Night Train To Durango: Rico Colorado ca 1917 by Stanton Manolakas

Stanton Manolakas
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Added 30 Jun 2007
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Night Train To Durango: Rico Colorado ca 1917

This painting I enjoyed doing because of its dramatic compositional concept. Rico Colorado is a favorite of model railroading enthusiasts who are interested in narrow guage railroading. It is a stop on the Colorado and Southern Railroad. These narrow gauge mountain railroads were a lifeline for those pioneers that helped develop the American mining and timber industries. I painted two versions of this painting as a 30"x 40" work. Shown is the second of the two paintings. So get out of the cold Rocky Mountain night air and hop on board as we leave Rico Colorado and cross Chicken Creek and chug onto Durango. All aboooard!

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Anonymous Guest 19 May 2015

Beautiful work that captures the essence of America's railroad history! FYI: Rico, CO was on the Rio Grande Southern Railroad. Rico was the division point for the short narrow gauge line that connected Ridgway to Durango forming the western portion of Colorado's famous "Narrow Gauge Circle". Rico had an engine overhaul facility that was just to the left of where locomotive #15 is sitting. The Pro Patria Mill dominated the north end of the train yard and can be seen behind the Victorian style RGS Depot and water tank in your painting. The Rio Grande Southern Railroad was completed in 1892 and operated up until 1952. The water tank in your painting has been preserved and still stands at the bottom of North Picker Street, it is the only remaining railroad structure in Rico.

Lili 20 Feb 2012

Great painting, full of little details and beautiful colors, it's really amazing.:)

Artist Reply: Thanks Lili. This is the second version of the same work. The first painting the sizing on the paper had deteriorated and I wasn't happy with the lack of clarity on the first version. This Rico Colorado Station is a favorite of model railroaders and was a lot of fun to reasearch.