| Posted by on November 28, 2016 | |
It appears there may have been some good ole whistle swapping going on even on the Rio Grande back then. Up until 1987 the 3105 sports the standard (for the Grande) Nathan M3 whistle. Then photos after 87 show a Leslie SL4T gracing the cab roof. The last picture I can find in 2005 shows what appears to be the standard K3.There is only one place I know of that had SL4T's and that was Amtrak SDP40F's 500-540.....I wonder if the ole 3105 did a trip on Amtrak and some eager beaver had some time in a siding and a wrench!!! I sure would have liked to hear it............
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| Posted by bradley on November 28, 2016 | |
The flatbeds are interesting. You just don't see flats on piggyback. I do recall readding that one large flatbed company was starting to use container decks that have bulkheads that allow them to be stacked.
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Details...details. Can't help to notice that solid black ballast. Would this be volcanic in origin? You would rarely see something like this in the Midwest unless it was coal slag. Was this common to the Rio Grande and if so, where were the quarries? Nice railroading shot of prairie meeting mountains.
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Another Belmont classic. Thanks for the memories.
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For 'C.M.St.P.& P.': The Rio Grande used 'smelter slag' for its ballast needs systemwide. It was extremely durable, drained well, and was resistant to the growth of weeds. The Grande had ballast sources in both Colorado and Utah. Most of it has been removed since the Union Pacific assimilated the former D&RGW lines.
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Thanks for the update Jim.
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