To celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the San Luis Central, the railroad operated a special passenger train on the 13-mile line from Monte Vista to Center in Colorado’s San Luis Valley. The railroad only owned one steam locomotive early in its history, a Baldwin 2-8-0 numbered 1, that was bought new in 1913 and retired in 1955. To help with celebrations, San Luis and Rio Grande relettered and renumbered their 2-8-0 No. 18, to SLC No. 1. On the eve of August 31, 2013, No. 1 simmers under the darkening skies at Monte Vista, Colorado, waiting for the next day’s festivities.
