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Mears Junction, CO Mears Junction is located 11 miles southwest of Salida on the main line over Marshall Pass. Here the railroad branches between the Marshall Pass Route and the route over Poncha Pass and the San Luis valley. Some say the name Mears Junction honors Otto Mears who originally had a toll road along the route. However others contribute the name to Dave Mears who traveled with Lt. Marshall across the pass in 1873. You can easily get to Mears Junction today. It is located near the main Poncha Pass highway on the forest road that continues over Marshall Pass. To facilitate a wye track arrangement in the narrow valley the track crosses over itself using a wooden trestle. This is one of the oddest track shapes on the railroad. Nevertheless, the tracks served their purpose and this was an important helper engine and switching point.
At one time a water tank and depot provided service at the Junction. The water tank was moved to a museum display in Gunnison.
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