Re: 56 Years Ago Today - 493 and 483 on last Flanger-Spreader run
| January 26, 2022 12:47AM |
The train disappeared briefly from our view, but before long it reappeared on the middle level of the Whiplash
The train disappeared again as it worked around the big loop of the upper Whiplash, and appeared again on the top level
This was our final view of the flanger spreader outfit as it made it's way toward Big Horn
We could only wonder what adventures lay ahead for the crew of the flanger spreader train. We did not know then that this would be the last time the Rio Grande ran a flanger spreader outfit. After all these years I can't remember why we did not drive around via Espanola to Chama to meet the train, even though it surely would have been dark by then. But then the University was probably too demanding - this was final exam week for the fall semester, which meant we did not have exams every day and could break away for an adventure in narrow gauge country.
As it was, we first had to think about getting back to Antonito. Where we finally stopped the car was not an ideal place to turn around, and it took us about an hour to line up the car in the downhill direction. Then there was still that 7 or 8 hour drive back to Las Cruces. I was glad that Nguyen was along to share the driving. I should note here that one primary incentive for Nguyen to come along on this trip was to see snow for the first time. I think he got a memorable introduction to both snow and cold.
The train disappeared again as it worked around the big loop of the upper Whiplash, and appeared again on the top level
This was our final view of the flanger spreader outfit as it made it's way toward Big Horn
We could only wonder what adventures lay ahead for the crew of the flanger spreader train. We did not know then that this would be the last time the Rio Grande ran a flanger spreader outfit. After all these years I can't remember why we did not drive around via Espanola to Chama to meet the train, even though it surely would have been dark by then. But then the University was probably too demanding - this was final exam week for the fall semester, which meant we did not have exams every day and could break away for an adventure in narrow gauge country.
As it was, we first had to think about getting back to Antonito. Where we finally stopped the car was not an ideal place to turn around, and it took us about an hour to line up the car in the downhill direction. Then there was still that 7 or 8 hour drive back to Las Cruces. I was glad that Nguyen was along to share the driving. I should note here that one primary incentive for Nguyen to come along on this trip was to see snow for the first time. I think he got a memorable introduction to both snow and cold.
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
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