S. P. 18 Lives! In Durango, Colorado of all Places
If you’ve driven US 395 and gone through Independence, CA, the route many Southern Californians take to the Eastern Sierras and Mammoth Lakes, you may recall the narrow gauge locomotive exhibit in Doheny Park. Number 18 was moved there in 1955 when the Southern Pacific Narrow gauge line gave up its aging steam engines for diesel. The line eventually closed in 1960.
It was a familiar sight and has many fond memories for the Riddlebargers. Back in 2013, I posted about # 18 on the old Riddleblog. US 395 and the Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Number 18 has since been fully restored (Carson and Colorado), and is now on loan to the Durango and Silverton tourist Railroad. Great to see # 18 running again at speed on a sixty mile trek through the Animas River canyon.
The rumor is that one day, enough track will be laid in the Eastern Sierras that # 18 will run as a tourist railroad in Independence or Laws, (outside Bishop). Hope so!