Russo Loco Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Earl Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > At one time there was considerable agricultural
> > business in the Valley. There were produce
> sheds
> > in La Jara, Romeo, Antonito and other places.
> > During certain times of the year daily turns
> were
> > made down the valley picking up reefer cars
> full
> > of produce. These trains were crewed by men
> off
> > the Narrow Gauge Board and would have either
> > NG or SG power on the trains. The produce was
> > loaded into SG cars to avoid transfer in
> Alamosa.
>
>
> Earl et al -
>
> Tom Gildersleeve caught narrow gauge #491 hauling
> a long string of empty standard gauge reefers and
> boxcars south out of Alamosa on October 17,
> 1960. Note the idler car immediately behind
> #491's tender, equipped with couplers for both
> gauges, which enabled this operation
:
> [attachment 43165 621019-tg-16+17.jpg]
>
Photos copyright © 1960, 2005
> by Tom Gildersleeve - All Rights Reserved.
>
> A second idler car near the middle of the train
> allowed several empty narrow-gauge tank cars bound
> for Chama and a long string of cars loaded with
> oilfield supplies for Farmington to bring up the
> rear
:
> [attachment 43166 621019-tg-19+20.jpg]
>
Photos copyright © 1960, 2005
> by Tom Gildersleeve - All Rights Reserved.
>
> Apparently the reefers were spotted on sidings
> somewhere south of La Jara; the remainder of the
> train made good speed on the three-rail
> "racetrack" to Antonito. The train was split
> upon arrival there, and the engine took water at
> the tank
:
> [attachment 43175 621019-tg-21+22.jpg]
>
Photos copyright © 1960, 2005
> by Tom Gildersleeve - All Rights Reserved.
>
>
. . . and then, with the help of more
> dual-gauge idler cars, spent the afternoon
> switching the various industries in the
> area
:
> [attachment 43176 621019-tg-23+24.jpg]
>
Photos copyright © 1960, 2005
> by Tom Gildersleeve - All Rights Reserved.
>
> Although Tom doesn't have photos, the narrow-gauge
> half of the train was apparently hauled to Chama
> that night and on west to Durango on Tuesday,
> 10/18/60 by #491 and another engine.* Tom's
> next slide is a night shot of #491 near the water
> tower in Antonito, followed by #483 heading north
> (RR east) to Alamosa, and then several shots of
> #494 en route to Farmington on Wednesday,
> 10/19/60
:
> [attachment 43188 601017-tg-25+80.jpg]
>
Photos copyright © 1960, 2005
> by Tom Gildersleeve - All Rights Reserved.
>
> -
Roosso
>
> * Does Jimmy have records for October
> 17-19, 1960, that would verify my
> conjecture?
October 17 1960
Extra 491 west
Conductor Murrany
Engineer Dunn
Depart Alamosa 2:35 PM with 34 loads30 empties
La Jara 15 minutes switching
Arrive Antonito 4:35 PM, 2 hours 55 minutes eat, coal & water wait for extra 486 east
Depart Antonito time not shown, consist not shown
Cumbres 10 minutes retainers
Arrive Chama 1:25 AM (Oct 18) with 19 loads 1 empty
October 18 1960
Engine 491 and helper engine 483 made 2 Chama Cumbres turns, 1st turn with 31 empties, 2nd turn with 6 loads 15 empties, engineer on 491 Greathouse
October 19 1960
Extra 491 east with helper engine 483
Conductor Murray, engine 491 engineer Dunn
Depart Chama 2:00 PM with 18 loads 1 empty
Arrive Cumbres 3:15 PM, 40 minutes switching, helper off
Engine 483 run light to Alamosa
Extra 491 east depart Cumbres 3:55 PM with 24 loads 45 empties
Arrive Alamosa 8:05 PM with 24 loads 45 empties
Jimmy
