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.
Departing Durango 
A beautiful Eastern Sierra day 
Tender being unloaded 
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!
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