Re: 57 years ago

Earl Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> This was the first train out of Durango since Dec.
> 5. A three-day Chama Turn with no train from
> Durango ran on Dec. 7-9. and a flanger train ran
> over the hill from Alamosa to Chama on Dec. 13 &
> 14.

>
> This was the last operation over Cumbres for 1961.
> On Dec. 29-30 a turn was made from Durango to
> Chama and return.
>
> Next train out of Alamosa was Jan. 3, 1962.

This is interesting. I guess I didn't realize just how intermittent the freight trains were, even in the early 60s. How did the D&RGW retain their crews? Did these folks work in other capacities on the days when they weren't called for train service? I wouldn't think folks could make a living running trains as infrequently as was apparently the case by that period.

/Kevin Madore