Steam & Excursion > SLRG does an encore

SLRG ran a photo stop version on its every Saturday winter train again this past weekend. I don't know how they plan it, but the weather was just as good as on the first run in January. A few shots from the Saturday run.

see last months posting on the passener board and info where the SLRG operates.

1. An ailing F unit and "The Moose" rest in Alamosa yard.
2. Prior to departure today's power backs onto the consist
3. First runby about MP 212, just about 1 mile east of Sierra.

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Next photo spot was at Fir,the summit. Same location as last time, but different locomotive. If you want to "run around" a bit at 9000 feet you can get seveal different viewpoints as the train backs around muleshoe curve and into the S curves for an uphill runby .

Although the sun was out, a very strong (40 MPH +) wind made the sub freezing temps feel even colder.

1, 2. Muleshoe curve as the train backs down for the runby. Someone has constructed a cabin a few hundred yards in back of the old stock pen which limits photo ops from this site.

3. Same shot as posted last month, different power. The "S" curves, especially from the summit, always offer a range of photo ops. As the sun changes, later in the year, some great views can be taken about 100 yards to the right of this spot, but due to the winter time sun angle makes for limited options.

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1. Again at Fir Summit, taken from the new "Station". From the previous shot to this one the train has traveled almost 2 miles around Mule Shoe curve, so plenty of time to relocate 100 feet to a new photo position.

2. Last runby at east end of Occidental Siding, LaVeta is only about 7 miles to go,

3. As has become traditional on the SLRG, Fred Hargrove joins the train on the return trip (this time at Sierra) and treats passengers to some great acoustic guitar cowboy and railroad music,including variations on "The City of New Orleans".


yes, a bit of a drive to get to Alamosa from almost anywhere, but with no Ski Train, at $49 a ticket, one of Colorado's better winter train options.

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Pic 2, what are the side rods from?

What's wrong with the F unit? What's the heritage on it?

That would be a crisp ride in the open air rear car on a day like that. The kids had a great time riding through the tunnels on it however in 2009.

The F unit is a former GM&O F-3 that went to the MBTA and from there to SLRG. As to what is wrong with it only Earl might know.

The F-unit is suffering from either bad piston rings or is idling to much. It is more likely a combination of all of the above. It's getting cold, not being allowed to warm up to proper operating temp before being work hard which is causing it to throw pooled up crankcase oil lying in the manifold out the exhaust stacks when it is throttled up and also is running down the carbody.

I have the similar problem with a certain former Missabe SD-M on the North Shore Scenic Railroad that engineers just fire up after it has cooled down to below 100 degrees after a couple days, then the engineer sit down and think they can notch it up to a higher RPM like a car instantaneously. No matter how many time I tell them to let it warm up for a bit before putting a load behind it they don't listen then complain to me that it is throwing oil out the stacks.

Kent



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/28/12 10:25 by SooLine700.

Ok, so the question has to be asked - where's the steamer?

Probably in the enginehouse, rods are most likely off the other Consol (18??)
which is not being restored at the moment.

rehunn Wrote:
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> Probably in the enginehouse, rods are most likely
> off the other Consol (18??)
> which is not being restored at the moment.

#18 is the operable 2-8-0, most likely undergoing yearly inspection/repairs currently. #20 is the other ex-LS&I, ex-Grand Canyon RR loco. Not sure what the long term plans are for this engine as I think ex-SP 2-6-0 #1744 would be next in line to return to steam, time and money permitting.

-James

Other posts on the passenger board (check for SLRG) have suggested #20 will eventually be restored to running conditon, however a lot of work will be required. The rods in question on the photo may be from #20. #18 is getting its annual TLC winter repairs and is supposed to be ready for opening tourist runs on Memorial weekend. From what I hear the boiler for 1744 is still back east, so don't look for anything but the 18 this year.

If they ever can offer a two day winter excurson with steam it should be a sell out. With the distance and time needed for runpasts between Alamosa and LaVeta, it would take two days to get it right. The low winter sun and early darkness would make a one day round trip just about impossible with photo stops.

So where is the engine house. When I was there a few years ago the crews had to work under tarps during the winter?

The "steam" engine house is located about 1/2 mile due east of where the F unit shot was taken, next to the eastbound mainline. Single stall one door at each end to get things in and out.

The new passenger car work shop (and I suppose freight car work shop if needed?) is located about 200 feet east of the Alamosa Depot and visitors center (about 1/4 mile east of the F unit shot), again next to the main. It has several tracks that go in at each end and room to paint and rework passenger cars. The passener car shop area is surrounded by a high chain link fence with gates at the east end of the property.

Both are situated south of the mainline track.

Thanks for all the fine photos. Glad to see you are enjoying retirement!

The 1744 should be out in 2013 and the 20 in 2014. We have purchased most of the material for the 20, but there will be a lot of manhours, and as you suggest, the 18 is getting the usual winter overhaul.

The new shop, shown here, can be used for locos and cars, and will allow us to do more work, and more comprehensive work, than we could do outside. We are really grateful to have it.

frntinplate Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Other posts on the passenger board (check for
> SLRG) have suggested #20 will eventually be
> restored to running conditon, however a lot of
> work will be required. The rods in question on
> the photo may be from #20. #18 is getting its
> annual TLC winter repairs and is supposed to be
> ready for opening tourist runs on Memorial
> weekend. From what I hear the boiler for 1744 is
> still back east, so don't look for anything but
> the 18 this year.
>
> If they ever can offer a two day winter excurson
> with steam it should be a sell out. With the
> distance and time needed for runpasts between
> Alamosa and LaVeta, it would take two days to get
> it right. The low winter sun and early darkness
> would make a one day round trip just about
> impossible with photo stops.

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EEE the new car shop looks great thanks for sharing. Will the Alamosa yard Webcam be up and running again any time soon?