Re: Earl on 1744 at La Veta

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My grandfather co-owns a cabin with his brothers in Huajatolla Cañon. Spent many summers as a young pup roaming the area. I sure was excited to hear that passenger trains would soon be returning to La Veta; beyond ecstatic when I later found out that steam would come with it. 1744 was the first hot standard gauge steam locomotive I'd ever seen, as well as the first hot locomotive I was able to step inside to view.
Earl, I truly do appreciate you and John Charles allowing my grandfather to throw my 11-year old behind and my 8-year old brother up into the cab for a quick look around all those years ago. And a special thanks to Dan Adler for putting me up in the cab of 18 with my Dad to ride around with you guys in Alamosa. We'll be hanging onto those great memories forever.

Nick Valdez
Engineer, Cañon City & Royal Gorge Railroad