484 running from Antonito to Alamosa for the last time, 8-29-68
| January 07, 2022 09:53PM |
484 has operated between Antonito and Chama many times since Rio Grande freight service ended, but on August 29, 1968, 484 made a last run from Antonito to Alamosa on the 3-rail racetrack. On that day 484 ran light engine from Cumbres to Antonito and waited briefly until 498 pulled in with the final eastbound revenue freight.
My dad and I were chasing in my brother's tan VW (I am talking to fireman Gayle Cunningham, my dad is the one wearing the tan jacket), photo by Russ Sperry
484 left Antonito first, in a cloud of black smoke.
My dad and I watched 498 depart Antonito, then set off in pursuit of 484. With 484 having a 10-15 minute head start and moving along at 30 mph, we didn't catch up until La Jara,14 miles from Antonito. Since I took 8 mm movies on the 484 chase, the following are low resolution movie frames - not great, but still historic in that this was the last time ever. Here 484 is coming into La Jara and passing the La Jara depot.
My dad and I were chasing in my brother's tan VW (I am talking to fireman Gayle Cunningham, my dad is the one wearing the tan jacket), photo by Russ Sperry
484 left Antonito first, in a cloud of black smoke.
My dad and I watched 498 depart Antonito, then set off in pursuit of 484. With 484 having a 10-15 minute head start and moving along at 30 mph, we didn't catch up until La Jara,14 miles from Antonito. Since I took 8 mm movies on the 484 chase, the following are low resolution movie frames - not great, but still historic in that this was the last time ever. Here 484 is coming into La Jara and passing the La Jara depot.
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.