[motor1]

It's October 5, 1948, K-27 #453 departs Durango at 10 AM with 3 loads, 33 empties. After running in the valley, the train stops to add the helper*.

Crew: Conductor Bruce, Engine 453 engineer: S Connor & engineer Houck for the helper*.

Consist:

Loads: 2 coal Silverton & combine 212.

Empties: 17 empty box Silverton, 15 empty gons Silverton & a caboose.


* The helper was C-25 #375, but I used C-21 #360.

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[motor1]

The helper assists the train to Rockwood, decouples, & runs light along the Hi-Line. The northbound train spends 10 minutes in Rockwood unloading merchandise, the traverses the Hi-Line.


Tonnage Ratings for the Silverton Branch:

K-27 Class: 735 tones Durango to Hermosa; 315 tones Hermosa to Silverton; & 800 tones Silverton to Durango.

K-28 Class: same as above.

C-21 Class: 380 tones Durango to Hermosa; 150 tones Hermosa to Silverton; & 500 tones Silverton to Durango.

& for the 375: 675 tones Durango to Hermosa; 290 tones Hermosa to Silverton; & 750 500 tones Silverton to Durango.

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[motor1]

After the helper couples to the northbound train, it rolls through Tacoma, stops at MP 474 to unload merchandise (10 minutes), then the engines take on water at Cascade Creek Tank, & rolls over the bridge at Tefft.

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[motor1]

The train stops at Needleton tank so that the helper can get more water before getting underway again.

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[motor1]

After rolling through Elk Park, the train pulls into Silverton at 2:45 PM.

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After 2 hours 20 minutes switching & letting the crew eat, the southbound Silverton leaves Silverton at 5:05 PM with 19 loads, 1 empty. After a while, the train rolls over the Animas at Elk Park. The helper left Silverton 30 minutes before the southbound train left.


Loads: 14 ore Leadville, 2 ore Amarillo,2 loads, & combine 212

The empty is the caboose.

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[motor1]

The 453 takes on water at the Needleton Tank, rolls over the bridge at Tefft, & rolls through Tacoma.

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The train crosses the High Bridge & traverses the High Line.

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The train rolls through Rockwood, descends Hermosa Hill, & rolls through Hermosa.

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After rolling over the 15th street bridge, the train rolls through the Durango yard, & pulls into the depot at 9:05 PM.

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