Carson & Colorado Railway

For the first time in months we had the opportunity to do a days worth of work in Independence. It was a small, mostly local crew that tackled three projects: reassemble #18 and continue the annual work, spread out track materials towards the final end of track, and install our #9 frog and continue work on the switch. A very productive day and a half!

We will soon be working on an end of year newsletter and a couple of operations for #18 in 2022 so stay tuned. Another 2022 goal is to put together a new volunteer email list, stay tuned for that if you are interested. And lastly, please keep us in mind for those end of year donations, they are always welcome and greatly appreciated!

Home at last! After six months of very hard work that included #18 being used on 40 doubleheaders – yes 40! – #18 headed home to Independence on October 28th and was unloaded on the 30th. This having been the 6th time #18 and tender have been on the highway, it was just another loading and unloading, and there were but only a few cell phone pictures taken of the event.

Prior to its departure from Durango, #18 had its annual Federal Railway Administration annual inspection and hydro test as well as some other repair work performed. Back in Independence, #18 will have the remaining annual inspections completed and will be put back together for future operations.

Looking ahead to 2022, we hope to schedule at least one or two events with #18 prior to it’s next annual inspection, which will be its 5th since being returned to service and will require a staybolt cap inspection. We also expect to complete the last of our track installation as well as get started on our restoration of boxcar 1C; lots to look forward to next year.

With #18 home again, all of us with the Carson and Colorado would like to say thank you to the Durango and Silverton, and all of you who continue to support us!