Re: Why the K-28s? U.S. Army & The White Pass in WW II

Casey:

The D&RGW did object to taking of the K28s...read the following newspaper item.

October 12, 1942
RIO GRANDE EQUIPMENT TO BE SHIPPED TO ALASKA SHORTLY
The narrow gauge railroad equipment recently requisitioned from the Alamosa Division of the Rio Grande railroad by the U.S. Army will soon be shipped from Alamosa and Salida for use in Alaska it was learned here today.
According to Superintendent C.B. Carpenter, the Army has requisitioned seven narrow gauge engine, one ditcher and one snow plow. The Alamosa-Durango district is to furnish five of the seven locomotives, the 470, 471, 472, 475, and 477, the ditcher OW. The Salida District, part of the Alamosa Division is to furnish the government with engines 474 and 479 and the Rotary ON.
After these locomotives have been delivered to the government, the Alamosa Division will have three of this type left, the 473, 476, and 478, which are used in passenger service between Alamosa and Durango. The Division will have three narrow gauge rotaries, one in Gunnison, one in Alamosa, and one in Chama. The narrow gauge system of the railroad will also have about 30 other narrow gauge locomotives left.
Efforts to forestall the requisitioning of the seven K-28 class engines until after the heavy movement of stock this fall, were futile, and the work of moving the heavy shipment of cattle, sheep, hogs, etc. this year in the future will have to be handled without the help of the K-28 class engines.