Just to be clear:
483 and 484 were never in Alamosa during 1971, the 3rd rail was gone.
The Railroad Act permitting purchase of what became C&TS was passed by legislatures in 1969. The line was rescued from the torch on July 16, 1970 with checks for $547,120.00.
The first delivery of equipment from D&RGW to C&TS was September 1, 1970. The first C&TS train reached Cumbres Saturday, September 5, and it snowed overnight. Chama was reached late in the afternoon of September 6. Successive deliveries from Rio Grande were made all month and C&TS equipment movements with 483 continued on the weekends thanks to volunteer railroaders. Immediately after the last delivery of equipment, September 18, 1970, D&RGW section crews removed the 3rd rail to Alamosa.
The first excursion was October 4, 1970, the "Governor's Special," missing one governor.
Scenic Railways from California got the first operating contract during May 1971. 1971 was the first operation season beginning with a Railroad Club of New Mexico excursion on June 6, which was actually the first formal C&TS passenger train.