Steam & Excursion > UP 844 and SLRG 18, Walsenburg, Co 11-4-12

As posted in other threads the San Luis & Rio Grande #18 and Union Pacific #844 steam locomotives were posed side by side in Walsenburg Colorado Sunday afternoon.
I don't know when the last time two hot steam locomotives were there at the same time but it had of been over 60 years ago.
Attached is a Steamy Slumber image of the two resting in the Rio Grande Yard on the west end of town.
100% Class act by both railroads!!!
Thank you all that make these things happen!
Nathan Z.
Colorado Springs, CO
http://www.nathanzachman.com/

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Is that a light fixture just ahead of the top of the stack on the 18? kind of a crafty way of seeing your stack color at night i guess.....


Jeff

Very cool. Thanks Nathan.

Jason Rose
Spring, TX
Rio Grande Explorations

Yep, smoke stack light. Helps fireman not overfire at night. A large number of oil burning engines had those although SP and AT%SF did not.

tomstp Wrote:
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> Yep, smoke stack light. Helps fireman not
> overfire at night. A large number of oil burning
> engines had those although SP and AT%SF did not.


Actually SP did install these on a number of locomotives, although I don't know about the Santa Fe. Commonly referred to as a "Density Light" to help to see the color of the smoke during night time running.

Do you have a wider shot to show of the two of them? Standing next to #18 late last summer, she felt pretty big....but kept remembering how very small she was next to ATSF3751 at Canyon Rails back in 2002. #18 sure is a great locomotive....those folks that make the high desert dash up into the mountains have a great ride.

Nice!

Steve Mitchell
http://www.yardgoatimages.com

Here are the two together.


OKTrainboys Wrote:
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> Do you have a wider shot to show of the two of
> them? Standing next to #18 late last summer, she
> felt pretty big....but kept remembering how very
> small she was next to ATSF3751 at Canyon Rails
> back in 2002. #18 sure is a great
> locomotive....those folks that make the high
> desert dash up into the mountains have a great
> ride.

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Here are a couple more while I'm at it.

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Sweet! I really like the last one, the rail height B&W close up.

GREAT photos and thanks for sharing with us!

This was a very classy gesture on the part of the SLRG people! Having made their last trip of the season, it was noted 844 planned to overnight in Walsenburg. Rather than immediately begin winter work, SLRG elected to make the trip and salute 844. In addition, I believe this was the first time the 18 had run from Alamosa to Walsenburg.

While it isn't evident in the photos, SLRG saw fit to make this already special event more so by placing the whistle from Union Pacific 2-10-2 #5020 on the 18. Any who had the chance to hear this whistle received a taste of Star Brass music.

I know the 844's crew was impressed with the manner in which 18's team saw to rapid greasing of running gear. Following unexpected delay in La Veta, 18 needed to return west as soon as possible and made it back to Alamosa with 15 minutes to spare before the conductor ran out of time, and the speedy work doping rods in Walsenburg accounted for a lot of those minutes. Good job, you guys!

In adddition, 844's crew went out of their way to hang around after a long day's work and wait for 18's arrival. The SLRG people appreciated this gesture! The 18 had been forced to wait at La Veta for a long cut of cars delivered to SLRG by UP, interchanged between the two at Walsenburg. Once the westbound train had cleared La Veta, the 18 could continue west. Ed Dickens and crew waited and greeted the 18 upon arrival. THAT was class, men.

This was an event I won't forget. Thanks to all!

John Bush
Omaha



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/08/12 18:22 by 4-12-2.