Re: I've kicked myself

John, I think the two photos you posted are outstanding. The first one with 478 is unique, as hardly anyone ever took photos in the narrow canyon between Dulce and Navajo. There was always the temptation to rush ahead (as much rushing as that narrow dirt road allowed) to the classic scene at the bridge and tank at Navajo. That narrow canyon section has a special meaning to me as that is where engineer Andy Paine opened the blowdown into the open window of Jim Marcus' car as Jim was passing 498 (the engine log says 487, but I remember 498) about 5 feet away in retribution for oiling the rails on Bocea Hill the day before. I was following right behind Jim Marcus and was instantly blinded in the very narrow space between the train on the left and the mountain side on the right, at speed. Luckily neither of us crashed into anything, but it was still my scariest moment chasing narrow gauge trains (8-11-1966).

And your other photo of 476 at the Navajo tank is just perfect. Just to think that after the thousands of times that 476 passed the Navajo tank, this was the last time.