Bob Richardson may have not liked the paint job, but this is what he reported in the August 1950 Narrow Gauge News.
"PAINTED TRAIN A SUCCESS"
The revamped Silverton branch mixed train has become known as the the "Painted Train" and most trips have seen crowds of nearly 200 nearly 200 aboard." ............
........"The train as a tourist attraction is rivaling Mesa Verde National Park long considered THE tourist attraction of the area"
He, however didn't like the "ugliest sounding whistle on the system"
He did offer 2 sets of three photos of the Painted train as part of that issues Picture specials.
At least in 1950 the D&RGW was making some effort to promote that part of the narrow gauge. Perhaps if it had not been for the Bumblebee paint scheme the 473 would have gone the way of most of the other surplus engines
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/2014 10:20AM by davegrandt.