Re: 491 at La Jara

IIRC the Rio Grande brought the C&TS equipment down in three installments. Since the 483 was set to be used it was first in line on the first string.
In the audio the ``Rattle and the Roar'' engineer Ben Greathouse complained that the Grande would not allow anyone to ride on the 483 on the trip to get the fire started. Evidentally a draft could be maintained by using the compression of the cylinders. Those actually there could fill in the details.
The 1970 runs were that last dual-gauge operations on the Rio Grande. Standard gauge Rio Grande steam ended in 1956 with Greathouse and fireman Newt Stephens.
The last narrow gauge steam action on the Rio Grande was in 1980 with Carl Jack and Perry Garcia on the 476.