Re: Last revenue freight August 1968

Hi, Tom -

I found out through sheer luck.

IIRC, during the last few years the D&RGW ran trains once a week or so, then about
once every two weeks, then maybe once a month - usually departing from Alamosa
and Durango to Chama on a Thursday and on from Chama to Alamosa and Durango
the next day and a round trip from Durango to Farmington and return on Saturday.

I was in Denver visiting friends for a few days in late August, 1968, and on the outside chance that there MIGHT be trains on the 29th and 30th, called the dispatcher on Tuesday the 27th and asked if there would be any action on the narrow gauge later that week:

"Yep.   Tomorrow.   Better git yer ass down there 'cause it's the last one."   CLICK.

I arranged for my friends - who were also railfans - to meet me in Chama on Wednesday evening, hopped in the car and headed for Alamosa. After spending the night huddled in my tiny TR-4 during a HEAVY thunderstorm, I awoke to a beautiful sunrise. The next two days were VERY lucky, as nearly every shot on my only two rolls of color film turned out OK - by far my lifetime highest average. About 20 of these are on the "Help Save #483" screensaver that Roger Hogan has been producing.

- Russ









Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/2015 12:44PM by Russo Loco.