Bed-time for the Mudhen. After a day-long freight drag from Chama via Cumbres Pass, a trusty K-27 Mudhen is now in the hands of the shop crew at Antonito, Colorado. As the Engineer and Fireman who ran her today are having a couple of cool ones at a nearby establishment, the Mudhen will get a drink of her own......from the massive water tank in the yard. The loco will then be shuttled back to the engine house, where she'll be washed, and her rod bearings serviced with Alemite Grease Guns. Her fire will be maintained tonight, and in the morning, it will be cleaned at the ash pit. After the coal bunker is topped off, she'll be handed over to another crew at 6AM, and the freight drag will continue to Alamosa.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are all that remains of the legendary Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge system. Here you'll find some of my favorites from these two beautiful railways.