Note: this posting is a trial to figure out how to do a proper photo report. The forum is doing strange things like expanding the first photo. Will re-do after consulting with Russo
A recent discussion item concerned double heading Alamosa to Antonito and placing the helper mid-train for the climb to Cumbres. It was always a fun thing to watch. One such opportunity
occurred on October 2, 1967 with 498 and 493 leading a long train of gas pipe and drill mud headed to Farmington.
Here 498 and 493 are rolling thru La Jara. Ken Faucette is at the throttle of 498
In Antonito the crew drops the rear section of the train on the main line just past the wye and the front section pulls forward past the "End of Standard Gauge" sign
The engines then shove the front section to the western side track and come forward
The two engines then back down the center siding into Antonito for lunch at the Dutch Mill Café and to service the engines with coal. Water had been taken at La Jara due to the leaking Antonito tank
Returning from Antonito the 498 backed on to the rear section of the train and 493 headed to pick up the front section
Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 12/29/2018 10:57PM by Olaf Rasmussen.