Brian Shoup Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Doris Osterwald's book -
Narrow Gauge to
> Cumbres - has a photo of workers laying track
> in Antonito in June of 1971. It appears from the
> photo that a wye and a runaround track were laid,
> along with constructing the 1st non-historic Depot
> (now the Commission office). Doris also mentioned
> an early volunteer group with the name, Narrow
> Gauge Railroad Association, that "rode the trains
> as car attendants."
>
> Several questions for anyone on the board who was
> working on the RR back then, or who has knowledge
> such as Vern Glover, Earl, or others:
> * Who did the track work and built the 1st depot?
> Scenic Railways? A contractor retained by the New
> Mexico and Colorado Railroad Authorities? (The
> Compact that created the Commission had yet to be
> enacted back then.)
I don't think anyone told me who built the original yard trackage in Antonito. It was all done in the spring of 1971
> * When were the enginehouse, current depot, yard,
> and loop constructed in Antonito?
The current loop, and depot were built in 1977. The enginehouse was built some years before, which caused for some head scratching as it positioned about 90 degrees to the then-present wye, which turned out to be fine when the loop was built some years later. The enginehouse was essentially constructed for the overhaul of 463, when the town of Antonito was funding it. As a concession to reality, it was made JUST long enough to fit a 480 inside and be able to close the doors. In addition to being 463's hiding place in the 1970's, the building served as the shop for Scenic's fleet of buses. I think the water tank came in 1980 or so.
> * How well did the volunteer car attendants work
> out? I recall hearing that there were conflicts.
There were conflicts between the management of Scenic Rys and the NGRRA. The NGRRA newsletter had a few not so favoable comments about Scenic Rys on occasion which of course worked its way down through to the car attendants. I joined the NGRRA pretty late in the game (1975), so I missed some of those fireworks.
> * With no tank or stand pipe available at
> Antonito, do I recall correctly that the water
> service back then relied on the Lava tank?
There was a small standpipe built on the tail of the wye.
>
> Thanks in advance to anyone with knowledge
> regarding these questions.
