New G&Q versus Old G&Q

The G&Q was recently modernized with an almost futuristic vision catering to world tourists riding modern, smooth, quiet, and comfortable trains for the purpose of seeing the natural landscape. The previous G&Q was well preserved, authentic steam antique mountain railroad. It was very much a U.S. pattern narrow gage steam railroad including open stations with telegraphers. Around the 1970s, the G&Q became a well known railfan attraction, and by the 1990s, the line was famous for providing a roof-ride experience through the mountain scenery of steep grades, hairpin curves, tunnels, and bridges. Roof riding had long been a practice of the third-class passengers local to the area. People also rode on tenders and pilot beams. Everything about the line was very interesting. Everywhere you could point a camera was something happening waiting to make a great photo. There was new excitement around every curve.

Of course, the modernization did away with roof riding, but when the practice reached its peak, each train carried several boxcars with roofs jammed full of riders. Eventually, they put railings on the edges of the boxcar roofs. Devil's Nose was the main attraction, but there were many secondary attractions including town after town that seemed like it was in western U.S. in the 1800s.

There was a ton of great videos of this pre-modern G&Q on Youtube. I have not checked yet to see if they still exist.