John West Wrote:
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> I had always assumed that Cumbres turns used that
> missing section to pull into the siding when
> leaving a cut of cars at Cumbres. But apparently
> the DRGW used the west end of the long siding for
> leaving MOW cars at Cumbres, most of my pix
> through the years show gons stored there. This
> picture is from 1960.
>
> [attachment 93443 DRGWcum491hoghead1000.jpg]
>
> When leaving Alamosa-bound cuts on the east end of
> long or south siding (back in the days of two
> Cumbres turns before a run through) apparently it
> was easier to pull down the main and shove back
> through the crossover. I think the first cut was
> left west of the crossover, the second cut shoved
> back through the east switch, and the tird cut
> would be left on the main while they doubled the
> train together. I think I have that right but am
> open to corrections....Earl?
>
> Would be an interesting operation to recreate if
> we ever run another really long charter freight.
>
> JBWX
I think that is how they did it. Replicating that will be tough with the far east siding switch pulled out. I wish they would quit tearing up "unneeded" track and switches. Preservation is preservation regardless of whether it is locomotives, rolling stock, structures or track.