In early Jan, 1952 a monster winter storm swept Cumbres Pass closing the mainline between Antonito and Chama for nearly a month while rotary crews worked from each end to plow the line open. Over in Durango, railroad operations came to a standstill with no inbound or outbound freights. Even the 6 day a week switch crew was laid off and only called when needed. Nearly every locomotive was out fighting the blizzard. Both Alamosa and Durango kept one big engine each, just in case they were needed. Finally the snows ended, the line cleared and a large backlog of freight waiting in Alamosa could be sent west. Here we go:
Jan 28, 1952
Switcher 453
Eng. Dieckman
Frm. Rhodes
Con. P. Murray
Bkm. Greathouse, J. Cummins
called for 230pm.
Jan 29, 1952
Extra 488-478 East
488
Eng. Squires
Frm. Degani
478
Eng. Buchanan
Frm. Pearce
Con. Bruce
Bkm. Henry, R. Murray
Called for 600am.
Switcher 453
Eng. Dieckman
Frm. Rhodes
Con. Greathouse
Bkm. J. Cummins, Gibbs.
Called for 300pm.
X488-478E was the first train east in nearly a month. They hit an iced over crossing near Tiffany, derailing 488 rather badly. 478 returned to Durango for the night.
Jan 30, 1952
Work Extra 478 - Wrecker
Eng. Squires
Frm. Degani
Con. Bruce
Bkm. Henry, R. Murray
Called for 600am.
Thier job is gather up the wrecking stuff and go rerail 488. This day and the next are spent re-railling 488 and retuning to Durango.
Jan 31, 1952 - no outbound operations - Work X478 returns.
Feb. 1, 1952
Extra 488-478 East
488
Eng. Squires
Frm. Degani
478
Eng. Buchanan
Frm. Pearce
Con. Bruce
Bkm. Henry, R. Murray
called for 300am.
X488-478E tries again with better results. Crew returns as X488-478West the next day.
Feb. 3, 1952 - no outbound operations, 492 comes in from the east.
Feb. 4, 1952
Switcher 453
Eng. O. House
Frm. Hauck
Con. P. Murray
Bkm. Greathouse, J. Cummins
called for 730am
Extra 488-492 East
488
Eng. Squires
Frm. Degani
492
Eng. Buchanan
Frm. Pearce
Con. Bruce
Bkm. Henry, R. Murray
called for 115pm.
