On further thought, if the “Valley Line”, the narrow gauge route that left Alamosa somewhat east of the station on the standard gauge La Vita Pass line and ran almost directly north to Salida had been in place, it might have replaced the La Vita Pass route for the oil-well pipework. But I never learned about bridge traffic being handled on the RGS. From what I read (since I never got to ride the line) local, originating, and terminating traffic was all that was handled. Someone might correct me if I am in error. But from what I remember from photos, not only did D&RGW narrow gauge freightcars get handled, but also on occasion Colorado Southern (Denver South Park and Pacific) cars. The RGS never actually bought new anything larger than a 2-8-0. It leased or purchased second-hand Mudhen 2-8-2’s from the D&RGW, but the three larger classes of 2-8-2’s stayed on D&RGW rails. I do have two good friends who rode the RGS and told me about their wonderful trips. One rode both behind steam and in a goose and the other only in gooses.
The trackage between Durango and Chama was abandoned and then torn up in the early 1970’s, I think. I know for certain that it no longer exists. I was once a member of the Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and some years ago the Friends of the C&TS RR produced a documentary film, running a four-wheel drive vehicle over the original grade of that segment in question. I have that program on video tape. It was very interesting. If we could restore this trackage between Durango and Chama, which is something I dream of doing, you would have one heck of a narrow gauge railroad trip behind steam power. You could go all the way to Silverton, Colorado from Chama, New Mexico.
CANADIANPACIFIC2816
A healthy chunk of that was a line change in 1966 to avoid the Navajo Reservoir project SE of Ignatio and another chunk is now CDOT R/W…not likely to happen.
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