Re: D&SNG in the early Days
| November 21, 2011 08:42AM |
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A lot happened in a hurry after Mr. Bradshaw purchased the railroad in 1981. I hired out in April 1981 as the first engine watchman (employee No. 12). There were only three others in the roundhouse, including the shop foreman, with all three K-28’s in pieces. Drivers were out from under each locomotive and all the spring rigging, brake rigging, etc was in a big pile out in front of the roundhouse. Most of the modern tools were gone as they were removed by the DRGW. With the start of the regular season only a little over a month away, there wasn’t much time to get ready. Interim DRGW management at the time figured that DRGW employees would leave the Rio Grande (and their seniority) and come work for the D&S. Very few did, and only one in the operating department. Coaches were being worked on in front of the depot as had been done in the past. Not as much work to do with them other than painting. The 473 was the first locomotive out the door, followed by the 476 and finally the 478. This was completed after an incredible amount of work by only a few people in a short amount of time. The 481 followed in August…another “all hands on deck” with many hours of work done by few. This was in addition to keeping the other locomotives maintained and operating during the busy summer season.
During the winter-spring of 1981-82 is when more work was done on the physical plant with the beginning of construction of the car shop, roundhouse extension, etc. along with the major track work starting in the valley with the purchase of a new ballast regulator and tamper. The track crew under former DRGW employee and Road Foreman, Bob Huffman, completed an incredible amount of work. 1982 was the year more trains were added to the schedule with more equipment needed.
Looking back, this was all very satisfying, but at the time it wasn’t much fun. Mr. Bradshaw spent lots of $$$, but was not the kind of employer that would praise or encourage his staff. Other than criticism, he very seldom interacted with his employees.
Mike
During the winter-spring of 1981-82 is when more work was done on the physical plant with the beginning of construction of the car shop, roundhouse extension, etc. along with the major track work starting in the valley with the purchase of a new ballast regulator and tamper. The track crew under former DRGW employee and Road Foreman, Bob Huffman, completed an incredible amount of work. 1982 was the year more trains were added to the schedule with more equipment needed.
Looking back, this was all very satisfying, but at the time it wasn’t much fun. Mr. Bradshaw spent lots of $$$, but was not the kind of employer that would praise or encourage his staff. Other than criticism, he very seldom interacted with his employees.
Mike
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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.