Andy,
I was there in May of 1968. The first run from Alamosa had one of the K28's, or two of them as I recall, leading the freight to Chama and to Durango.
When we showed up, we chased the loads from that first train down to Farmington with 478. Returned to Durango with mostly empty boxes. The next day 498 took a train to Chama, and we followed it as far as Gato(roads not direct after that, and it was getting late). On that same day the second freight of the year left Alamosa with 483 and 493. Both trains, and the Scholl family wound up in Chama that night.
The next morning all three engines were serviced in Chama by one hostler, and the engines were turned on the wye. The 498 left first hauling the loaded pipe train west toward Durango. We shot it leaving, then waited for 483 and 493(rear pusher), to tackle Cumbres Pass.
A side note here, Earl told me that 478 was dispatched from Durango, and was used as a helper from Gato to Durango(doubleheading with 498)on that same day.
We followed the train to Cumbres(no second turn), and 493 ran light ahead of the freight led by 483. Shot them both to Los Pinos, then went to Antonito to wait for 493. Chased, and paced the 493 light to Alamosa.
Dad inquired about the next run from Alamosa, and no definitive answer could be gotten, so we went sightseeing for a few days, including a trip to the roundhouse in Belen, NM, and El Paso to ride street cars. After several days, and calls back to Alamosa, dad gave up, and we headed back to Ohio. Hey, at least he tried. I think the next run was less than a week later, so we almost got it too.
Anyway it waa a fun and historic 3 days of freights in the last year of D&RGW freight operations on the narrow gauge. We have 8mm of some of this plus some slides. Another reader here, John West caught the next run which we missed. I think there were only 5 complete roundtrips in 1968, so between us we got about 40% of them!!
Steamingly,
Greg Scholl
PS Prior to 68 we were there in 54,56,60,61,66,and 67(I missed that one but my brother has slides of the 67 trip or B&W, but for some reason we have no movies).