Flanger/Spreader trains 1965-1966

Popeye's posting of Roger's spreader- wing-opening video was amazing. In my chases of flanger/spreader trains I never managed to get far enough into snow country to see the wings opening. In the early winter 1965/1966 the Rio Grande was still working to keep freight moving over Cumbres, resulting in a number of snow clearing operations. My first encounter was just lucky. My brother invited me to go skiing at Breckenridge during Christmas break 1965, and I drove from Las Cruces to Alamosa on December 19. In Alamosa I found 487 and 493 under steam and ready to go out on a flanger /spreader run to Chama the next morning. I only had Kodacolor film in my camera, so these photos are not to be confused with JBWX's super 1961 photos, but here goes:


487 and 493 leaving Alamosa on December 20, 1965 and heading south
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