It sounds like, except perhaps for some issues with the rigidity of the trucks, the 1203 is reasonably well suited to pull a regular Silverton train if needed. Which is not a bad thing in an emergency. It would not surprise me to see the D&S test it out in that role, just to see how well it does. Perhaps to Cascade, perhaps all the way to Silverton at some point. It sounds like it has the TE to get a train over the road, probably would be good to test its tonnage ratings from Hermosa to Rockwood. Just glad there are not a lot more like it available.
JBWX
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/01/2017 11:44AM by John West.