Monarch Branch Standard gauging

Earl Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'd venture a guess that 483 has a work train
> doing regular maintenance on Maysville Curve.
> When the line was standard gauged the whole curve
> was relaid with heavier rail, the trestle filled
> in and the curve was eased considerable from the
> 20 or so degrees when it was narrow gauge.
>
Also, Monarch Branch was standard gauged in August of '56 and 483 had been sent to Alamosa in July.
Process was that a "plow" device was pulled from Monarch to Salida which pulled the narrowgauge track structure lose, then a whole new track structure with std ga ties and heavier rail was built. Curves were eased a bit, the tail tracks on the switch backs were widened, and the grade was improved to std ga standards in general. I assume it was widened a bit. IIRC, 489 pulled the last narrow gauge movement, the "plow" train.
489 was the last narrow gauge engine at Salida, going to Alamosa that September, 480 and 482 had gone in August, 483 in July and 481 in March. (486 & 487 went South in December of '52)
489 had a lot of "lasts" back then. I hope she never collects another!
hank