After the CF&I plant in Pueblo no longer needed coking coal from its Weston, CO. mines a few private mining companies tried their hand at marketing the coal to various customers. Their efforts were largely unsuccessful since the cost of producing the product was quite high. Eventually the 37 mi. line of the former C&W RY. Southern Div. was dismantled. Recently, however, new operators have begun the task of reopening the mine and restoring it to operational status. This will, of course, call for the RR to be UN-dismantled(??) More on that IF it becomes a reality. In this view 9258 and I have just made it down the 1-1/2% decending grade from the mine to the AT&SF Jansen Yd. From here the train will be delivered to the BN at Trinidad, CO. for movement east. |