Re: Photo coverage between Dulce and Chama

"Western History"

I was, on more than one occasion, told a story. The "myth" goes as follows:

Upon the C&TS acquiring the railroad between Colorado and New Mexico, rails were still laid west.

The first part is; the railroad was originally supposed to get the line from Dulce to Antonito, but the week before / after the purchase agreement, the rails were scrapped between Chama and Dulce. Thus turning a 100 mile railroad to a 64 mile railroad.....

Second, (and I have heard more than one story, one of which, Earl Knoob was the engineer); After the transfer of the railroad from the D&RGW to the states, a small group of people took an engine from Chama to Arboles. Upon reaching Arboles (or somewhere near), Coal was needed for the light engine. When the chute was dumped, a few pieces of coal and a "dead cat" fell from the tower to the tender. After this, the crew decided to return to Chama, and the line was pulled "the next day."

Both of these "stories" are fantastic, and I wish that both were true. I have read some of the highlights here, but I am having trouble differentiating between the truth and the "stories." Any help with the truth is appreciated...

Casey