Hi,
I recall taking Mom on the first(?) visit of Eureka to the D&S.
Coming back from Silverton, (I think it was after Tacoma) I saw Dan hanging way out of the cab trying to look at something. Several times in fact.
As I recall, a cotter pin or bolt had worked or was working loose on the engineer's(?) side and they kept the speed to a crawl all the way back.
I recall the less caring railfans on the special getting mad about the slow speed. One had planned a close schedule with the airplane out of Durango and he eventually got off at Rockwood. He was one of several that said things like
just take the brakes off and
they could push the train faster. Those folk would not listen to the possibilities that there was a problem with Eureka.
It seemed that some of the passengers were more worried about speed (yeah right it's narrow gauge) than they were about the possible damage to and the longer delay of less cautious railroad workers.
Several year before, my SV 101 in 4.75" gauge lost the bold that kept the side rod on the crank pin of the counter weight. The rod dropped, hit a tie (only a 2"x2") and bent into a pretzel. I was just hoping that nothing would happen to Eureka and cause Dan to not want to come to Durango again.
Thanks to Dan for sharing Eureka. Thanks to those who care for thee antiques that need more care and attention than new items.
Doug vV