tgbcvr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In July 1963 our family took an extended holiday
> to the USA west coast. My dad was a closet
> railfan, and even at 11 years old I was an ardent
> one. We passed through Colorado both ways, and
> initially hit Alamosa & Chama, with not a wheel
> turning. Stayed in Durango and the next morning
> found that a freight had come in and that it would
> be heading to Farmington. But also we were told
> that the first ever second section of the
> Silverton train would be run. I was given the
> choice of following the freight or ride the
> Silverton. Having a sense of ocassion even at
> that age, I chose the Silverton. Oh to have that
> choice again.
>
> Anyway, this is all from a kid's memory from 56
> years ago. A reporter from the Silverton Standard
> was on the train, and interviewed my dad, but of
> course the copy of the paper we kept is long gone.
> Does anyone out there have a record of what day
> that first ever second section was run?
>
> In the meantime, here's a couple photos from that
> trip:
>
> Cheers,
> Ralph
>
>
> Here's 498 by the roundhouse. I think it may have
> been the engine on the previous night's freight???
> Maybe not.
>
>
> [attachment 57428
> b11DRGW498atDurangoJuly1963KenBeaumont.jpg]
>
>
> Two shots of 473 by the coal tipple. In this day
> and age it's amazing that a kid could wander
> around the yard and not get any flack.
>
> [attachment 57429
> b14DurangoSilverton473bycoaltippleJuly1963KenBeaum
> ont.jpg]
>
> [attachment 57430 Durango1963-.jpg]
>
>
>
> Derelict 464. A hazy memory is that the Silverton
> Northern rail car was in the roundhouse. No pics
> of it tho.
>
> [attachment 57431
> b20DurangoSilverton464DurangoJuly1963R.Beaumont.jp
> g]
>
>
>
> Silverton train, July 1963 - although I can't
> vouch that this was the actual train we rode.
> Have lottsa other photos somewhere taken on the
> train, but there's a million other Silverton train
> shots out there.
>
> [attachment 57432 b17DurangoSilverton473.jpg]
Keep the photos coming, very nice to see. Based on what I see this looks more like 1968. In 1963 the RH lead that 498 is parked on was connected to the yard on the North end...it also appears the balloon loop is in place in that picture which makes me think 1968. Great photos and looking forward to seeing many more!!
William
aka drgwk37
