Re: activity on Rio Grande n.g. in sept./oct. 1968

473 ran to Alamosa, light, for an overhaul just after the regular Silverton run ended. It was the last engine through the shops before destruction.

483 was painted up at Durango for "The Good Guys and Bad Guys" and used between Chama and Toltec in late September-early October. 483 returned to Durango in the movie paint and killed. Later 483 was used on the NPS special in November. There was no more use of 483 out of Alamosa, despite rumors, until the states purchased the line.

478 was used in filming "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" up on the Florida mesa during the last weeks of September 1968. These runs were the last time a K-28 pulled 4 Pullman green coaches into Durango from the east. Andy Payne's book "Grande Gold" has photos.

The absolute last run was when freshly shopped 473 ran Alamosa-Durango with a dead 481 and a short train December 5th. Photos are rare but Andy Payne may have gotten some.

497 was kept steamed up until the last week of December 1968, probably as protection for 473's return, but was not used again. See page 81 in "Grande Gold." According to Ed Kettle in the Durango roundhouse, there were rumors of some use on the Farmington run but did not happen. 497's fire was dropped December 31st and that was the end.



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/2018 10:50AM by Eddy Sand.