|
|
After the sale to Permian, the new owners, under IPH
president Ed Ellis, decided to reestablish passenger service in the valley.
In May 2006 a new excursion service was inaugurated, running passenger trains
between Alamosa and Antonito, and Alamosa and La Veta. Service was designed to make
convenient connections with the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, and to
open secluded La Veta Pass to passenger traffic for the first time in over 50
years. Four coaches originally from the Long Island RR were initially brought in to
handle the passengers, and the passenger fleet has been growing ever since.
Starting with the 2008 season, a twice-daily coach also travels between Monte
Vista and Alamosa.
 |
Here's one of the four ex-Long Island
RR coaches, now lettered for the San Luis & Rio Grande. (6/30/2006) |
 |
Here's a broader view of the western portion of the downtown
yard, looking northeast. Visible are both of the Adirondack Scenic RR
open-air cars (see below), as well as three of the maroon coaches and the
ex-UP combine that is on loan from the Wagon Wheel Gap tourist line out at
South Fork. |
 |
Nathan Zachman took this photo of one of the Adirondack
Scenic Railroad cars while riding the train. It's sitting in
Occidental siding. Seating in these cars consists of
two rows of benches back-to-back down the middle of the car, facing out.
They function as observation cars. (5/27/2006) Note: they were
repainted in late 2006-- see below. |
 |
Another of Nathan's shots, showing the LITTLE RAPIDS side-on
in Alamosa. There are at least two of these cars on the property.
(5/27/2006) |
 |
Here's a look at the "coach yard" on 1/1/2007. Near at
hand are the two "observation" cars, spliced by an
as-yet-not-repainted coach. In the distance are the Pullman-Standard coaches. |
 |
Coach 2948, awaiting the next season's work. |
 |
Coach 2970 has been damaged-- this may be the car that was
involved in a truck-train accident during the summer of 2006. It looks
like all the glass is gone from this side, and there's a large gouge in the
car at the left end. |
 |
Coach 2974, in the yard east of the depot. It's
coupled with No. 2970. |
 |
Here's No. 5067, formerly "Little Rapids" (see above), after
repainting. It looks sharp in SLRG paint. Its mate has also been
repainted but lacked the roadname lettering at the time of this photo. |
 |
Car No. 5060, at La Veta
on 5/24/2008. This observation car has yet to receive any lettering
beyond the reporting marks. It's configured internally just like No.
5067 above. |
Prior to the 2008 season, the railroad purchased five full-length dome
cars from Holland America. These cars had been in use on the Alaska
Railway and were still painted as such.
 |
Dome No. 509. I can't quite make out the Alaska name
in the photo-- light was backlit...
Photo at Alamosa, 5/25/2008. |
 |
Dome No. 511, which wore the name NENANA (also numbered 800124). Photo
at Alamosa, 5/25/2008. |
 |
Dome No. 551, named KOBUK while in ARR service. Photo
at La Veta, 5/24/2008. |
 |
Dome No. 554, named EKLUTNA. The photo is fish-eyed a
little to get the entire car into the shot...
Photo at La Veta, 5/24/2008. |
 |
Here's an internal view of the lower level lounge area on
car No. 554. These cars have been nicely maintained, and the
appointments are first-class. |
 |
Interior of a dome. There is a variety of seating
options, including booth-style tables. Again, everything is
first-class and in good condition. |
|
