I don't know the entire answers to your question, as the guys who put the train together would probably have to answer it.
All I know is that during the 60's(the last decade of NG operations), what I recall seeing is rear pushers from Chama, with one engine up front.
From Antonito to Chama was mid-train helpers always. This is what Craft did, for the first time(mid-train helpers from Antonito)since the 60's in his 1992 trips.
My 1993 trips were designed to be 2 roundtrip hill turns in one day, with 2 engines. We decided to do mid-train helpers cut in at least 5-6 cars back, just to be a little different from the rear pusher.
However, when the track mess forced closure of the line around State-line curve, the railroad offered up a third engine, which was Rio Grande lettered as well. So, the first train we used on Saturday, was a doubleheader, with a rear pusher. At Lobato 497 had a mechanical problem with a piston ring or some such, and it had to be removed. During that incident is when I changed the nametag on my "Visions of Steam" name to "Snakebit Enterprises" on the hill below Dalton overlooking Lobato Trestle. From that point on we had two locos.
One train I wanted to do, we did on Sunday morning which was a mid-train helper with all lower cars, to give the appearance of an empty pipe train going back to Alamosa. Later on Sunday we turned an engine, and had a single engine train to Lobato, where a light helper passed us at the siding. We then switched the train, and made up a westbound back to Chama, where we ended west of the crossing as the train headed toward Gato, with Coker leaning over his truck as if repairing it.
I can't recall ever seeing pictures of 3 engine trains where one was mid-train, but it probably happened.
My question was why was a flanger placed between the two lead engines? Was there snow to deal with someplace?
Someone told me there was ads for next year and a two day trip was $800.00!!! Yikes, these pay for play trips are getting crazy expensive! Glad I did them 10 years ago in retrospect.
Steamingly,
Greg Scholl
