Re: "Final Years" Supplemental Photo Info

Jimmy Blouch Wrote:
-You wrote

> June 22, 1966, Farmington branch with engine 492,
> Durango-Farmington-Durango
>
> June 23, 24, 25, and 26 no freight activity
>
> June 27, 1966 Durango “work extra” 484 east,
> Conductor Schaaf, engineer Gibbs
> Depart Durango 8:55 AM with 2 loads 1 empty (2
> water cars, caboose)
> La Boca 30 minutes switch, water and pick up (not
> shown what was picked up or where it went)
> Gato 45 minutes water, eat and switch
> Arboles 5 minutes set out
> Laboca 30 minutes switch and water
> Arrive Durango 6:15 PM with 4 loads
> Based on the photo Greg posted showing the train
> at Gato with 2 water cars I would say pick up was
> not made at La Boca on the east bound trip. The
> water cars were not set out at Arboles on the east
> bound trip because the location for the water cars
> to be spotted was accessible on the westbound
> trip. Train arrived back in Durango with 4 loads,
> which probably came from La Boca and may or may
> not be in connection with the dragline outfit cars
> moved to the Farmington branch on June 28, 1966.
>
> June 28, 1966, Farmington branch, “work extra”
> 484, conductor Schaaf, engineer Gibbs
> Depart Durango 9:00 AM with 2 loads 4 empties
> Aztec 25 minutes switching
> MP 489 ¾ 1 hour eat and unload dragline
> Aztec 5 minutes set out
> Bondad 5 minutes water
> Arrive Durango 5:05 PM with 1 empty (caboose)
> There are some John West photos showing this train
> preparing to leave Durango
>
> June 29, 1966 no freight activity
>
> June 30 Durango extra 484 east to Chama conductor
> Schaaf, engineer Gibbs
> Depart Durango 10:30 AM with 15 loads 9 empties
> Arrive Chama 11:05 PM with 10 loads 23 empties
>
> Jimmy

Based on the above I feel pretty certain that the train my dad shot
was the 492 on the Farmington Branch On June 22. I am betting this was work train. I spoke to my brother and he said the three of us went to the Ranch together, but one day dad went with the owner to Durango via Speeder car(we think) to Rockwood, where they took Ross McCauslands vehicle to Durango. Our vehicle was there so Dad use it to follow the train on the Farmington Branch, then wound up back at the Ranch that night.

I remember him stating that there were no freight trains running at this time, and that we felt lucky to get the water train to Gato. My brother also felt that I was correct in thinking we chased it to Gato and then headed east toward Ohio.

I think this nails down that date on the Gato Turn with 484. Interesting info. Thanks Jimmy.

Someday I need to watch that double exposed film again and see if perhaps 492 is the power, if its possible to make it out on the film.
Greg Scholl