I was just a kid in the backseat of our stationwagon, when we followed a Mike running light from Chama to Durango. Lumberton! Dulce! Race around to catch up at the reservoir! The loops leading down to the Animas! The rods flying as the engine pulled into the yard! Then, the train to Silverton and the gunfight at the hotel!
That hooked me on narrow gauge steam. I subsequently never owned a diesel model locomotive, although I allow that the RGS motors qualify, since they are gasoline. (Also, I am a motorman on No. 4.)
My father was a cinemagraphicer, and filmed multiple run-bys during the two or three days when the railroad ran specials to help convince the states to save a portion of the railroad. I still have a letter of introduction given him by Mr. Anderson, though the films are long gone. And whatever shaky photos I took of that Mike have not survived.....