one being removed by the Colorado & Southern Railway shortly after it abandoned the railway in 1938.
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Restoring the Track
The track laying project is being accomplished by the Denver South Park & Pacific Railway Historical Society. For decades, the DSP&PRHS has been working to preserve historic railway sites that were once part of the Denver South Park & Pacific. Click below to learn how to volunteer.