Re: List of equipment at the start of the C&TS

I always thought that not getting a lot of the shop machinery was a big loss, and wonder how much went down with the buildings during demolition. Back in the day it was said Durango was the Narrow Gauge Capitol of the world (Maybe Beebe??) and that was somewhat true with train lines in 4 directions. That would be the line to Chama, the line to Farmington, the line to Silverton, and the RGS to Ridgeway. But I always considered Alamosa more of the headquarters because it had the shops. It was the last shops after Salida closed and all the 3rd division was gone. Alamosa, like Durango had 4 lines, if you count the valley line to Salida. Today it still has 3 lines, the one over La Veta Pass, west toward Monte Vista, and Antonito. Like Salida there was NG and SG in Alamosa. So when the NG ended in 1968 it was the beginning of the end of Alamosa and its importance. Earl's idea that a shop was to be built in Chama was a good thought, that made sense, with no access to the old shop in Alamosa.
Alamosa was THE big railroad center in the region. Because there was a working SG operation it was impossible to use the shops at the time of the NG abandonment, although I suppose the D&RGW could have been nice and left the 3rd rail in there for access to the shop, but alas they wanted out of that business entirely.
Thats my windy diatribe for today!!! I missed Alamosa and its importance to D&RGW steam.
Greg