Re: Riding and Chasing the 1966 RMRRC Alamosa-Silverton Excursion

The 15th and last Rocky Mountain Railroad Club Memorial Day Rio Grande narrow gauge excursion arrived pretty much on time into Alamosa, and I spent another night in a $3 room at the Victoria hotel. The story of that last RMRRC excursion was not quite over however, as the passenger cars were needed for Silverton service in Durango.

Early the next morning 473 headed out of Alamosa for Durango. Here the empty train has stopped briefly for water at the La Jara tank.



The straight 3-rail track allowed 473 to run at a 25-30 mph speed most of the way to Antonito, making for some great parallel pacing



The train stopped in Antonito to take on coal for 473, but I did not linger for long as I wanted to get ahead and catch the train at the Whiplash



I did get to the Whiplash ahead of the train, and managed to hike to the top level of track, but just barely



Here 473 is storming along on the upper level of the Whiplash. The blue VW beetle is just visible in the middle of the lower loop.