"Great regret" is an understatement... I was crushed when Olaf and the train disappeared into the mysterious terra incognita east of Cumbres. Before I was old enough to travel independently, the narrow gauge main line was no more. Then a miracle called the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad happened! While it still pains me that I never got to ride the line west of Chama, I am very grateful to all those who saved the most scenic part of the main line and have enjoyed many memorable trips between Chama and Antonito since then.
As a consolation, my parents consented to chasing the 498 helper engine back down the hill. I still remember the strange squishing sound it made. Was that just the sound of the snifter valves, or do the valves and pistons actually perform some braking action? If so, how does the braking action on a K-37 work?