Re: Durango

Chris Walker Wrote:
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> drgwk37 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> >
> > Could be the hostler is moving 473 first and
> then
> > will take those K-37's around the loop to the
> > ready track.
> >
> > William
> > aka drgwk37
>
>
> I thought that in D&RGW days there was only a Loop
> for turning the San Juan and that's not the same
> loop that is there today. Surely the put&take
> would have just used the Turntable.


Chris

The loop in the D&RGW days was not only used for turning the San Juan but also locomotives. The 65' TT in Durango was not very easy to use especially with the big K's. One of the main reasons the D&RGW moved the K-36's south in 1933 was because of the issues they had turning them on the Marshall Pass TT which was a 67' TT so they moved them down to Alamosa. Even the D&S has a fun time getting their K-36's turned on the TT today. It was easier to turn two loco's on the loop vs. the TT and you could turn more than one at a time. In Chama they'd turn 3 engines on the wye at the same time. The video that Greg mentioned which is awesome BTW does show both the loop and the TT being used. On the TT scene you can see them getting the 492 balanced on the TT prior to turning it. The current loop in Durango was installed in 1968 and the old one removed to make room for the new US 550 realignment.

William
aka drgwk37