I know the rumor mill has suggested that a fleet-wide conversion to oil was in the conversation.
You know, living in the Springs I get up to Silver Plume more frequently than to Durango and the fact that they burn oil on the GLRR has never once diminished the experience for me. FWIW on my last D&SNG ride behind one of the K-36s, my eyes were ablaze with cinders in the open air car on the run back from Rockwood to Durango. I can't help but imagine the engines and equipment may stay a bit cleaner overall as well.
It's natural to want to compare the D&SNG to the C&TS given their common history. However, the two railroads exist in different environments with different business models and different objectives. Changing demographics in southwest Colorado can't be ignored...more and more people are moving to Durango without the same deep sense of appreciation for history and the role of the railroad that may have been there a few generations ago. As a narrow gauge fan I am in support of whatever measures are necessary to keep the D&SNG relevant for years to come. #493 looks beautiful, and while the oil bunker in the tender takes a little getting used to for those of us slobbering fans, it doesn't detract a whit from the excitement of having a K-37 in operation again on a former D&RGW line.
As for diesels, I only ever got to ride the White Pass and Yukon once, and it was behind the Alcos...and the scenery was every bit as spectacular and the engineering of the road just as inspiring as had we been behind steam.
Hoping to get out and ride the Silverton again this year, and frankly, now I'm hoping it'll be behind the 493 just for the novelty's sake.
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Dave Vollmer
Rio Grande Southern in HOn3
Colorado Midland in N scale
Colorado Springs, CO
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/31/2020 02:27PM by Dave Vollmer.
