#12 Debut on the Georgetown Loop *LINK*

I was one of the fortunate few to be in Silverplume today for the Debut of the #12. She rolled out of the shop with the sights and sounds one equates with a 1920’s steam locomotive. Like Jay, if I didn’t feel the excitement, check my pulse.
She was coupled up to the gold car, a converted box car, and began her first trip down the hill. We rode only as far as the Lebanon Mine as that is all the farther the contracted track crew has had the opportunity to re-gauge the line. She took the 30 degree curves with no problem at all.
On the return trip, sounding square, she barked her way up the hill whistle echoing in the valley.
Making three trips in all yesterday, the final move up the hill was made pulling #21, the 44 ton Loop diesel up the hill. Starting on the grade below the mine, sanders would have been helpful (no sand in the domes yet) so she slipped a few times before easily pulling the dead weight up the hill. By then it was nearly 10 PM, the sights and sounds in the cold mountain air were beyond description.
Enjoy the few photos below. I am sorry to not have any pictures of the two locomotives coupled together but it was late and dark and having been asked to be a conductor for the first time, I was a little busy.
See the Link below to the Narrow Gauge Dead Goat Saloon for a few pictures..
Dan