January 7, 1951 - not a terrribly significant day in history, but something a little different....
245am - X491-485-495 East departs. Conductor Jabeling. Engineers: 491 Hindelang, 485 Dalla, 495 Johnson, 6 loads, 24 empties, 660 tons. Called at 130am. Brakemen Kingery and Gee. Caboose 0517.
535am - X485 West arrives. Engineer Dalla. Light engine, returning helper from earlier (491 and 495 went to Alamosa). Tied Up 545am.
955am - Extra 473-498 East Arrives from Durango. Conductor Henry, Engineers 473 R.Buchanan, 498 Howe. 10 loads, 58 empties, 1203 tons. Called in Durango at 1030pm 1/6, Tied up 1045am. Brakemen Wilson and Worth. Firemen 473 H. Buchanan, 498 Pearce. Caboose 0587.
Bumblebee painted 473 is getting a lot of use in freight service lately.
1120am - Train 215, engine 484 arrives. Conductor Edmiston. Engineer Nissen. Brakeman Cox. 4 cars.
215 is 10 minutes late (sort of unusual). Perhaps the weather is bad, or it is decided 484 is needed for additional power on a freight train. 484 is traded for recently arrived 473, adding more delay to the already late 215.
1148am - Train 215, Engine 473 departs. (33 minutes late). Conductor Edmiston, Engineer J. Connor. Brakeman Cox. 4 cars.
1215pm - Extra 496 West departs. Conductor Bruce, Engineer Rhodes. 56 loads, 11 empties, 1500 tons. Called at 1000am, Brakemen Murray and Mason, Caboose 0505.
Undoubtedly X496W got a helper engine out of Durango to meet them at Gato for the climb over Florida Mesa.
300pm - Extra 488 West Arrives from Alamosa. Engineer Hall. Light engine. Helper for X492W which is following. Called at 400am in Alamosa, Tied Up 310pm. Fireman Wellington.
325pm - Extra 492 West Arrives from Alamosa. Conductor Clarke, Engineer Stephens, 59 loads, 1 empty, 1416 tons. Called in Alamosa 400am, Tied up 350pm. Brakemen Haynie and Boles, Caboose 0503.
420pm - Train 216, engine 478 Arrives. Conductor Hines, Engineer Dieckman, Brakemen unknown, 4 cars. (15 minutes late)
430pm - Train 216 engine 478 Departs. Conductor Hines, Engineer Nissen, Brakeman unknown, 4 cars. (20 minutes late).
815pm - Extra 498-484 West Departs. Conductor Henry, Engineers 498 R. Buchanan, 484 Howe. 70 loads, 1 empty, 1735 tons. Called at 655pm. Brakemen Wilson and Worth, Fireman 498 H. Buchanan, 484 Pearce. Caboose 0587.
Now we know what they wanted 484 held for. That 71 car westbound was too much for 473 to help with.
