Re: Neat photo of Hecla Junction

Jimmy,

Those dates are indeed what Bob LeMassena and others have had out in print for years.

However, there is NO mention in any of LeMassena's histories that the Rio Grande rebuilt this line at any time between 1922 and 1935 when George Beam died, and these are Beam photographs. For that matter, the Rio Grande had zero dollars to do this sort of work after 1930 during the depression.

None of the construction in these photographs is 3 rail, it is all SG. In the same series, there are a number of photos where the abandoned Colorado Midland grade is shown, complete with ties (no rail) and no vegetation. The CM was pulled up in 1921, and in the photographs it looks like it was picked up yesterday. I have seen (but cannot find) a photo of one of the 3400 series locomotives easing out on to a new fill, and the CM grade is clearly visible, complete with ties, and the line is totally SG on the brand new fill.

If there was another major line relocation project between 1922 and 1935, then this would all work out. If there was NOT, then there are discrepancies between these photographs, and the established histories.

Interesting.