The "other" two ex-EBT hoppers......

Fred and Kevin,

Practically speaking, two more hoppers at this time would not provide any immediate advantage. Diesel #19, when it is operating , is maxed out with three loaded hoppers and this is when loading uphill and running downhill loaded to spread. There are also the converted BA&P hoppers for ballast work. A K-36 would be required to pull longer ballast trains. And while it would be fabulous for us foam..ah, railfans for the RR to use the K's for ballasting work, in reality, it just adds boiler time to the loco without providing revenue when used in MOW service. Additionally, using a steam loco in MOW service is much more of a hassle considering the engine servicing, keeping the tender full of water, etc. FWIW, the Antonito shop crew (?) has more pressing work to do than to refurbish the two remaining hoppers at this time.

(Maybe we can get the FEBT guys to come out for some fun in the sun and rehab them? )

However, all that being said about K's in ballast service, as Bill Noe reports over at the Goat, the #19 is presently broke down and Marvin is running the 487 in ballast service out of Chama to Lobato. Once again, necessity trumps logic.

But, yes, even though I have D&RGW running thru my veins, I just love those EBT hoppers (and the EBT). And I'd love to have seen them with the flying Rio Grande herald on long freights winding thru Monero canyon or around Tanglefoot Curve behind double headed K's. Hmm, I wonder how many of these hoppers the 315 could haul loaded upgrade.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/23/2007 08:05AM by Mark Valerius.