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In Memoriam

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Earl Knoob

September 26, 2001 03:29PM

Today marks the 43rd anniversary of the accident involving 483 which killed fireman Paul Mayer. 483 was leading 494 westbound down Bocea Hill into Durango when 483 derailed on a curve where the track swings close to US 160. 494 pushed 483 off the left side of the fill. 483 landed on its left side trapping Mayer in the cab. 483's engineer, Bill Holt escaped without injury as did the crew of 494.
This accident caused the ruling prohibiting doubleheading downgrade to come into effect. After this, westbound trains would leave Chama with one locomotive, get its helper at Gato, doublehead to the top of Florida (Bocea) Hill at MP 443. The helper would run light to Durango, and the train would continue into town with one locomotive.
A moment of silence please...........

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In Memoriam	Earl Knoob	September 26, 2001 03:29PM

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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter

The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.