Group Fighting To Save Historic Rail Depot
CRAIG, Colo. (CBS4) – A historic group is fighting to save what it calls a key to the history and founding of Colorado.
The Rocky Mountain Railroad Heritage Society says time is running out for one historic depot.
"We wouldn't have a lot of history if it weren't for the railroads," said train enthusiast James Craig.
This weekend many train enthusiasts came to Englewood to hear about Colorado's long history with railroad tracks. But now they fear that history is being forgotten.
"What association do people have with railroads? There's two of them, it's either the light rail or 'Oh my God I have to stop and wait for this freight train to go by,' " said Craig.
Now they are fighting to save what's left.
President of the Rocky Mountain Railroad Heritage Society Jim Jordan says the Craig Depot in in Craig is slated for deconstruction.
"The depot was usually the first building in the community," said Jordan.
The building has been sitting in disrepair for about 30 years and hasn't been fully used since the 1960s.
Jordan says we need to keep symbols like it around.
"The goal is to save our vanishing railroad heritage," said Jordan.
The society is submitting two plans to the Union Pacific Railroad to keep the building from being demolished.
"They represent our heritage here in the state. They represent our history," said Jordan.
A history that people at the society say can be trace back tie by tie to the West's first railroads, which are now outdated but not forgotten.
"It's what made Colorado, Colorado," said Craig.
