We made a special trip from Walsenburg to Alamosa bringing our new steam locomotives over La Veta Pass today.

In Walsenburg..


The locomotives were loaded on special heavy duty 8-axle flats, while the 2 tenders rode on a single standard ITTX flat...


Both locomotives and tenders were over tonnage for 459 to pull up the 3% grade to Fir, so the flat carrying #20 was set out at La Veta to be picked up by tonight's regular train.


The only real close clearance was through the western portal of the upper tunnel. This steel portal got within 6 inches of the cab sides of #18. The overhead clearance was fine.


Around the 16 degree curve at MP 205...


Pause for inspection and setting retainers ar Fir...


Beautiful view of Mt. Blanca...


One final inspection stop at the bottom of the hill at Sierra.


Home at last...


#20 should be in Alamosa tomorrow morning. Unloading is scheduled for Tuesday Feb 5.