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Special train to mark return of Rio Grande “Mudhen”
Fantastic! Good to see another steamer return to operation. Maybe now they can restore the 497 back to service.
Took my 3 year old son for his first ride behind steam on the Huckleberry and 464 looks like she is brand new. Great preservation job.
Ps. Whomever coined the name ‘mudhen’ was a true imanginative genious. You have got to see one of these locos in action, in person, to get the full effect.
the C&TS has a track problem which could be ameliorated by the use of the lighter-weight locomotives like the 463 and one of the 470’s from durango on most trains east of osier. the 70# rail there is simply wearing out, while the 85# rail west of there is much more able to handle the 33% higher axle loads of the 480’s and 490’s. this would be a LOT cheaper than re-laying 44 miles of track with heavier rail. art hamilton PE(ret.)