With a little help from a friend.... Although the train is a heavy, peak tourist season consist, the Georgetown Loop #111's last run to Silver Plume this day will be a cake-walk, thanks to a little assist from the line's Diesel Locomotive #130. Earlier in the afternoon, the 111 had stalled up on the hill and was unable to get going on the grade up at High Fill. The 130 was dispatched from Silver Plume and quickly rescued the 111. For this last run of the day, the crews elected to doublehead the two to ensure a smooth trip. The pair are pictured here on the Devil's Gate High Bridge having just departed the station minutes before.
It should be noted that this is a relatively unusual operation, which happened a few times during the 111's first few weeks in operation. Once the crews got used to running her, the diesel was no longer needed. The line pretty much runs steam during most peak-season tourist operations, using either West Side Shay #9, or the 111 pictured here. A second rod engine, the former IRCA #40 has recently been repatriated to the Loop from its temporary home at the Colorado Railroad Museum. It is now under restoration and will join the 111 at some point in the next couple of years.
