First Train to Cumbres (1970)

While this topic is well-known to many readers of the NGDF, I thought it worthwhile reiterate on it a bit with a photo that hasn't been seen.

Coincidentally enough, 50 years ago there was another early September cold snap in Colorado; this one was a couple days days earlier on the 4th & 5th. It was probably not as cold as this year’s because most of the precipitation in the San Juans fell as rain, so much rain that the Animas River destroyed miles of the narrow gauge between Tacoma and Silverton. At the same time, the first C&TS westbound train past Big Horn was underway, with the goal being to test the repaired track all the way to Chama.

On Friday the 4th 483 left Antonito, and at Big Horn the train was cut down to 5 cars and caboose 05030. Struggling all day in the rain they made it to Osier at dusk, then Cumbres after midnight. It rained all day Saturday so the train stayed at the top of the pass.

By the morning of Sunday the 6th, the rain changed to snow at the high elevations; here is the first C&TS train at Cumbres being switched around before heading downgrade to Chama which was another all-day sojourn (it is a bit grainy because there was very little light in the early morning snow squall).



Another odd coincidence: Labor Day 1970 was on the 7th, just like 2020.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/17/2020 01:54PM by Tank Smith.