Re: D&RGW 5605

As noted above, the 5605 was bought by Scenic Rys from the scrapper, along with several other stock cars about 1971. Around 1976 is was semi-converted to passenger use for the "second section" train developed to run between Cumbres and Sublette and return on sold out days (the train used the helper for power). In addition to the 5605, there were 3-4 boxcars that had one side opened up and the "Tahoe Gon" (itself a conversion from a 6300 class flat) was pressed into service. Stock car 5635 was made into a caboose and restroom car for this train.
With the start of the 2-train format in 1980, the Tahoe Gon became the gon for the Antonito train and one of the 1/2 converted boxcars became the second concession car. The rest of the box cars were used for tour groups that got on and off the train at Cumbres. As these cars were left at Cumbres, they naturally became known as the "Cumbres Cars".
When the contract with Scenic Ry's was cancelled in 1982, all of thier assets were available for purchase by the Commission. They chose to only purchase the concession car, Tahoe Gon and 05635. The rest went up for sale. 2 of Scenic's stock cars went up to Cimmarron, the rest went to the D&SNG. The last real use of 5605 was as a rider car on Bill Peter's stock train in Sept, 1980. The "Cumbres Cars" got sold to the Rio Chama RV Campground, where they are still located.
I get a kick out of seeing 5605 every day in Silverton. Peter's gang quickly lettered it D&RGW in 1980, but the C&TS has faded through resulting in "DC&RTGSW" (make up your own rr for that one!)
Just north of it is another stock car still lettered "TPRR" (Texas Pacific) for a movie we shot on the C&TS in the fall of 1980.