Re: Memories of 1744

Back in Alamosa that evening. Of course, we had no idea 1744 would never run again. The plan for the next year was to have steam 7 days a week, alternating 1744 with the to-be-acquired #18. However 1744's minor boiler work turned into the proverbial can of worms. Everywhere you looked there were major problems, that were never found or addressed when she had her 1472 done a few years back. By January 2008, 1744 was being dismantled so that her boiler could be shipped off for major surgery, that was never completed


Tied up, fire out, stack capped, 1744 settles into a very long nap. Off to Nino's Mexican Food (across the street in the old Walsh Hotel building), for some famous margaritas and green chili burritos.


When 1744 went into service in Alamosa it had been 50 years and 5 months since standard gauge steam had run anywhere on the Rio Grande. The D&RGW's last standard gauge steam operation was in late December, 1956 when C-48 #1151 ran from Alamosa to Creede and return. I've never heard when the last steam run over La Veta happened, probably a bit earlier.

I am very proud of the fact that I got to participate in the brief revival of steam over La Veta. It was a great place to run steam, you got to run fast (30 mph) and work the engine hard too. All in beautiful country. It didn't get much better than that.

I am VERY glad 1744 has a new home and a better future.

Long May You Run.........



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/2020 02:03PM by Earl.