One of the Best Stories Ever Told

Charlie,

A little more on this event.

Andy Payne would have taken #497 as the second engine. He laid off, as you said. Management wanted to bring an engine crew over from Alamosa on a bus to man the second engine. The BLE said they had to be paid the full deadhead rate, even though it was only a couple hour ride. Management refused, and #498 took as many cars as they thought they could pull. This is the reason #497 and a lot of freight cars were left in Durango at the end of operations.

Additionally, They had planned to take coal at the Monero tipple. To everyone's dismay, all that came out of the chute was some dust and a dead cat. By the time the train finally pulled into Chama, they could hardly keep up enough steam to crawl in, but the dead cat provided exactly enough BTU's to bring her in.

One of the greatest stories ever told. Because #497 was left in Durango, it was eventually restored by the D&S. Otherwise, it probably never would have been, and #482 would still be in Chama.

All because management refused the Union's demand to pay full wages for a bus trip for the last run.

Mike