I blame Beebe, Jukes & #268

While I don't *dislike* the newer D&RG(W) engines, my love is firmly centered on the pre-1900 ones.
I expect this is, despite occasional rides on the Silverton in the 1964-79 period, much of my early exposure to the Colorado 3' lines was via Lucis Beebe's books with the wonderful pictures of Fred Jukes holding my attention.
Not to mention that in 1970, after riding the Silverton the previous day, we (Dad & I, that was the year we took two cars to Arizona & Mom got stuck with the teenagers!) spent the night in Gunnison and I first met #268. I spent the rest of the 1970's agitating for at least one direction of our yearly trek to Arizona to go via Gunnison so I could visit her.
hank