Georgetown Loop - No. 9 Will operate this week!!!!!!!

Colorado Steam!!!!!!!

I too was afraid and I know they have been hurting as the single engine could not pull very many cars so it was hurting revenue. Having this special engine added to the roster is a huge boost in many ways.

:shade: :shade: :shade: :shade:
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Yeah, I too was worried about the new operators. They went through some growing pains but really seem to be going strong now. There are still some resentments from some of the locals towards the new operators but I think it is more emothionally driven than rational.

Eric

 

Boxie,

It was incredable to hear them chug up the grade. I took some video with my camera but it was too big to post. I'll try to cut it down as the sound was great.

BTW, #9 definately seemed to have alot more umph in her boiler than #12 did.

Eric

 

Last I heard they are still trying to rebuild Denver and Northwestern #60(?) witch was a 2-8-0. That should give them enough power to pull the train without two locos. The old operators also had a 2-8-0 that took the train up single headed.

 

It amazes me that there was CHS money available for the project. I have been indirectly involved with CHS for many years. They had over 1/2 their budget confiscated for renovation of the Capital building in Denver. Hopefully there will be some available for the restoration of the D & NW engine.

 

According to the histories I have read of this engine the crews thought it was too light and had too many problems pulling trains. It may also have had other problems but I can't get much more info on it. I'll look for my link to the site.
John

 

Here's a short clip. The quality sucks royally but the sound is pretty cool. Listen to the different pitches between #9 and #12.

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/522/loop_movie_edit1.wmv

Eric

 

Several weeks ago I had the chance to take my family for a ride on the loop with the optional mine tour. All I can say is that every one should put this on their list of places to visit if they haven't already. Here a some pictures from our trip.

Ben

 

Here are a few more pictures.

Ben

 

Thanks for the shots and Eric thanks for the video! She is looking good and seems to be running well.
John

 

Bravo,

Those are great pics. Make me ashamed of mine. I just love that huge plow on the front and you got some great angles of it.

Eric

 

Anyone know where the plow came from? Is it ex-DRGW or did they manufacture it?
John

 

I would guess that Uhrich manufactured it. I've never seen a butterfly plow on a DRGW locomotive, although some C-19s like 346 were equipped with Bear Trap Stacks (but no plows) when they were leased to the C&S. Ironically, 346 -- being restored after years of use at the Colorado Railroad Museum -- had the distinction of being the oldest operating locomotive in the state, which is nothing to sneeze at considering the stable of horses in Durango and Chama. Now No. 9 is the oldest.

If I were Uhrich, and I didn't have a blueprint for the plow, I would have gone down to Idaho Springs and copied the one from #60 sitting outside the town hall.

 

Since this was a restoration job, I'll bet you are right and it was manufactured, or maybe they found an old C & S plow somewhere...
John

 

Thanks guys for the kind words! If I remember correctly the plow was not original and was put on during the restoration. I'll see what information that I can find.

Ben

 

You mean this one

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Darren, thanks for that!! I totally forgot about the one in Leadville!!
John