Re: NG M&W

By 1982 on the then new, Durango and Silverton, a brand new 3’ gauge tamper and brand new 3’ gauge ballast regulator were built by the Tamper Corporation specifically for the D&S. I believe both are still on the property, and still in service. I also know that the D&S had received a newly restored 3’ gauge production tamper in the last few years.

Prior to that, the D&S had inherited a small 3’ gauge Matisa Tamper from the DRGW. It was used in the early days of the D&S prior to the arrival of the new machines and for a short time thereafter. It was more of a steam powered tamper, as it spent most of its time breaking down when trying to get out of the way, and had to be shoved by the steam locomotive to the nearest siding or spur. I believe the Matisa eventually went to the C&TS, where it also spent time getting shoved around by steam, and was finally retired. I think I saw it in the car house at the Georgetown Loop earlier this year. It is one “well used” machine

Mike Ramsey