Engine No. 74 - Forward
Mike Trent
COPYRIGHT 1999 -- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
I'll tell you I done something with the 74 there in Leadville one time.
We went down on the transfer (track) there. I think there was 21 loads in there for the C&S and Sanchez (conductor) says 'Let's shove these up on the Rio Grande, up on the hill as far as we can and get a run at it. Maybe we can pull 'em all out so we won't have to double them out.'
I says, 'OK. If we get stuck, all we have to do is cut 'em in two and make two trips.'
So I started out and I pulled those 21 loads over the transfer and that's something that'd never been done before. When I pulled out onto the mainline switch, if she'd a-slipped, why that would've been the end of it. She was right down to where she was just doin' her best. When I pulled out onto the mainline, why of course they started pickin' up and we pulled down into the yards.
There was two Rio Grande switch engines workin' down there, and they stopped switchin' and watched us, because I know they thought we'd never do it - because those Rio Grande engines couldn't do it. They was standard gauge, but they couldn't have shoved that many cars onto the C&S.
- John "Bon" Oshier, retired C&S Engineer
(Crossen)
Of all the locomotives that traveled Colorado's many narrow gauge railroads over the years, none had a more well-traveled and storied career than old No.74, which ended its long and distinguished working history on the legendary Rio Grande Southern Railroad in 1952. That same year, the citizens of Boulder, Colorado purchased the engine, which had outlived every railroad she served, and placed her on permanent display in her original hometown.
There are many aspects to the story of this locomotive. She was built at a time when technology of steam locomotives advanced almost daily. She served one railroad after the next, as Colorado and the Nation built history through prosperity, depression, and two World Wars. The engine hauled tourists, ore, and untold carloads of freight for 54 years. Many hands pulled her throttle, many elbows rested in her windows. Millions of scoops of coal went into her firebox. What a story she has to tell! Cold, hard winter storms, wrecks, and the drudgery of routine operations.
The bulk of this text emerged from a draft I started in 1983 for an article I had hoped to publish in the Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette. Work and life postponed its completion. When Bill White asked me to prepare some information for his RGS Website on No.74, he rekindled the old spark to full flame. He has actually encouraged me to include considerable background on the engine's history and surroundings before reaching the RGS, and I have.
There are several bits and pieces appearing here for the first time. It was not originally intended that this narrative be the "definitive" source of material on No.74, nor was it intended to be a rehash of the same old stuff commonly available elsewhere. The generosity and willingness to help this project, by everyone I contacted who had information or material, have brought it far beyond my original expectations. Bill was right. To tell this engine's story, you really have to include the story of her sister engines and provide background on the railroads she served. I have included relevant quotations from my 1982-83 interviews of the last surviving C&S narrow gauge enginemen. I have also included text from interviews conducted in the '50's and '60's by the late Forrest Crossen with other, and older, C&S veterans. These appear here, as voices from the past, with his permission, which he happily provided 15 years ago. The story of the 1949 Rocky Mountain Railroad Club excursion is Ed Haley's, as it was told to me in 1983. All of these contributors to the 74's story, along with our hometown hero, Dr. J.B. Schoolland, who brought the engine back home in 1952, are now deceased. It is our hope that the detail, pictures, and stories they left us, along with information from the provided list of printed sources, will make it possible for the reader to better understand the many aspects of this one-of-a-kind locomotive, in historical context, I hope, for the first time. To paint in a little background detail color, on this engine and how she came to make one last curtain call on the world's most beautiful stage.
I am grateful to many who have helped me get this done. Todd Hackett has "fired" every mile of the way on this thing, and much of what is here is thanks to him. Other veteran 74 volunteers, Rob Smith and Erick Nelson, also proofed the draft in several versions and have helped in many ways for a long time. Margaret Coel and Phil Stead reviewed the final draft. Mal Ferrell has provided much of the information on the 74's years on the RGS. He also provided a very welcome quote from an interview with an RGS engineman. John Coker helped greatly, with his added comments, corrections, suggestions, and his drawing of the engine crew on the 1949 excursion. Any mistakes this crew didn't catch are still mine. Special thanks to our friend and fellow 74 vet Joe Crea, who created the "No.74 in 1922" print based on what we knew the engine looked like at that time, even though we couldn't locate a photograph. Joe also provided the other drawing included in the C&S section. They add a lot. Others who have contributed are listed later.
Mike Trent, July, 1999
Engine No.74 possessed the unique distinction of having had three narrow gauge carriers shot from under its drivers.
- Lucius Bebee
To continue the 74's story click on the "Early Years" button...
