The D&RGW Authority For Expenditures (AFE) stated that the coal trestle was worn out and needed to be replaced in both locations. The D&RGW standard gauge steam was being rapidly replaced by diesels and had been replaced in Utah earlier due to smoke restrictions in Salt Lake City. The D&RGW had a lot of useful steam locomotive service machinery available from the Utah lines. The pipe traffic to Farmington was increasing and the D&RGW saw a continuing need to service steam locomotives. The coal tipples at Chama and Durango were still serviceable or they likely would have been replaced with Red Devils also. The coal came from Monero.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/08/2018 05:20PM by Jerry474.