Re: Next-to-Last Freights over Cumbres - 07/17-18/68

Paul Davenport Wrote:
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> . . . I am also very impressed by Ernie's energy and
> dedication in getting so many hard-to-get shots on
> the same day.  My favorite is the helper crossing
> Cascade shot from across the valley. That took
> some doing.

That one took some extra effort both in the scanning and in getting the illumination reasonably close — the negative was really thin.  As you can see by the difference in the hills in the background of the following shot of #493 with the train on the trestle, the sunlight was fading fast.  It's amazing that he got a shot without blurring the train with a long exposure!

Wayne Laepple Wrote:
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> Thanks for posting this great set of photos, Russ.
> I was a rising senior in college in 1968, and I
> tried to organize a road trip with several friends
> to take in, among others, the D&RGW, Mobile &
> Gulf, Magma Arizona, Northwestern Wire, etc.
> Unfortunately, all of us were relatively poor and
> had to work all summer to pay the next year's
> tuition bill, so it didn't happen. And all of those
> places were a long way from Pennsylvania.

Stewart Rhine Wrote:
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> Wow, what a fantastic set of photos! Ernie sure
> covered the action, it's almost like being there.


Right, Youse Guys -

Ernie (who turned 71 a couple of days ago) was a young mountain goat back those days, and knew the railroad well by 1968 — IIRC he had started keeping records and taking photos during 1964 or '65 while still in high school.  We all owe Ernie a lot for the sacrifices he made in those days, and on into the 1970s in helping to preserve the railroad and its history.  I am glad that he's finally getting some of the recognition he deserves!

- Roosso