45 years ago today, the Denver & Rio Grande Western delivered the first batch of locomotives and rolling stock to the newly created Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. The equipment was moved from Alamosa to Antonito with GP7 5104.
Shortly after 5104 shoved the consist out past the wye (onto the new C&T mainline), locomotive 483 was fired up by retired Rio Grande Engineer Ben Greathouse.
What came to be called "The Longest Night" was over. Life returned to the narrow gauge.
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45 Years Ago Today
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45 Years Ago Today
by Jason Rose » Tue Sep 01, 2015 2:48 pm
Jason Rose
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Spring, Texas - MP 209.7 - UP Palestine Sub
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing"
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance" - Wendell Phillips
"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid." - Sgt Stryker USMC
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Ferroequinearcheologist-in-Training
RioGrandeExplorations.net
Spring, Texas - MP 209.7 - UP Palestine Sub
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing"
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance" - Wendell Phillips
"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid." - Sgt Stryker USMC
“Life is too short to deal with other people’s drama.” – Sgt Jason Rose USMC
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Re: 45 Years Ago Today
by John Hamman » Wed Sep 02, 2015 6:36 pm
Jason Rose wrote:45 years ago today, the Denver & Rio Grande Western delivered the first batch of locomotives and rolling stock to the newly created Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. The equipment was moved from Alamosa to Antonito with GP7 5104.
Shortly after 5104 shoved the consist out past the wye (onto the new C&T mainline), locomotive 483 was fired up by retired Rio Grande Engineer Ben Greathouse.
What came to be called "The Longest Night" was over. Life returned to the narrow gauge.
Jason,
So am I correct to assume that they brought down the 483 brought down from Alamosa with the 5401 at the time as well?
Also, did they use an idler car to couple the jeep to the narrow guage cars?
John
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Re: 45 Years Ago Today
by Jason Rose » Wed Sep 02, 2015 9:03 pm
Yes, John. That's correct.
5104 was in the lead followed by an idler, 2 drop-bottom gons of ballast and then 483 followed by about 40 cars and a few locomotives. 5401 shoved the whole train out the end of the Antonito wye, gons first. The order of cars and locomotives had been carefully coordinated, but I forget all the reasons. The gons were up front to deal with a soft spot.
5104 was in the lead followed by an idler, 2 drop-bottom gons of ballast and then 483 followed by about 40 cars and a few locomotives. 5401 shoved the whole train out the end of the Antonito wye, gons first. The order of cars and locomotives had been carefully coordinated, but I forget all the reasons. The gons were up front to deal with a soft spot.
Jason Rose
<><
Ferroequinearcheologist-in-Training
RioGrandeExplorations.net
Spring, Texas - MP 209.7 - UP Palestine Sub
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing"
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance" - Wendell Phillips
"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid." - Sgt Stryker USMC
“Life is too short to deal with other people’s drama.” – Sgt Jason Rose USMC
<><
Ferroequinearcheologist-in-Training
RioGrandeExplorations.net
Spring, Texas - MP 209.7 - UP Palestine Sub
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing"
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance" - Wendell Phillips
"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid." - Sgt Stryker USMC
“Life is too short to deal with other people’s drama.” – Sgt Jason Rose USMC
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Jason Rose - Moderator
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- Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:09 pm
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Re: 45 Years Ago Today
by John Hamman » Fri Sep 04, 2015 7:14 am
That would have been something to see - Thanks!
John
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