Personal Projects, Photography, and Pointless Pontifications
Steam on La Veta Pass
Many of us never believed we would see regular passenger service over
La Veta Pass again, but the San Luis & Rio Grande proved us wrong
when they introduced a daily tourist train last spring. So, what could
they possibly do to top that? One word – steam. While Colorado is rich
with narrow gauge steam, we have no regular standard gauge steamers in
operation. Earlier this spring, the SLRG (aka Rio Grande Scenic
Railroad, for their passenger operations) purchased SP 1744, a 1901
Baldwin 2-6-0, with the intent of putting it into service on head end of
the La Veta Pass run.
The great benefit of 1744 was that had been completely rebuilt for
the New Orleans & Gulf Coast, but only operated for about six months
afterwards. It arrived in Alamosa on 1-May-2007, having been trucked
in from New Orleans. A small crew went to work putting all the pieces
together, and only about three weeks later on 20-May-2007, 1744 made
its first short trips around the Alamosa yard. Those were followed by a
test run to Antonito, and then a full-blown test over the La Veta
grades. On Saturday, 26-May-2007 – opening day for the Rio Grande
Scenic Railroad’s 2007 season – steam returned to La Veta Pass for the
first time in over fifty years.
For those interested in riding behind 1744, you can visit the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad’s website to check availability and purchase tickets. Remember that 1744 only runs on the weekends and on holidays, with diesels doing the rest of the work. (Note: This was true when published. However, 1744 only lasted a year in service, and as of when this is being moved to my new website – Mar 2020 – the RGSR / SLRG is in receivership and no further passenger service is expected.)
The new steamer has gotten most of the attention for the last two months, but the SLRG has also acquired a newly painted GE B39-8E, SLRG 8577. Here it is on Friday night, apparently being readied for the run over the hill with 8524.
Early Saturday morning, the crew readies 1744 for its first revenue run over to La Veta. The pressure’s up, so they’re just attending the smaller things – marker lamps, oiling the journal boxes, etc.
Like I said, hanging the marker lights…
About 0800h, the crew pulled 1744 up to the Alamosa depot for the opening ceremony
Part of Saturday morning’s ceremony was the usual ribbon-cutting photo-op. That’s Ed Ellis and his wife, Peggy, on the right holding the ceremonial scissors. As you might guess, no ribbons were harmed in the making of this shot. (Unfortunately, I lost my notes on the names and titles of everyone else seen here somewhere between Alamosa and Iowa… )
After the ribbon cutting, there were a few words from local dignitaries. First up was Farris Bervig, Mayor of Alamosa (seen here at the mic), followed shortly by Darius Allen, Alamosa County Commissioner (in the black hat, far right), and Ed Ellis (between the other two, in the dark blue coat), president of Iowa Pacific Holdings and the San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad.
1744 was taken back across the road to connect with the day’s four cars – the concessions car, two coaches, and the new parlor car.
Just past the east end of the Alamosa yard, 1744 picks up speed heading east
I was waiting at the east end of Blanca when they called over the radio that they’d be stopping at the west end for a quick inspection.
No problems found and back under way eastbound on the west side of Blanca. While 1744 will run on heavier oil eventually (recycled stuff, I’m told), the supply isn’t in place yet. Today she’s an honorary diesel, burning good ol’ #2 diesel fuel.
Through Fort Garland, the line starts out of the desert scrub of the eastern San Luis Valley up towards La Veta Pass. The grade doesn’t change much – the line has been climbing since Alamosa. The real climb (1.5-2.5%) starts about 13 miles east of here, at Russell.
Between Ft. Garland and Russell (where the railway and US Hwy 160 diverge to cross the mountains) is this shot from the highway, looking back at the railway curving along the southern banks of Sangre de Cristo Creek.
Standing on the banks of Wagon Creek, looking up on 1744 and passengers headed towards Sierra
Dropping downgrade between Occidental and La Veta, with Mount Mestas in the background.
Arriving at La Veta – notice the beautiful new asphalt passenger loading area. This parking lot can get a little muddy in the rain, so this is a great improvement.
A wider shot, showing 1744 and the old La Veta depot
I went off to lunch, and while I was gone, they wyed 1744. This is just a low-angle shot I rather liked.
With 1744 turned on the wye and back on the train, the crew is preparing it for the return trip. Water is coming via firehose from a hydrant several hundred feet off, and Steve Butler is wandering around with that orange 5 gallon bucket, topping off the journal boxes and other bearings with lube oil.
I’m pretty sure she’s full, guys. The man in the bowler hat is Earl Knoob, 1744’s engineer for that day. I believe the other gentleman is Charlie Shawcroft. (I understand they’re now watering on the wye tail, not in front of the depot as they did on the first day.)
A pile of angle bars sitting around La Veta, near the west wye switch. There’s still some light rail down here – love that 115 to 85 pound connector!
Leaving La Veta for the return run to Alamosa. The time is about 1430h.
Charging back up the 3% grade to the summit at a crossing about three miles west of town.
Nearly two hours after leaving La Veta, the train finally appears around a curve between Sierra and Russell
This is from a hillside near Russell, taken from the opposite side of the tracks as photo #13 but in the same general area.
And headed on west towards Fort Garland…
Once again, looking down at 1744 as it winds along Sangre de Cristo Creek, just east of Mortimer (between Russell and Fort Garland, as seen from US Hwy 160)
The next look at 1744 is as it pops out from behind the Conoco oil facility at Fort Garland.
Despite being 80 in the valley, the Sangres still have snow on them in the background
Heading east through the agricultural area just west of Fort Garland
And finally, back at the Alamosa depot right around 1800h.
1744’s crew poses in front of the engine after a successful first revenue trip. From left to right, Earl Knoob, Steve Butler, and Charlie Shawcroft.
One of the new features this year is a dedicated parlor-class car with an observation end. It was constructed out of SLRG 1, a car recently purchased from the Indiana Rail Road. The vestubule has been opened up and new railings installed, as well as a glass wall between the seating area and the platform.
Just kind of an artsy shot of 1744 sitting at the Alamosa station, showing off its new Rio Grande-inspired logo on that enormous tender.
After unloading the passengers from both 1744’s La Veta train and 8577’s Antonito train, both went off to wye at the east end of town. Here’s 1744 reversing into the Alamosa yard, with 8577 following shortly behind.
All photographs in this trip report were taken with a Canon EOS 20D using either a Canon 24-105mm F4 L IS/USM or a Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS/USM.
This work is copyright 2022 by Nathan D. Holmes, but all text and images are licensed and reusable under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license. Basically you’re welcome to use any of this as long as it’s not for commercial purposes, you credit me as the source, and you share any derivative works under the same license. I’d encourage others to consider similar licenses for their works.
