Re: Rocks, trees hamper train ride

When I rode the Silverton in June of '67 we had a small slide with one good sized rock in it come down in the talus slope area near MP 477 - not an uncommon occurance - and it caught us on the north side of the slide. The big rock had hit right on a rail joint on the river side and broke a foot off the end of each rail. It was 65 lb stuff that was being replaced and there was no spare replacements except in Durango.
Some of us got on the ground and helped R.D. Shock and his fireman Gibbs roll all the small rocks away (after Punk Blackstone - who sternly warned us not to help - had left on the popcar for Durango to get the rail and powder to blow the rock) leaving only the large rock to deal with. Ol' R.D. was grateful for the assistance of we younger bucks.
I tripped over a rusty track jack in the weeds and we oiled it up and used it to jack the big rock off the track and roll it towards the river. Imagine Punk's surprise when he returned to find the rock gone! R.D. Told him the railfans ate it. " />
I had a ball that day, so many years ago. Yes, when you leave the terminal on a mountain railroad you never know when or if you will return. It's part of the charm.