The recently “Shopped" RGS #41 made a “Shakedown” run to Rockwood Friday 11/17/23. Part 2 opens with the Rockwood departure, Shalona Crossing, Pinkerton Siding, Hermosa and “Pacing” in the dark south of Trimble. Several stops are made to inspect, lubricate and deal with a hot journal box on the tender on this break in run.
In part 1, the chase up the hill to Rockwood starts at Hermosa. I record this historic event at several locations along the way. This 142-year-old locomotive looks and sounds great. More, including day 2, "SHAKEDOWN", Pacing With Tonnage at, • The Rio Grande Souther... and The Last Rio Grande Southern Train Out Of Durango 11/27/23.
The 70-year-old RGS #41 was purchased by Knotts Berry Farm for the Ghost Town & Calico Railroad in 1951 and has spent the last 72 years running clockwise around the less than a mile circle.
The #41 was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1881 as a 2-8-0 Consolidation, for the D&RG as #409 "Red Cliff", sold to the RGS and renumbered #41 in 1916 and classified as a "C-19" in 1921. In Feb. 2022 the #41 was trucked to the Durango and Silverton RR for a complete rebuild and has been off limits to unauthorized photographs and videos till now.
ENJOY.