http://www.drgw.net/gallery/main.php http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-013.jpg.html 62933 Wednesday, September 23, 2015 was moving day for D&RGW 168. After nearly eighty years of sitting in parks around the Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs, today it was loaded up for a move to Antonito, CO. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-016-larrygreen.jpg.html 62949 About 10:30 in the morning, the moving crew has a stack of ties and some of the connecting rail in place. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-017-larrygreen.jpg.html 62953 The support tie stack needs to go back a little further, so the crew breaks out the shovels to remove a bit of ballast from the end of the display track. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-018-larrygreen.jpg.html 62957 Everything's lined up now, and they've got the winch cable attached to the old coupler pocket on the tender. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-019-larrygreen.jpg.html 62969 C'mon back, nice and easy... http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-020-larrygreen.jpg.html 62961 Once the tender was loaded up and secured on one end, they immediately moved the truck out onto the street so that they could get the next one moved into place. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/xxxx-hookup2-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-000.jpg.html 62965 With the tender loaded and the truck out of the way, the next heavy hauler backs up to have its rails connected. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-021-larrygreen.jpg.html 62973 With the trailer and rails connected and the winch cable attached, now all there is to do is wait for the VIPs to arrive and the afternoon ceremony. Well, that and keep dumping oil on those bearings to make sure they move at the right movement without da http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/xxxx-truck-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-000.jpg.html 63017 What do you need to haul a T-12 class 4-6-0? One monster of an Army surplus Oshkosh truck and matching trailer, custom fitted with 3' rails. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/xxxx-truck-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-001.jpg.html 63029 The other end of Soni's second truck, showing the trailer that will be taking 168 down to the C&TS. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-022.jpg.html 63025 One last look at the engine in the park without the fence. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-023.jpg.html 63033 Hurry up and wait... Seems like a good time for a bit of a break before the VIPs show up for the lease signing ceremony. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/xxxx-leaseagreement-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-001.jpg.html 62941 Today's four VIPs (from left to right): Matt Mayberry of the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, Mayor John Suthers, C&TS Commissioner Dan Love, and C&TS President John Bush. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/xxxx-leaseagreement-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-002.jpg.html 63021 John Bush gets a few minutes at the microphone to talk to the audience about the engine's history and its bright future. John was one of the men that performed the last cosmetic restoration on the engine back in 1982-1983, and is very familiar with its c http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-004.jpg.html 62889 Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers speaks to the crowd about the engine and its bright future. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/xxxx-leaseagreement-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-000.jpg.html 62893 With the speeches concluded, Mayor Suthers and C&TS Railroad Commissioner Dan Love sign the lease agreement transferring 168 to the C&TS's care for the next four and a half decades. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-005.jpg.html 62897 With the festivities concluded and the lease signed, C&TS President John Bush gives hand signals to the winch operator to guide 168 up onto the trailer. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-008.jpg.html 62905 Let the winching begin! http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-007.jpg.html 62909 With all the bearing surfaces already pre-lubed, the engine seemed to roll nicely once they started pulling. Aside from a quick stop to inspect a few things as they got the first driver on the trailer, it was a slow and smooth transfer. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-009.jpg.html 62913 http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-010.jpg.html 62917 http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-006.jpg.html 62901 Soni Honegger looks back to see if they've winched up everything nice and tight as he works to chain the engine to the flatbed. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-025.jpg.html 63041 Snugging up the winch cable so that 168 can be tied down. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-024.jpg.html 63037 Okay, that looks good - secure it! http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-014.jpg.html 62937 A rather remarkable crowd turned out to see the engine move, considering the event was in the middle of the day on a weekday. It's good to see folks are interested in what's happening to our history. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/xxxx-unbolting-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-000.jpg.html 62921 With the engine secured, it's time to unbolt the angle irons holding the temporary rail bridge. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-011.jpg.html 62925 If you've ever wondered what remained inside 168's cab, here's the engineer's side with the cab door removed. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-012.jpg.html 62929 And the fireman's side... http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/xxxx-track-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-000.jpg.html 63013 The empty display track. Unlike the first display track for the 168 which was laid with original D&RG 30-pound rails from Sheffield, England, this current one is laid with standard CF&I ~60 pound stock. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-002.jpg.html 62881 With both pieces safely secured and the trucks ready for the trip to Antonito, the crew went for dinner. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/xxxx-truck-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-002.jpg.html 63045 Just after 7pm - departure time. Unfortunately also just after the last light of day. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-003.jpg.html 62885 The truck with 168 departs from Antlers Park. After nearly 80 years, the engine is once again headed back to active rails. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-000.jpg.html 62872 The truck carrying 168 crosses over I-25 at Bijou just after 1900h as the convoy heads south to Antonito. http://www.drgw.net/gallery/v/DRGWSteamContainer/T12s/DRGW168/LoadingOut23Sep2015/drgw-168-coloradosprings_co-_23-sep-2015_-001.jpg.html 62877 Pulling on to I-25 for the long, slow journey.