Hey, it's a unique photo opportunity! If I got steam on the uphill part and then the diesel going back south I'd consider that a positive from a variety of photos perspective. The fact that D&S has backup power ready to go in the case of an equipment failure is fantastic and just shows what a top notch organization it is. I recall seeing one of the trains about to leave Durango one morning had an issue with one of the K-36's and it had to be pulled off and sent back to the roundhouse. Did the train get canceled? Nope! It was late, but about 30 min later, another K-36 emerged from the "bullpen" as relief pitcher and headed out of town with a full train. A bit late to Silverton no doubt, but they did get their ride, and it wasn't that late. Not only that, most people are so exhausted by the time they head back to Durango they are sleeping most of the way back and wouldn't know if the locomotive was a K-36, a Big Boy, or a Plymouth. Hey, "Big Al" has got to have some time in the spotlight from time to time (not too much of course)!