Rio Grande Southern 41 Returns to Durango!
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- čas přidán 24. 11. 2023
- Check out Part Two! The Final Run of Rio Grande Southern 41 (In Durango)
• Rio Grande Southern 41...
Hey Everyone, it's Big Diehl and we're back with something big... but small...
It's a C-19 Consolidation, which is MUCH smaller than what we're used to seeing here on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge... But What is this locomotive? Is this the 42 that's in the Roundhouse Museum? No! But, the tender has the same logo... Wait, a C-19? That's the same class as what Hyce (@Hyce777) runs at the Colorado Railroad Museum ( @crrm)... But curses, No, it's not his 346, and its not his 20, though the logo again is of the long gone Rio Grande Southern that ran from Durango to Telluride and on to Ridgeway and Ouray (some flatlanders just can't handle US Highway 550 and the Million Dollar Highway... all scared cause there's a 400-foot drop and no guard rail).
Nope, this is the long ago left for California # 41 from the Rio Grande Southern and has just finished up her rebuild. After years of going and making right turn after right turn at Knott's Berry Farm where it's been on the Ghost Town and Calico Railroad since the 1950's we watch as it goes for A LEFT TURN! After a complete frame-off rebuild by the Durango Shop forces in the roundhouse, the 41 left on the 18th of November for a trip to Rockwood and back. By the time you’re reading this, the venerable consolidation will be heading west to cross the trestle of Ghost Rider, under the shadows of Silver Bullet, the ghost of Montezooma's Revenge, and salute at Camp Snoopy… all to get some of Mrs Knott’s Fried Chicken and boysenberry pie.
So let’s make that left turn look for that Distant Signal, oh wait, we’re not delay in block even though we’re out of Yard Limit (though his calling card appears) as we follow this coasterfan adjunct locomotive.
![UP's Willamette Valley [Oregon] Main Line](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4xoy_1OU7FE/mqdefault.jpg)
I worked as an engineer/fireman on the GT&CRR at Knott's in the 1980s (one of only a few professional railroaders in my generation to have first hired-out on steam locos). I cut my eye-teeth on #41 the summer of 1981 when I started college. It takes my breath away to see her all rebuilt and running on the D&S. "Nostalgic" isn't a strong enough term for my feelings. Thanks, Bid Diehl, for this awesome video!!
Very cool story! Ya I can imagine seeing this was a proud moment that had to bring a sweet tear to the eye! There's nothing like the old steamers. And how about her whistle echoing thru those Rocky Mountain canyons! 👍
RGS 41 is genuinely a little deckless gem. (Surviving the RGS and Knott’s is a testament in and of itself.)
I have read deckless wrong
@@TheMrcassina 🤣 Fair point.
It would be cool of 340 operated on the Durango And Silverton For just a Little Bit
Just listening to the whistle, one can tell she is VERY happy to be free again.
If it wasn’t for Walter Knotts, 41 might have been scrapped ! So we should be thankful she’s been in safe hands nearly half her life at Knotts Berry Farm where she, 340 and the Goose are said to be the main happy attraction at the Farm !!😊
The fact that the Boysenberry Engine and her train had to stop for the literal Polar Express to pass is beyond levels of cool! It's amazing!
seeing a C-19 booking it down the main is cool as all hell, you love to see it! Good footage!
5:47 THAT is the sound of amazingness
Pretty wild to know I was pulled behind this Loco decades ago as a kid. Makes me happy to see that old Class 70 still doing work.
As someone who's seen and ridden behind this engine a lot over the years, it still shocks me that this happened on D&S recently. Apart of myself wishes the engine could stay longer but it's of course scheduled to return to California in the coming week. Nevertheless, I'm glad the people of D&S managed to not only rebuild her themselves but also take her on a test run on half of their line.
At 5:48, this whistle’s almost sounded identical to the polar express, but sounds very beautiful. By the time we need this whistle to put onto 1225 Pere Marquette.
I've lived in Cali and been going to Knott's my whole life, and I love it there and I love the railroad there, but man it is good to see 41 stretching its legs a little after being stuck on the little loop for all those years. My heart is happy to see it on the rails in Durango, but will be equally happy to have it back at home in front of the log ride after so long. Love to see it!
Literally just got home from Knotts 💀 Always great to see the train there running. Can't wait to see the 41 when it comes back to knotts!
When this engine was originally in service on the RGS did the whistle really bathe the cab is steam like this?
Neat to see it on its original rails if only for a break-in run before heading back to Knotts.
I absolutely adore 41's whistle. It is *so* good when blown fully.
It seems to be massively overblowing, though. They should fix that.
The odd ball of a D&RGW 5 chime she has with the hooter base.
Fantastic ! Great to see this locomotive run especially on the beautiful Durango and Silverton. Thank You.
I remember the first time i saw this train at knotts when i was a kid and becuase of that it holds some responsibility for my love for old steam locomotives.
Man, 2023 is a great year for Steam locos and Railfans, UP 4014 rescue a stalled freight train, Santa Fe 2926’s return to the main line and RGS 41 return to Durango! I hope we’ll have a great next year like this year!
There is a lot of steams under full restoration right now. we are going to have a big class of Fresh steam here the next couple years
The more the merrier
Welcome back 41 and that whistle sounds gorgeous and ghostly
Nice to see 41 running free after being in a loop for many decades!
Thanks enjoyed watching #41 run. Great photography and sound. 👍👍🌟🌟
I wish you had made it clear that 41 is still the property of Knotts and will return in early December.
Big Deihl has the best narration and video on this event, bar none.
That must have been amazing to hear that little consolidation thundering up the canyon. I do find it funny that *both* of the rear cylinder heads were leaking, but it did make her look very majestic. That whistle also happens to sound like a very familiar 4-8-2...
Great video Diehl, I can't wait to see more!
one of my favorite whislte besides the JNR 5 Chime, the D&RGW 5 Chime
Greatly enjoyed as usual.
Glad you enjoyed it
thank you. brought back great memories riding the Silvertown track
Great to see her stretch out some . Excellent video sir
Oh yeah!
Hello Big Diehl, A great video with excellent information about the life of the C-19 #41, Bachmann had released this locomotive as a model number 346. But the original is something special. Thanks for the fantastic video about the C-19 #41 steam locomotive now in service on the Durango & Silverton Railroad. Many greetings from Germany
Thank you for this video! So awesome!
Excellent Video! Thanks for sharing it with us! So glad they decided to bring her back to life. Now if they'd only surfacer the track some year to keep from shaking everything apart! I'm in So Cal so i've been behind both locos at Knott's and even had a few trips behind 464 before they sold her to the Huckleberry. Keep up the great work. I look forward to subscribing.
Stunning video, liked it much!
Nicely done, William. Really enjoyed it.
It's funny you mention the Colorado Railroad museum in the video as a couple of people who are currently working on 346 we're actually there on the trip to see 41. Or at least that's what I've heard from @Hyce777.
Yes. They were there.
Thanks for the wonderful trip with the 41 in the fall.
Glad you enjoyed it
That is one healthy whistle!
Thank you so much for this wonderful video! Greetings from Germany!
I have been to Germany a few times and have ridden the Fichtelbergbahn twice. Those narrow gauge 2-10-2s are nice little engines; small but mighty!
You should check out the Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad in Flint, Michigan, they have one of the Ghost Town and Calico Railroad's former steam locomotives, K-27 2-8-2 #464, though she's out of service right now
They should have it rebuilt in Durango and then it could run in Colorado again, or doublehead with 463 that would be the first k-27 doubleheader since the 40s I’d imagine
That’s awesome. Now how cool would it be to have both 41 and Ten Wheeler 20 in operation together in Durango.
How about 41 and 346! The sisters should meet
@@travis5376True yes. Or even a RGS Reunion.
@@travis5376 if we could ever have all 3 of the c19s together sometime it would just have to be winter some point so goose 3 can hold down the fort at Knott’s lol.
Awesome video of a beautiful piece of equipment. I subbed to see more in the future
Thanks for the sub! I try and put out a half way decent product!
Will this loco be returning to Knotts Berry Farm ?
Yes...
The true silverton train returns.
We don’t have any record of it actually ever having been to Silverton. Hopefully one day, as it’s back at its proper home now in Buena Park.
@@Big_Diehl definitely something I would like to see, then we will have a record of it.
That's epic! I wonder if 41 will ever come back to visit the D&S again one day?
very nice Sir.
This had to be an engineers dream!
Maybe a small steam leak on the whistle? Haha. Blinding the engineer every time he pulls it
Well it’s because the 5 chime has a hooter base
Just wait until Hyce hears about this
I think he may have… 🤣
all aboard rgs 41
41’s cab doors definitely protect the crew in the cab from getting a helluva sauna from that aggressive whistle 🤣
It's not very sauna like from what I've felt...
@@Big_DiehlI was just commenting on the spread of steam. Idk if it’s damaged, it’s cold weather, or that’s just the nature of that chime, just something I noticed in the shorts haha.
@@drewbarker8504 41s whistle is located about halfway up the steam dome about the level of the front cab windows so thats why it puts out so much steam into the cab.
@@kbfbest That makes a lot of sense. All of those differences and locations of appliances are interesting.
Hey great video! Do you think you can send the location of granite point? Can’t find it on maps.
Great , thank you for sharing! What was the to speed down from Hermosa?
They hit 20 in the valley according to someone with a gps aboard.
Thank you that`s great!@@Big_Diehl
I want a cabosse for my back yard!
WOW absolutely amazing great shots 👍. Also I believe they should do the same for 340 take her to the mainline and put on a show.
It would be cool if the park could send both simultaneously, but that would be a stretch. I’d like to see the Durango, a couple of coaches return to Chama and have a true recreation of the San Juan though.
You have a point. I really want to see the recreation of San Juan too.
Wow
Be nice if 42 were returned next
They don’t have any plans, mainly because it’s boiler is to thin
Any news when #41 will be back at Knott's?
Someone in a comment said sometime next month
10:52 missed shave & a haircut opportunity
I usually abhor doing shave and a haircut after a rail fan had a sign asking for the whistle sequence…. I try for ‘Seven Nation Army’ instead..
On the other hand, yes, THIS situation absolutely could have used it…
Does that little campsite still exist at that certain crossing where people can tent and camp next to the train tracks I stayed there back in 2004 in August with my dad to ride the Durango and Silverton we stayed two nights the first day we caught two trains heading back to Durango And I would ride the second of three trains to Silverton the following day
The United Campground? If so, yes.
@@Big_Diehl very happy to hear that that’s a very popular place to stay during the summer it’s a campground if I remember correctly it’s next to a little stable that used to have donkeys here’s a little fun fact of what I saw the two trains returning to Silverton I remember number 482 heading southbound on a charter trip with caboose 0500 trailing and then 480 with the third and final train returning from Silverton the following day I saw 478 in town in Durango departing for Silverton with the first train was to leave on the second train pulled by number 480 I was in the open air gondola car ahead of the red parlor car Alamosa on the very back and 486 would pull the third train of the day I had a great time it was the only time I could experience the sites and sounds of coal fired steam locomotives full-size specifically I also get to experience burning engines in live steam railroading as well but I was warned watch out for the suit whenever I took my head out the open air gondola
I have often felt that is was very short-sighted of the decision to pull up the tracks between Durango and Chama. Lost future possibilities/opportunities!
This is ultimately a big deal.
It's a really big deal....
@@Big_Diehl what is 41 fired by? Coal or oil?
Classssy antique vapourishh tonish roool luck on u 🤍🤍 rools ♥️♥️🍒
I was a ride operator at Nazi Fairy Farm, as we called it -- after the Knott family sold the park to Cedar Fair, the place has deteriorated badly--and worked on The Calico Railroad with both Green River and Red Cliff, as well as the Galloping Goose. I had a great deal of respect for those trains.Twelve trains of the Consolidation series -- one for each month of 1888-- and I believe REd was built in May and Green was built in April. Another C-19, Gold Nugget, resides elsewhere.
If I didn't know any better, I'd say #41 has a Trainz stock bell sound! Lol.
Nope, all analog! 🤣
Looks like the Durango & Silverton needs to spend some time and effort in fixing their track! Holy crap! 41 and the train were bouncing all over the place.
As a professional railroader, I don’t see anything really wrong with their track. The equipment just does that by its nature. It’s still a smoother ride that a clapped out P42 at 90.
How did they transport her to there from Knotts
Truck
I hope 340 gets the same treatment for going to durango
Supposedly I've heard rumblings... Perhaps.
@@Big_Diehland holy crap it happend
I rode the line from Durango to Silverton and back 5 years ago. It was a bit rough back then yet watching this video it is clear that they need to employ the services of a laser guided tamper both on the vertical and horizontal plane. It would not only extend the life of the line it would cut down on wear and tear.
This is shot with an extremely long lens for a lot of shots. Due to the Tele mash, it makes the track look worse than what it actually is. It doesn’t help if the smaller equipment bounces a lot more. The Silverton has acquired a laser tamper and uses it regularly, but unlike neighboring, they have more trains to contend with that run faster.
#41 needs to, somehow, stay in Colorado.
Why… ? She’s more historic to Knott’s Berry Farm then she is Colorado
41 was purchased by Walter Knott. And subsequently Owned by Knott's Berry Farm. I don't think 41 staying in Colorado is going to happen.
340 and 41 have been at Knott’s longer then they operated in Colorado.
Congratulations !
Is the 41 fueled by coal?
No, she’s been fueled by oil the majority of her life…
I hate the new McDonald's building
I know… the elder foamers wanted the old one gone so bad they didn’t think about what would rise in its place… 🤣
@@Big_Diehl the old one looked like a railroad station too & it was iconic too!
This is a great video, as all your videos are. The "world famous horseshoe curve," you mention, does not exist on this railroad, but on the Pennsylvania Railroad mainline west of Altoona, Pennsylvania, not in Colorado. Any history book will prove that.
Dunno… this is far more scenic and far more photographed.
Looks like Durango, Silverton R.R. isn't spending enough time and money on track maintenance. That's a shame because it's hard on the equipment rocking around on uneven track and bad ties
I'd hardly say the D&S track sucks... It's on par with the Cumbres. I've walked the ROW of both of them for at least ten miles on each in 2023... and a speeder on the D&S from Rockwood north. Durango doesnt have the benefit of having its passenger stock built out of battleship standard gauge flatcars.
I was referring to the rocking back and forth of the locomotives. After all they are standard gauge weight on narrow gauge trackage. It would pay in the long run to stabilize the track for them. I agree the coaches aren't as tough as they could be but they are easier to maintain than the locomotives. maybe it's wishful thinking also. Narrow gauge railroads are always the step child, and run on a shoe string budget. @@Big_Diehl
I say this mostly jokingly but also seriously… can the D&S just *not* give 41 back?
D&S track sucks, they could really take a lesson from the C&TS, other than that, 41 looked great, couple of packing issues
I'd hardly say the D&S track sucks... They're both on par with each other. I've walked the ROW of both of them for at least ten miles on each in 2023... and a speeder on the D&S from Rockwood north.
RGS 41 belongs in Colorado, not California. After all, it is a Rio Grande Southern engine.
Wrong belongs at Knott's.
@@AstroTron I respect your opinion, but this video proved to me that the engine belongs in the beautiful Colorado mountains instead of going round and round and never getting anywhere.
@@larrydemaar409 Yes Colorado is beautiful, but they don't own the locomotive. Knott's Berry Farm is her owner and home.
@@AstroTron That is correct. Just like the video stated, Walter Knott bought her for his Knotts Berry Place to entertain guests. And to this day Knotts still owns her. From what I’ve read, Durango helped restore her to a beautiful condition, and she’s now ready to head back to Knotts.
@@AstroTron Sadly they own it. California will probably force Knotts Berry farm to electrify it some point. Huckleberry Railroad in Flint owns the D&RGW 464 that used to be at Knotts Berry farm. Huckleberry is trying to restore it, because Knotts Berry farm butchered it so it could make the sharp curves. Knotts Berry farm doesn’t have the room or track structure to run these locomotives properly.
Why do I feel like I’m back in the late 80s early 90s with all this narration crap in videos. Location subtitles were created for a reason so we didn’t have to hear anyone. I get narration and music in archive footage as there is no sound.
Because viewership and retention goes up with narration. It allows us to tell more of a story when needed than simple captions can do.
yoooo