While attending Fort Lewis College (1974-79), I used to observe the annual practice of the railroad shutting down in the fall, maintenance practices during the winter, and starting up again in the spring. Their practices and procedures were, well, "interesting" during the winter, but they always managed to get it all done in time for the summer. As explained, the roundhouse had been reduced to 3 stalls (4-6), with the middle stall having a drop pit installed with an air jack. The track in stalls 1-3 were removed and a concrete floor poured for a machine shop. There were several machines that did come over from Alamosa, including a Vertical late, two old lathes, a shaper, press and a drill press. A small coal fired forge was also installed in the machine shop. In addition, an old Westinghouse air compressor from a diesel locomotive was set up to provide compressed air that was stored in several, very old, main reservoir tanks.
When I arrived in 1981, the several box cars (3-4) that came over on the last westbound move in 1968 (with 481) were still in the yard and loaded with parts, etc. that were loaded in Alamosa. This included a "wrecking car" which contained block and tackle equipment, oak blocking, cables and just about everything needed for a larger derailment. Other cars included everything from switch stand lanterns, lantern parts, air brake equipment, rod brass blanks, boiler tools and taps, cutters, machinery supplies, drums of soaked wool packing and much more.
Mike Ramsey