Re: San Juan Questions

"where did this story about Bill Holt running the San Juan when it was hit by the snowslide get started? Documents show that Dan Holly and Jim Stephens were the engineers."

Information from train sheet

February 11, 1948

Chama

No. 216 with engines 482 and 473
Conductor Morgan
Engine 482 Holly
Engine 473 Stephens

Depart Chama 4:15 PM with 5 cars
Notation: “At 646 PM fireman Siseman called from telephone east end Mud Tunnel says 216 went into slide 1 mile east of Mud Tunnel (MP 312 ½) Both engines 482 & 473 on No. 216 and mail & baggage car stayed on track, coaches 319 & 327 and parlor car “Durango” went off of track and embankment. Can’t find out if any one hurt or killed yet. 7:05 PM conductor Morgan No. 216 called from 311, says 2 day coaches over embankment about 300 feet, parlor car over about 1 car length. (This section difficult to read, believe it reads: Broken hand, sore ribs (referring to himself) clerk probably hurt some) 2 passengers parlor car, 8 passengers & 1 little baby in day coaches.”

Hospital train out of Alamosa with engine 485
Conductor Andriko
Engineer Hall
Alamosa 55 minutes get coaches, nurses and load material
Depart Alamosa 8:55 PM
Antontio 10 minutes water, load section men and tools
Arrive MP 312 ½ 11:50 PM Conductor Morgan and brakeman relieved by conductor Andriko and brakeman
MP 312 ½ train No., 216 depart 1:00 AM Conductor Morgan and brakeman deadhead to Alamosa
Sublette 1:30 AM
Antonito mail & express
Romeo mail
La Jara mail & express
Arrive Alamosa 3:55 AM

Engine 485 returns to Alamosa light, behind No. 216, arrive Alamosa 5:50 AM

February 12 work train ran out of Alamosa to clean snow slide, return to Alamosa

February 13 and February 14, both days, work train, tool cars, out of Alamosa re-rail cars.

Jimmy