Re: It was 1980

As I recall the first season of Bradshaws operation was 1981. We heard the plan was to strengthen the bridges for the bigger engines to operate which he later did.
We spent 4 days at Ah Wilderness around the 4th of July week that year. Shot the train leaving Durango on July 4th in fact, as the pair of K28's doubleheaded the train, and had big American Flags on the front of 476 leading.
While staying at the ranch we hiked 3 miles to the high bridge, and caught a train crossing one day. They had to split the two engines, and then recouple on the other side. I have sound movies of them blowing down the boilers as they crossed. We were the only ones there of course and from an elevated position I am sure nobody even knew we were there. After the bridge was strengthened this little operation of splitting the engines was not required again.
Greg Scholl
PS That 6 mile RT hike consummed the entire morning. There was a second train which was a single engine(the other K28), which we saw someplace between Tacoma and Ah Wilderness in the shadows.