TRAINS: Jim Wrinn
ANTONITO, Colo. — The Durango Railroad Historical Society and Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad will perform the Federal Railroad Administration-required 15-year inspection on D&RGW C-18 locomotive No. 18, the 2-8-0 built by Baldwin for the Florence & Cripple Creek. The work will be performed in the Cumbres & Toltec’s Antonito shops, with historical society volunteers assisting the shop crew with the inspection during the winter of 2021-22.
The inspection entails a complete strip down of No. 315, including removal of all appliances, the cab, boiler jacket, and lagging. The internal boiler tubes will be removed and the rear tube replaced; the four flanged driving-wheel tires will be turned; and a number of wheel bearings will be replaced. The work is expected to take seven months. While the historical society has raised about 90% of the needed funds, donations are still welcome via PayPal at the 315 website or by check to: Durango Railroad Historical Society, P.O. Box 654, Durango, CO 81302.
No. 315, acquired by the Denver & Rio Grande in 1916, was retired to a Durango city park in 1949. It was restored to operating condition by historical society volunteers between 2001-07, and has operated on both the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and the Cumbres & Toltec. Under the agreement between the society and railroad, the locomotive will remain at the C&TS until 2025.
