[motor1]

It's April 11, 1935, K-37 #490 departs Alamosa at 7:45 AM with 38 loads 17 empties. The train is then seen running down the San Luis Valley.

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[atsf37l]

Funny you should do that run. Last night I began the operations of June 12, 1967, for which I was present: Extra 487 with 498 coupled. South of La Jara at 30+ MPH:


Nice job on the repaint, by the way.

[motor1]

The train stops in La Jara for 10 minutes to do "local"* before continuing the run to Antonito.

* probably to unload merchandise.


Nice shot Herb. You should a episode on the activity that day.

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[motor1]

After rolling over a bridge the train pulls into Antonito at 9:45 AM.

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[motor1]

After the 490 got coal & water (15 minutes), along with 1 hour setting out and picking up and placing coal on the chute, the train departs Antonito at 11:00 AM with 22 loads 12 empties at a tonnage of 733 tons*; the train rolls over Fergunson's Trestle, & passes the tank at Lava**.


* A K-37 can handle 840 tons between Antonito & Cumbres.

** The first tank at the site was burned down in the early 1970's & the tank from Antonito was moved to the site, & hasn't been used since, although there is a crew working at the pump house today, and someday, the tank could be put back in service.

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[motor1]

The train stops at Big Horn for 10 minutes to "work supply cars", & stops in Sublette.

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[motor1]

After the crew (including Conductor Hurley, & Engineer Riley) ate lunch (20 minutes) and spending 15 minutes cleaning fire and the ash pans, the train gets underway again, & is next seen rolling through Mud Tunnel.

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[motor1]

After going through Rock tunnel, the train stops at Osier to "work supply cars", & pick up 7 empties*.


* these 7 cars were left at Osier a couple days earlier by a freight that had to leave the cars because of a storm.

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[motor1]

After leaving Osier, the train rolls over Cascade Creek trestle, & pulls into the siding at Los Pinos. After 35 minutes, the eastbound San Juan passes & the train (X490 west) begins the final climb to Cumbres & passes the Los Pinos Tank.

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[motor1]

After rounding Tanglefoot Curve, the train rolls into Cumbres at 5:10 PM. There was a Cumbres Turn earlier in the day, & 14 loads, 3 empties wait to be taken to places east.

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