Re: K-28 Diamond Stacks

473 had a diamond stack briefly in 1950 and '51 when it was painted in the "Bumblebee" scheme. After its derailment in Animas Canyon in 1951, it was repainted into standard colors and "lost" its diamond stack. (I wonder whether that was the stack put on 476 later, because they look remarkably similar.) The 476 and 478 got their diamond stacks in 1957 (if memory serves). If you look at them, the stack on 476 is different than the ones put on 473 and 478. 473--again from memory--I believe got its diamond stack in 1962 or '63. All 3--with rare exceptions--all sported their diamond stacks until Bradshaw bought the line in 1981--when they were quickly removed. I still have some slides somewhere of the 473 in 1981--switching cars in Durango without the diamond stack, but not yet having lost its Rio Grande paint job.

Occasionally, for one reason or another, the diamond stack might be removed temporarily. One instance I remember seeing in photos (by Ernie Robart) was when 473 was run light to Alamosa for overhaul in 1968 (it was supposedly too "sick" to pull a train). For whatever reason, it did not have its diamond stack that trip.

I hope that helps--I will try to confirm the dates better after I dig through some files and photos.