End of Standard Gauge. This image was an effort to re-create the 1950 Bob Richardson photo that the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec used to advertise the 2016 Flanger Charter. That historic photo depicted a D&RGW Flanger outfit heading west out of Antonito, passing the sign that is located at the end of the dual-gauge trackage. If you look behind the caboose, you'll see the last of the 3-rail which originated up in Alamosa, some 28 miles to the north. It allowed both standard and narrow gauge trains to run between Alamosa and Antonito, and even allowed some operations with mixed gauge equipment...which was relatively unique. Although there are some background elements now that did not exist back in the mid-1900s, and the old code lines which once adorned the left side of this scene are gone, this image and the historic one do look remarkably similar. The only key thing missing in the consist is a Jordan Spreader, and with a restoration effort underway by The Friends, we may have one operational within a year or two.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are all that remains of the legendary Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge system. Here you'll find some of my favorites from these two beautiful railways.
