NNG - SLRG and the British Invasion......

...no the Beatles did not play at Fir - that was last month.

David Rodgers brought a group of 55 Brits and a few Yankee sympathizers for a charter freight run to La Veta 9/29.


18 smokes it up for the "pitcher fans" east of Alamosa


climbing the hill at MP 211.5 This trip was essentially a repeat of the Train Unlimited charter the week before. In fact, the same consist was used. 2 hoppers were left behind to reduce tonnage.


..why is this man smiling?.....Wipe the foam off your mouth, Chris... Chris Zarht keeps #18 hot headed up the 3% back to Fir.


As mentioned before, we cut the consist by 2 cars. We did this for a couple of reasons: 1. The Brits don't shoot much video and and the shorter train is just fine with them. 2. 18 only has a 1900 gallon fuel tank. On a normal day we go through 1100 gallons. With the heavier train and several starts on the hill last week we had 290 gallons at the top of the hill on the way back, with 35 miles to go! It is mostly downhill, but the fire's got to keep burning. I didn't check the fuel when we got in, but it had to be less than 50 gallons left. Cutting the consist allowed us to cruise into Alamosa with 425 gallons to spare. Compare this Johnson Bar shot with the pic from last week's train. We're about 6 notches higher and making 11 mph instead of 9.


around the sharp curve at MP 203. this curve is the hardest pull on the hill - 2.88% on a 14 degree curve.


lots o' pretty color this year....


8577 and 459 bring the regular passenger - with 4 domes around us at Fir


a gang of maddog Brits and thier Yankee cohorts at Fir...


couldn't resist this perfecty lit shot at Fir


..last shot of the day at Sierra.