South Park Rail Society / Como Roundhouse, Colorado

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Como, Colorado · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Historic rail siteTrain ridesOpen only on posted volunteer and open house days

The South Park Rail Society is restoring the Como Roundhouse, built of stone in 1881 for the narrow gauge Denver, South Park & Pacific, along with its depot, hotel and water tower, to create a living railroad museum in the heart of South Park.

  • Stone roundhouse built in 1881
  • Depot dating to 1879
  • Klondike Kate #4, a 1912 Baldwin
  • Open on volunteer and open house days
  • Boreas Pass Railroad Day each August
  • Volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit

South Park Rail Society / Como Roundhouse at a glance

Hours
Open only on posted volunteer and open house days, typically Saturdays 9 am to 3:30 pm in season
Admission
Not posted for open house days; check the Society's website
Train rides
Train, handcar and speeder rides on Boreas Pass Railroad Day (train $5, speeder $3 in 2026)
Seasonal events
Boreas Pass Railroad Day, Como Roundhouse Open House & Work Days
Plan for
About 2 hours on an open house day
Best for
Narrow gauge fans, volunteers and families on Railroad Day
Best ages
Ages 4 and up
Parking
Free parking on Railroad Day, with accessible parking near the entrance
Accessibility
Accessible parking near the entrance on Railroad Day; ask about access inside the roundhouse

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to South Park Rail Society / Como Roundhouse? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Como.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Bringing a South Park railroad town back to life

Como grew up around the railroad. The 3-foot narrow gauge Denver, South Park & Pacific reached town in June 1879, and the depot went up that same year. In 1881 the railroad built the Como Roundhouse, and the stonework is believed to be the work of Italian stonemasons who had settled in the area. The original stone section still stands, and its walls and roof received preservation work in the 1980s. Later the line became part of the Colorado & Southern.

The South Park Rail Society, a Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has taken on the whole complex. Its stated mission is to build an interactive railway museum by preserving and restoring the DSP&P and Colorado & Southern narrow gauge facilities and rolling stock in Como, giving the public a real look at the town's railroad days. The Society purchased the roundhouse, and its Como Project aims to restore the roundhouse, depot, hotel and water tower together, along with the locomotive and cars it has acquired.

The work is done by volunteers on scheduled work days. In late summer 2026 alone, crews milled new staves for the water tower, worked on the engine and extended the track they call the Gunnison Main, and one August Saturday drew 26 volunteers. In 2024 the Society earned a Gold Seal of Transparency from Guidestar.

Roundhouse stalls, a rail yard and a steam engine from the Yukon

On open house days the campus at 480 County Road 33 opens for tours of the historic roundhouse, the rail yard, the depot and the railroad equipment, with merchandise for sale. Because these are active work days, you will often see volunteers milling wood, working on track or tending the locomotive while you look around.

The star of the collection is Klondike Kate #4, a steam locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1912 that worked in Canada's Yukon Territory before it was saved from scrapping. The Society says she is bringing steam back to Como for the first time in a century. On Boreas Pass Railroad Day, the yard comes alive with train rides, handcar rides and speeder rides, plus a brass concert inside the roundhouse.

Don’t miss

  1. The 1881 stone roundhouseBelieved to have been built by Italian stonemasons, its original stone section is the heart of the Como complex.
  2. Klondike Kate #4A 1912 Baldwin steam locomotive rescued from the scrapper after service in the Yukon, now running again in Como.
  3. The Como depotBuilt in 1879, the year the Denver, South Park & Pacific arrived, and part of the Society's restoration plan.
  4. The water towerVolunteers are milling new wooden staves to restore this classic piece of a steam era railyard.
  5. Speeder and handcar ridesOffered on Boreas Pass Railroad Day, these small rides are a favorite with kids.

Railroad Day rides and a roundhouse full of real work

The best day for kids is Boreas Pass Railroad Day in August, when the Society runs train rides ($5 on the hour starting at 9:30 am in 2026), speeder rides ($3) and handcar rides, with a food truck and roundhouse, rail yard and depot tours. Seeing a steam locomotive up close and watching volunteers at work is the draw on regular open house days.

This is an active restoration site at high elevation in South Park, so keep little ones close around tools and equipment, and bring layers and sun protection. Free parking is offered on Railroad Day, with accessible parking near the entrance.

Plan your visit: tips for South Park Rail Society / Como Roundhouse

  • Check the events calendar first: the campus is closed except on posted volunteer and open house days.
  • Plan around Boreas Pass Railroad Day in August for rides and a concert in the roundhouse.
  • Sign up online if you want to join a work day as a volunteer.
  • The mailing address is in Longmont; drive to 480 County Road 33 in Como for the site.

Volunteers, members and donated tools

Everything at Como is done by volunteers working on scheduled work days, supported by members, donors and partners. You can help by joining as a member, signing up for a work day, giving to keep Klondike Kate running, or donating tools: the Society's wish list runs from hand tools and power tools to a rail saw, a forklift and a backhoe.

More Colorado rail stops to pair with Como

The Breckenridge High Line Railroad Park sits on the far side of Boreas Pass, the same old DSP&P route over the mountains. The Georgetown Loop Railroad and the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden make good additions to a narrow gauge weekend. For the full list, see every train museum in Colorado.

Every train museum in Colorado

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor view from inside a dark tunnel looking out at a sunny beach and cliffs
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

I keep imagining the inside of that old stone roundhouse in Como: dim stalls, cool air, and then the big doorway full of mountain sunshine. It feels like the tunnel in our book, when the train goes dark and then bursts into a big bright light and everyone cheers. Rally is snuggled between Mom and Dad for that part. If your kids like that moment, there is a tunnel page among our free coloring pages.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at South Park Rail Society / Como Roundhouse?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Como Roundhouse and the South Park Rail Society: 20 questions

What is the South Park Rail Society?

The South Park Rail Society is a Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to build an interactive railway museum in Como. It is preserving and restoring the historic Denver, South Park & Pacific and Colorado & Southern narrow gauge railroad facilities and rolling stock there, centered on the Como Roundhouse, depot, hotel and water tower.

Where is the Como Roundhouse?

The Como Roundhouse is at 480 County Road 33, Como, Colorado 80432, in the South Park region. The South Park Rail Society's mailing address is 2065 Sicily Circle, Longmont, CO 80503, but that is not where the roundhouse is, so put the Como address in your GPS when you drive out.

When is the Como Roundhouse open to visitors?

The Como campus is open only on scheduled volunteer and open house days. In 2026 those ran on Saturdays (and some Fridays) from 9 am to 3:30 pm through the summer and into September. Check the events calendar on southparkrailsociety.org for the current schedule before you drive to Como.

How much does it cost to visit the Como Roundhouse?

The Society does not post an admission price for open house days. On Boreas Pass Railroad Day in 2026, train rides were $5 and speeder rides $3. Merchandise is sold on open house days, and donations support the restoration. Email info@southparkrailsociety.org if you want to confirm costs before your visit.

When was the Como Roundhouse built?

The Como Roundhouse was built in 1881 for the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad, two years after the narrow gauge line reached Como in June 1879. It is believed to have been built by Italian stonemasons who had settled nearby. The original stone section still stands, and its walls and roof were preserved in the 1980s.

Is the Como Roundhouse the oldest roundhouse in the United States?

Rail directories describe it as the oldest operating railroad roundhouse in the United States. Built of stone in 1881 for the Denver, South Park & Pacific, it remains the centerpiece of a railroad complex the South Park Rail Society is restoring, and it is once again home to a working steam locomotive.

Who owns the Como Roundhouse?

The historic Como Roundhouse is owned by the South Park Rail Society, the nonprofit that purchased the former Denver, South Park & Pacific roundhouse. The Society says its ownership is meant to secure the building's long-term preservation so the public can appreciate an operating narrow gauge heritage site.

What is Klondike Kate #4?

Klondike Kate #4 is the Society's restored steam locomotive. She was built in 1912 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works and worked in Canada's Yukon Territory before being saved from the scrapper's torch. The Society says she is bringing steam back to Como for the first time in a century, funded by donations.

What is Boreas Pass Railroad Day?

Boreas Pass Railroad Day is the Society's big annual celebration at the Como Roundhouse, held in August (August 15 in 2026). It includes roundhouse, rail yard and depot tours, train rides, handcar rides, speeder rides, a food truck, a brass concert in the roundhouse, a merchandise store and handmade art for sale.

Can you ride a train at the Como Roundhouse?

Yes, on special days. During Boreas Pass Railroad Day in 2026, train rides ran on the hour starting at 9:30 am for $5, with speeder rides for $3 and handcar rides as well. Regular open house days focus on tours and restoration work, so check the events calendar to see whether rides are planned.

What can you see on a Como Roundhouse open house day?

Open house days include tours of the historic roundhouse and the railroad equipment, and merchandise is available. Because they double as active work days, you can watch volunteers restoring the water tower, laying track and working on locomotives. The depot and rail yard are part of the campus too.

Is the Como Roundhouse good for kids?

It is best for kids on Boreas Pass Railroad Day, when there are train, handcar and speeder rides and a food truck. On ordinary open house days, older kids who like big machines will enjoy seeing a steam engine and watching restoration work. It is an active work site, so keep young children close.

Is the Como Roundhouse wheelchair accessible?

For Boreas Pass Railroad Day, the Society offered free parking with handicap parking near the entrance. It does not post detailed access information for the roundhouse, depot or rail yard, which are historic buildings and outdoor grounds. Email info@southparkrailsociety.org before your visit to ask about the route you plan to take.

How can I volunteer with the South Park Rail Society?

Sign up for a work day on the Society's events page. Work days run from 9 am to 3:30 pm on scheduled dates, and tasks range from milling water tower staves and track work to engine repair. One August 2026 work day drew 26 volunteers, so you will have plenty of company.

How do I become a member of the South Park Rail Society?

The Society invites people to join as members to help preserve the railroading history of Como, and its website has a Join Us link on the mission page. Members, donors and partners make the Como Project possible. Email info@southparkrailsociety.org with membership questions.

Can I donate tools or equipment to the South Park Rail Society?

Yes. The Society says tool and equipment donations are some of its most important. Its wish list includes woodworking and power tools, pipe benders and threaders, a rail drill and rail saw, wrenches and hand tools, work benches, lifting equipment, a milling machine, a forklift and a backhoe. Send a message through the website to offer something.

What is the Como Project?

The Como Project is the Society's plan to restore the entire Como railroad complex: the roundhouse, depot, hotel and water tower built in the 19th century by the Denver, South Park & Pacific, along with the locomotive and rolling stock it has acquired. The goal is a living museum of Como's railroad town era.

Is the South Park Rail Society a trustworthy charity?

The South Park Rail Society is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and in 2024 it received a Gold Seal of Transparency from Guidestar. Its nonprofit profile is linked from its website. Donations support the restoration work and keeping Klondike Kate #4 running.

What else is there to do near Como, Colorado?

The Society suggests the South Park City Museum in Fairplay, hiking at Kenosha Pass, Limber Grove Trail or Mount Sherman, and a trip up Boreas Pass to see the restored Denver, South Park & Pacific section house. Breckenridge is just over the mountains, and Buena Vista offers rafting and hot springs.

What train museums are near the Como Roundhouse?

The Breckenridge High Line Railroad Park is on the other side of Boreas Pass, along the old South Park line. The Georgetown Loop Railroad and the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden are good additions to a Colorado rail trip, and the Society itself points rail fans toward the Pikes Peak Cog Railway.

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Kelsey Cecil
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