McFarland to discuss railroad dining Feb. 12

Ever wondered what people did for food on the Colorado Midland trains? Up through World War I, when the Colorado City-based railroad traversed the Continental Divide to and from Grand Junction - a 22-hour ride - trains either stopped at eating houses or used dining cars. Local historian Mel McFarland, will talk about those days Friday, Feb. 12 at the Old Colorado City History Center, 1 S. 24th St. Carriage as well as rail travelers stopped at this eating house in Cascade in the early days of the Colorado Midland. Later on, the railroad introduced dining cars to shorten the trip from Colorado City to Grand Junction. Historian Mel McFarland will talk about eating on the Midland at the History Center Feb. 12. Westside Pioneer photo        Sponsored by the Old Colorado City Historical Society (OCCHS), the illustrated program will begin at 11 a.m. The title is “The Colorado Midland: Dining Across the Line.”        There is no charge, but donations are welcome.        McFarland, who grew up on the Westside, has written five books on railroading (two about the Midland) and has a regular history column in several local weekly papers (including the Westside Pioneer).        For more information, call 636-1225. Westside Pioneer/press release