Another case of definitions. I can make a case for 1890, 1912, 1927 or 1949 quite easily:
1890: The original advertised Narrow Gauge Circle (Pueblo to Alamosa via La Veta, thence to Silverton via Durango, then SRR & stage to Ouray, back to Pueblo via Marshall Pass & Royal Gorge) was broken by the removal of the middle rail between Minnequa & Walsenberg. Replaced later in the year by the 2nd Narrow Gauge Circle, from Salida via Poncha Pass to Alamosa, rest the same. (Note: this route modified 1892 with alternate routing now available via the RGS)
1912: Either 1911 or 1912 seems to be the last year the SRR had passenger service (CRA #24) I'm not sure about the connecting stage service but SRR gone would break the Durango-Silverton-Ouray route.
1927: Trains 317/318 removed from service Salida - Alamosa. So it is now impossible to ride any version of the 2nd circle in its entirety. Since the whole thing was a promotion to get tourists to ride, well now they can't.[1]
1949: The physical end of the 2nd circle, trackage abandoned and removed between Sapinero & Cedar Creek.
So, there are 4 dates for ya, with a ghost of a 5th below. I suppose a 6th would be whenever the D&RG(W?) quit listing the trip in promotional materials, I know it was still in the public timetable in 1911 and was gone by 1936, somebody want to narrow that down? (No pun intended)
Anybody else wanna play?
Hank
[1] Note that at this point it is still possible to ride the original circle but with the RGS substituted for the Silverton link, standard gauge service on the East end, and the Pueblo - Alamosa section only available at night. This ghost of the Circle will disappear in 1936 with the end of all passenger service Montrose-Ouray in June.
