Thirty‑three tons of railroad rail that had lined Sixth and Central streets in Dolores for more than a year were hauled this week to the town’s landfill for storage by the Galloping Goose Historical Society.
The society had stacked the material downtown while it worked to find a new storage site, prompting questions from residents, nearby property owners and the school district about when the piles would be removed, Town Manager Leigh Reeves said.
Galloping Goose board member Kent Aikin described Thursday’s removal as a straightforward load‑and‑haul job using a skid steer and a long‑tilt trailer. Each trip carried only a small amount because of the rail’s weight.
“Well, what they did – they had a great big long trailer,” Aikin said. “It was very, very smooth and easy and no real issues occurred.”
Aikin said the society had hoped to complete the move earlier, but its original hauler backed out and a replacement had to be hired. The group is relieved to have the street cleared, he said.
The rail will be stored for future restoration or display projects, not discarded, Aikin said. Some pieces have already been incorporated into features at Dolores’ bike and skate park.
The rails were donated to the historical society about 20 years ago by the U.S. Army Pueblo Depot when it was decommissioned in 2004. The nonprofit preserves the history of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad and the Galloping Goose No. 5 rail car.
After the donation, the rails were stored on private land in Dolores, but the change in ownership required them to be moved. The town later agreed to store most of the material at the old green‑waste landfill under a contract with hauler Ken Vance.
Aikin said the society appreciates the town’s patience as arrangements were finalized.
“We finally worked together and coordinated and now it’s gone. The sheriff red‑tagged the trailer, it will be great to have that trailer moved, because it is a dangerous situation,” Reeves said. She said the corner will be much safer once the trailer that held the stacked rails is removed.
awatson@the‑journal.com
