We have talked several times on this forum about the Loop, the Central City railroad and the “restoration’ of #111. A lot of you younger folks and new members to this group do not know that the 40, the 44 and the 111 are all of the same family. Here is a brief history of the relationship.

#44 was purchased by Lindsey Ashby in 1968 to operate at his new Colorado Central Railroad in Central City, Colorado. Two years earlier he went to Central America to look at all the narrow gauge equipment available. He purchased # 44 but wanted another locomotive as a back up. The Guatemalan government had issues with recent purchases by Americans, so Lindsey had to use a “broker” to do the deal. The broker stated that the sale of this equipment would soon be over, so he should act now!

Lindsey and the late Don Drawer went back to Central America and purchased two more locomotives….the 40 for Lindsey and the 111 for Don. The 40 was operable but the 111 was not. 40 pulled the train part way. Then a diesel took over.


Once the narrow gauge rails ran out, the whole show was loaded on standard cars to head to the U.S.A. This photo was taken in El Paso.


Don not only purchased the 111, but a caboose and the business car. The last two are at the Pacific Coast Railroad in California. These photos, plus many others, were found in a shoe box at Dons ranch after he passed away. They were found by Sammy King but all taken by Don. Thanks to Sammy for letting me post them.

Jerry



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/2009 03:27PM by jalbers.