et&wnc Wrote:
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> I still have trouble accepting that this line was
> running freight as late as less than a year before
> I was born...
That is why the D&RGW Narrow Gauge lines were so unique. They were the LAST CLASS 1 Steam ops in The United States. Most railroads ended in 1960 or much earlier. Two of the last ones were Norfolk and Western and Grant Trunk Western both running into 1960. 1956-1958 saw the end for most of the last railroads, with some ending earlier, like Southern Rwy for instance. There were a few small operations with steam, like the steel mill at Sterling, IL that operated some ex Grand Trunk 0-8-0's, and a couple of short lines. Crab Orchard and Egyptian in Marion, Illinois actually operated in the mid 1980's with a 2-8-0. Even British Steam was gone by 1966. So beyond 1968 one had to venture overseas for mainline regular service steam operations. There were plenty to enjoy such as Germany, and other European countries until about 1980, Turkey, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and of course China.
But, yes it was quite unusual for steam to be operating up through 1968, even on the narrow gauge in Colorado and New Mexico. Technically the Rio Grande did not quit operating steam on a regular basis until they sold the Silverton Branch in 1980 to Charles Bradshaw(Today's Durango and Silverton RR). Because the D&RGW steam on the NG lasted so long we are fortunate so many of these engines were saved, and we have 100 miles of operational tracks remaining to enjoy as well.
History has a way of repeating itself. In the 60's when fans flocked to the D&RGW NG it was because there was no steam to be found otherwise. Now in the post-steam era there are few mainline operations once again, and the NG remains a great destination for the steam enthusiasts. With the NS announcing there will be no more 765 or TVRM(Southern), mainline trips over the Norfolk Southern, and possibly only 4 weekends of 611 in 2016, it could be a lean year for mainline operations.
Greg
