Putting her to the test. Just weeks after emerging from a complete rebuild, the Georgetown Loop's former IRCA Locomotive #111 is being put to the test, handling the longest and heaviest trains during the peak fall foliage season, without the diesel assist that she had during her break-in period. And although she's laboring a bit, on this run up the hill, she's passing the test. Just below Morningstar Siding, she's pulling hard with less than 5 minutes to go to reach Silver Plume. On the very next run, the 111 would stall out at High Fill, and would need an assist from Diesel Locomotive #130. After that the railroad elected to double-head her with the 130 for the rest of the day's activities.
Note the presence of both peak fall foliage and snow in the shadows in this scene. It's just the first week of October and there's already snow here at the 9,000 ft. level.
