Re: Caboose 0505 in Durango?

Greg, the Durango & Silverton acquired Flanger OF from Chama in 1981. OF and OL have wings that open up unlike the other 9 flangers. The wings had to be opened manually by the crew and retracted each time they passed a switch stand or any close clearance. The task was difficult and dangerous, so the D&S installed air cylinders taken from the power reverses on K28 478. The wings could not be opened and closed from the locomotive cab so the controls were installed in Caboose 0505. 0505 was last used with the flanger in 2012. 0505 needs a new frame, so the flanger controls were moved to 0540. The two cars are linked by air hoses. 0540 was first used with the flanger in December 2015. It was planned to use it the winter of 2016 but there was not enough snow to require its use. 0540 and OF were used to plow and flange deep snow on January 24, 2017 behind K-28 473.

I have written two articles on D&S and C&TS flanger operations and history of D&RGW flanger in the Rio Grande Modeling & Historical Society's Prospector magazine, both back issues are still available....[www.rgmhs.org]

Flanger OF in the D&S Car Shop December 2015.


Caboose 0505 with Flanger OF in February 2012.


Flanger OF with both wings opened. February 2012


Caboose 0t540 with Flanger OF December 2015.


Caboose 0540 with Flanger OF January 24, 2017.




Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/08/2018 08:38PM by Jerry474.