Re: 2015 project 710, etc. (pics)

Thanks, Paul -

We curmudgeonly Phraud-O-Graphers are a fussy lot, and any help you can provide in making
things look more like the "Good Old Days" of the D&RGW is very welcome!  I've been ex-Sperry-
menting* with a new toy by re-scanning about three dozen slides from late August, 1968 - the
very last revenue freights over Cumbres - and there's one shot in particular that would be just
about impossible to replicate today without the help of a huge flock bevy of beavers attacking
the aspen trees that have grown up a half-mile or so west of Sublette over the past 45 years.

Here's a black & white (pseudo infra-red) interpretation of the photo, which has been titled 'Slippery Footing' for obvious reasons:


Ernie, Rattie and I walked in to this location a few months ago, and there were so many trees on the inside of the curve that the doghouse of the second engine would barely be visible from the hilltop today - even if it weren't raining - and the rest of both locos would be completely hidden!

*****

Since one of the projects is to continue restoration of the section house at Cumbres, I thought this shot - taken just a few hours after the one above - might be of interest.     Ah - if only the snowshed could someday be rebuilt!


For a few more shots of the section house, taken in the mid-1960's, see John West's collection at [www.lifewastedchasingtrains.com] and [www.lifewastedchasingtrains.com]

- Roosso

* 'Ex-Sperry-Mental' means "Out of Sperry's Mind", not "Sperry is out of his mind" (although I'm sure Roger, and a few others, might want to argue about that).



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/11/2015 05:38PM by Russo Loco.