Steam & Excursion > She Was Already A Special Locomotive Before Playing This Role!

There are certain steam locomotives of the past century that are instantly recognizable in a photograph no matter how they may be portrayed or even disguised.  This is one such locomotive.

Parked here next to the coal chute in Durango in obvious movie garb is one of the most famous narrow gauge 4-6-0's ever to operate in this country.  Her distinctive ALCO lines give her away as none other than Rio Grande Southern #20.  She is spotted for servicing still wearing the movie paint for her role as "Emma Sweeny" in the 1950 production of "A Ticket To Tomahawk".  She sports a balloon stack, a fake oil headlight,  fancy paint and a small light in place of her distinctive number plate as part of her make-over for her starring role in this Western movie.

Today, #20 is being prepared for her return to Colorado following her initial restoration at Strasbourg.  When she arrives back at her permanent home in the roundhouse at Golden, Colorado, Jeff Taylor and his crews will begin the final re-assembly of #20 so that she may indeed run once again, this time at the Colorado Railroad Museum.

#20's fame will only continue to grow over time.  Deservedly so.

Martin



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 04/02/19 03:06 by LoggerHogger.

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Nice pic.  The small light on the smokebox was because the nice Hollywood oil headlight was simply a movie prop and nonfunctional.

A slight nit pick.  #20 was built by Schenectady  (sp?), a bit before ALCO came on the scene.

I gather that the small functional headlight was removed when the cameras were running?   Why was it needed at all?