Re: why was 497 not used in 1968?

Another good question that I have pondered. It might be 497's terrible throttle might have something to do with it. But on the other hand, mechanical departments aren't noted for sidelining a perfectly good engine because the crews didn't like it. 497's last use was in mid-December 1967 when it ran light engine to Gato to pick up some loads it had left behind on its last westbound trip on December 7. 497 went on the ground at the ice-filled crossing at Falfa, and 473 came out to help re-rail it. 473 went back to town and 497 continued east to Gato, turned and came back to Durango with 4 boxcars of drill mud. On 12/27, 497 took those 4 cars to Farmington, returning with only the caboose. It was scheduled to go east from Durango with 473, but the run was cancelled by bad weather, and the Grande then shut the place down for the winter.

484 was only used for a few trips in 1967, the last being on June 30. She didn't run again until the last revenue freight train operation in August, 1968. 493 was used on most trains in its place. So, one has to wonder if they were keeping 484 aside for some reason, but I doubt it.