Disc 2 from 1968 has the following material and information
Note was that all trains were doubleheader from Alamosa to Chama, rather than split to mid-train helper at Antonito. Thats because the trains were shorter (less drawbar issues). I assume they split at Cascade Trestle though.
July 17, 1968
483 and 493 prepping at Alamosa, early morning, turntable and so forth, then departure, pacing,Jeff Stebbins and Erica, Estrella, Water stop at La Jara, west of Antonito, east of Sublette(305), Mud Tunnel from above, and Phantom curve from above(same location probably-vista shots). All movies by Ernie Robart.
July 17, 1968 While the train from Alamosa to Chama was running, 498 left Durango but only made it to Ignacio due to weeds and such because no trains had run. Engine returned to Durango(no movies or stills of this).
July 18, 1968 498 eastbound at Monero, doubling the hill, taking coal at Monero etc. Then followed to Chama. 10 flats of lumber, 1 box car, and caboose. Scenes at Monero, Azotea, and just west of Chama.
July 18, 1968 493 leads and 483 rear helper out of Chama eastbound, scenes at Dalton, and state line curve. This was the first cumbers turn. (movies by Ernie Robart). No scenes of the second turn. Helper 483 is next scene
crossing Cascade Trestle from a broadside view across the valley. This is followed by 493 with the train crossing the bridge with 31 cars. Last use of engine 493 on the Rio Grande.
July 22, 1968 498 took the loads from the run on July 17-18 to Farmington, and empties return. No movies or films of this run
More than a month later
August 27, 1968 498 made a roundtrip to Gato from Durango (no images or movies)
August 28, 1968 498 Durango to Chama (Last eastbound freight from Durango) (no movies or stills)
August 28, 1968 483 and 484 Alamosa to Chama (Last westbound Freight). Russ Sperry Color images of this run
August 29, 1968 498 and 484 Eastbound Chama to Alamosa ( Last eastbound freight). Russ Sperry color images
August 29, 1968 483 took loaded freight from Chama to Durango. (no movies or stills of this)
August 30, 1968 Ernie Robart movies of 478 on Silverton train at Hermosa, and crossing at Shalona
August 31, 1968 Ernie Robart movies of last freight run, which was 483 to Farmington with loads, and empties return. 10-11 scenes southbound, and 5-6 northbound shots(All movies)
Oct 9, 1968 Ernie Robart movies of 473 light from Durango to Chama. In movie paint from Butch Cassidy film. Last eastbound K-28 to Chama. Great coverage of this, with many runbys to Gato, then east of Dulce eastward.
Oct 9, 1968. 483 switching at Lobato in movie garb for movie work. (I movie scene of 483) 473 and 483 spent the night together in Chama
Oct. 10, 1968 473 one movie clip of 473 crossing Cascade Creek Trestle from up high, as it headed for Alamosa. Last eastbound move of K-28 on this section. Only shot he did that day.
November 23-24. National Park Service inspection train. 483 to Chama on the 23, Chama-Alamosa on the 24th. No movies, but some black and white stills to Gato, and one at Coxo the second day.
December 5th, 1968. 473 leading 483 with train to Durango, with 481 in the consist. All color movies 7-8 scenes between Alamosa and Antonito, and no more the rest of that day.
December 6th, 1968. Ernie Robart Movies of 473 from Chama to Durango. Good coverage including: Depart Chama, pace west of Chama, Willow Creek Siding, first crossing west of Chama, East of Juanita, 3 shots near Juanita including the bridge, east of Gato, arrive at Gato water tank. Departing Gato along the river on a curve(Christmas tree on the caboose stands out here), near Carracas, west of Carracas, Pacing along relocation trackage east of Arboles. Really nice movie coverage of this final Rio Grande Train on December 6th.
Since Russ was posting all the images from Ernie on the 50th anniversary of everything in 1968, that his info would be appropriate. It fills in some blanks showing when movies were made perhaps instead of stills and so forth. It also forms another record of what took place that final year.
Greg Scholl
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www.gregschollvideo.com]
