Denver & Rio Grande Western C18 #315
July 6-9, 2008
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In June and July 2008, the Durango Railroad Historical Society operated the newly rebuilt C18 #315 on the C&T. Because there are no records showing that 315 ever operated on this portion of the Rio Grande and because this was truly a historic event, I simply couldn't miss it. This also marked the first time a C class locomotive had visited the area in roughly 50 years! So, after some negotiations with my loving wife, I made plans to head north to Narrow Gauge Country in early July. Even though I didn't accomplish every mission I laid out in my thoroughly packed agenda, the trip was far more successful than I could have ever imagined. I had an absolute BLAST and can't wait to return to God's Country in 2009!
Most of these shots are from the July 7, 2008 trip of Stock Extra 315 West - Antonito, CO to Chama, NM The remainder of the shots are from the Cumbres Turn that the 315 recreated on July 9, 2008. The Durango Railroad Historical Society has done a stunning job of bringing this priceless steam locomotive back from the dead. |
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315 in Antonito on July 6 |
Moving out of the Antonito Engine House on the morning on July 7 |
Coupling onto the train |
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Coupling onto the train |
Engineer Soni Honegger |
Oiling Around |
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Filling the Sand Dome |
John Parker Lighting the Lamps |
Oiling Around |
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Cleaning the Bell |
Gotta Love the Water Bag |
The Crew |
Antonito Native |
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Ferguson Trestle - MP 285.9 |
Heading West from Ferguson Trestle |
MP 289.1 |
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MP 289.1 - The smell of the sage this morning was incredible. This is a rather different environment from my usual routine of fighting big city traffic, pollution, and smog! |
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MP 289.1 |
Lava, CO - MP 291.5 |
315 at Lava Tank It was a cold, overcast morning. The light breeze carried the sweet fragrance of sage. It was perfect... |
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Passing Lava Tank |
DRGW 0579 at MP 300.5 |
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MP 300.5 |
Conductor John Parker in 0579 |
Heading Towards Sublette |
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Here's the view from the Cupola of DRGW 0579. This is the only way to travel! Cool breeze, coffee mug in hand, fresh mountain air, car gently swaying, the sound of steel wheels on jointed rail, spectacular scenery, and coal smoke. HEAVEN! |
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Approaching the remote mountain town of Sublette, CO. A Rio Grande Section House and supporting structures still exist here. |
Arriving at Sublette |
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Sublette, CO as viewed from 0579 |
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The Air Pressure Gauge |
More Views from 0579. This was my first ride in a Caboose. Gotta say, I LOVED it! |
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More Views from 0579 |
MP 308 |
View West from MP 308 |
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View West from MP 308 |
View East from MP 308 |
MP 308 |
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These four shots were taken about 30 feet above track level near MP 308 |
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This is also at MP 308. Not sure why I like this shot other than it reminds me of a Cross and is original to the Rio Grande. |
Routine Maintenance while stopped at Toltec Siding (MP 311) for a meet with the CO-NM Express West |
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DRGW 315 in Toltec Siding - MP 311 |
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CO-NM Express West with 484 in the lead, overtakes Stock Extra 315 West at Toltec Siding. My father is on the regular. |
View West from the Platform of 0579 |
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315 Exiting Rock Tunnel - I'll bet the engine crew had a hard time breathing with all the smoke added for photo effect!! |
My Father and his wife are on the CO-NM Express West as it leaves Osier, CO. We had hoped to be able to have lunch together, but my train was running too late make the meet at Osier. |
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Me at Osier. Not a great shot, but the only one I have of me at this location. |
Osier, CO. Home of the world famous chef Stephen Flowers. And, once again his turkey lunch with all the fixins did NOT disappoint! Mr. Flowers, you da man! |
Cascade Trestle |
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Cascade Trestle - MP 319.9 |
View East from Cascade Trestle Los Pinos River Gorge |
View South (RR East) from MP 324.5 in the Los Pinos Valley |
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View South (RR East) from MP 324.5 in the Los Pinos Valley |
315 and part of an old Snow Fence |
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Negotiating the ever popular Tanglefoot Curve |
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West End of Tanglefoot Curve |
Conductor Alan Loomis gave us one heckuva great trip! |
Heading West around Windy Point View from rear of 0579 |
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DRGW 315 rests quietly in Chama Yard after a hard days work. These are some of my favorite shots from the trip. There's no real talent here of course, just blind luck. |
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Awaiting the next call to duty battling the 4% grades of Cumbres Pass |
Backing through the yard early on the morning of July 9th. |
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Preparing for a Cumbres Turn |
Heading up to Cumbres with the first turn of the day. Wednesday, July 9, 2008 |
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Between Labato and Dalton - the train stopped for a photo run-by. I chose to chase this day because I rode on Monday, July 7th. |
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West of the 2nd Crossing |
At Coxo, CO. These photos were taken from Windy Point. |
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"Goose Lake?" - "Otto Lake?" |
Heading up to Windy Point |
Rounding Windy Point |
Heading to Cumbres |
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One Turn complete, 315 heads back down to Chama for the rest of the train. |
Turn #2 at the 2nd Hwy 17 Crossing |
Approaching the old Hwy 17 Pile Trestle |
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315 and the Car Inspectors House |
Waiting to High Ball |
Leaving the Pass with the full train |
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"Goose Lake?" - "Otto Lake?" |
West End of Cresco Siding |
2nd Hwy 17 Crossing, Heading West |
West of the 2nd Crossing |
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Entering Chama Yard after making 2 Cumbres Turns. Not a bad days work for a piece of machinery built long before ANY of us were born! |
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