seat, you can feel the history wash over as you slide that side window open, lean out, look back down the train, and see the conductor standing smartly on the platform with gloved hand on the upper grab iron peering forward along the train, oil lantern in his other hand. Your nose picks up a wisp from the kerosene marker lamps burning brightly mounted at the rear of the caboose. Aside from the modern radio hanging on the wall for operational convenience, little has changed inside the caboose built in 1881. By now the heat from the coal stove
below is rising and mixing with the inviting smell from the metal coffee pot simmering on its top. Your smile completes the story. Yes, the time machine has been activated, and we have arrived at our destination. The modern world has completely
melted away. Our charter train on this day would have No. 473, one of ten K-28 locomotives built by the American Locomotive Works in 1923 for the Rio Grande narrow gauge lines. The entire passenger train is finished in the colorful “Bumble Bee” scheme including silver trucks and steps, yellow clerestory above the roof, and proper double stripes along the sides. With the aspens in full glory, the engine and coaches appear to have just jumped out of nature’s splendor and fit in perfectly.
50 DECEMBER 2015 •
RAILFAN.COM
TOP: Southbound from Silverton, a charter crosses the Animas River about two miles south of Silverton with the 473 in the “Bumble Bee” scheme. No. 473 was repainted to replicate the 1950 short-lived scheme which she wore until derailing into the Animas River while returning from Silverton in 1951.
ABOVE: Engineer Soni Honegger cleans a headlight reflector prior to an early morning departure from Chama, N.M., on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in 2006.
OPPOSITE TOP: With brake club in hand, conductor Rich Millard watches switching operations in Rockwood, Colo., on the Durango & Silverton.
OPPOSITE: Sometimes it takes two to tango as conductor Millard and trainman Steve Wasiura wrestle to release a brake wheel that was set with a club.
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