It could be Needleton. Did you notice the train order I posted earlier in this thread? 473 is part of the action described..... Boxcab E50
Yes, it's the Neddleton. Good Eye! Based on the documentation I have from this old trip this was built in 1882 by Jackson and Sharp. and it once had a Clerestory Roof and Bullnose Ends. It became #319 in 1886 with modifications made in 1904 (+1 Seat), 1922 (Lowered), 1937 (Rebuilt in Alamosa), 1940 (Windows), 1957 (remodeled again), and 1978 (repainted in Rio Grande Gold)
Here are some more of 473 from back in 1971. On the high line over the Animas River. Zoomed in. A little farther down the line.
Well, to round out the engines in the Train Order, here is 483. Here it is stored out of service in Chama. When the states of New Mexico and Colorado took over the Cumbres & Toltec section of the D&RG in 1970, it was the only running engine that it got in the deal. It was retired in 1977 because of worn out running gear and rear tube sheet. It can still one day be returned to service with major repairs. It hauled the last east bound passenger train out of Durango to Alamosa in November of 1968.
That photo was from June of 1998. Most likely it is still there. I doubt they would get rid of it. They only have so much money to keep a limited number of engines running at the same time. However the dry mountain air will keep it from rusting away. The paint may fade but under it all, it is still pretty solid. At some point in the future it is quite possible they will replace the boiler tubes and sheets and refurbish the running gear. Just takes money. This is one of the only two K-27 Mud Hens that survived. They managed to restore it to running condition. It was getting a minor overhaul the day I saw it back in the shop with the smoke box cover open.
Here is another one of 473. This time in Durango in July 1976. It is pulling the train up to the depot to load the passengers for Silverton. Check out the Narrow Gauge Fairmont speeder.
Now that it's been mentioned, I've always wondered- What is the reason behind a loco nickname such as "Mud Hen?" Boxcab E50
With all these wonderful exchanges of NG photos just from this area alone I started another topic to see how "Narrow Minded" everyone else might be. Hopefully that thread will turn out to be as much fun as this is being. Truly enjoying your photos their buddy and loom forward to more.
I punched it up on Google and came up with this right away. The Article [ 26. May 2004, 03:49: Message edited by: r_i_straw ]
One feature of some D&RGW narrow locos, which I have always felt really set them apart from any other steam on earth, was that offset smoke box door. Such as can be seen on the 476 pictured. If the numbers could not be seen, and the photo was uncaptioned, I'd still know immediately we were looking the Rio Grande. Boxcab E50
