In Regard to the derailed Rotary being cross wise to the right-of-way, I have not found the exact date that may have happened but I believe it may be about the winter of 1932. In the search of the answer I find some other interesting reports of the Snow problem on Cumbres, which will put us in the mood for winter.
“The Star on the Rails” 12/30/2001
February 6, 1914: Dolores Star: W.W.Dunlap arrived in Dolores Saturday night [Jan 31, 1914] with the finest bunch of Hereford yearling that has been brought to this section lately. Something over 300 head in the lot, and no loss so far although they had a hard journey over Cumbres [Pass], being blocked by snow for 24 hours. Thirteen engines and the rotary were 24 hours clearing the road. Wess says what the D&RG is short in equipment they make up in the class of men who operate; they will tackle anything.
February 13, 1914 Dolores Star: After a week’s work the big Rotary [RGS Rotary #2 fell in bridge 89A at Stoner 2/2/14] was again placed on the rails Sunday [2/8/14] and taken to Rico, and the first through trains on the Rio Grande Southern for a week were run Monday. Since then trains have been running regularly; the freight department being especially busy.
February 05, 1915, Mancos T-T: the trains have been delayed generally this week. Tuesday’s [2/2/15] northbound train did not reach Telluride until Wednesday night. Wednesday’s northbound train went only to Dolores and returned. No train has passed over Cumbres since Tuesday [2/2/15] and none have reached Silverton. One of the severest storms in the history of the country is reported from all the higher altitudes.
The first train to reach Durango over Cumbres Pass got in at a few minutes before Midnight today [2/5/15 at Mancos]
January 21, 1916: Mancos Times-Tribune: The snow storm which began last Friday culminated on Tuesday night [1/18/16] of this week in one of the worst storms this section has witnessed for many months. Almost all night the wind blew a stiff gale out of the southeast accompanied by rain in the lower altitudes and snow higher up. As a result all railroads in every direction were blocked and it was not until yesterday [Thursday] that any kind of service could be established on any of the lines. All lines are expected to be open today save the Silverton branch, which is covered with numerous slides. There will probably be reports of loss of life from slides in the mountains when the facts are known.
February 3, 1916: Montezuma Journal: Train service has been established between Rico and Durango, and in a few days it is thought that Cumbres will be opened. Work on the Telluride end is being pushed, although the opening of the road must be done from the north end, as a bridge out near Rico prevents the snow plow at this end from aiding. We need a road from the south. [SG to ATSF]
[SAME] Both range are well blocked, so that it cannot at this writing even be predicted when we will receive our next mail. Ten days should be the lowest guess. The trains are now running between Durango and Rico going up one day and back the next. Between Durango and telluride the slides are too numerous to mention, besides one bridge knocked out of line. Silverton is marooned for many a day, and hopes are entertained that the Farmington branch will be open in a few days. Cheer up.
February 10, 1916: Montezuma Journal: Cumbres is open and a little mail arrived in Cortz from that source. The line to Telluride is still corked up. The mail up there is to be cent back around by via of Cumbres.
August 8, 1917: Montezuma Journal: The long snow shed about 5 miles below Silverton was burned.
Cumbres: Worst winter on Cumbres since 1884. Began February 6, 1932 to February 19, 1932.
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