Russell
The CXRG Walsenburg Turn begins its eastbound assault on La Veta Pass as it exits the San Luis Valley behind a pair of ex-BNSF SD70MACs. The train is passing the former station of Russell, also known as Wagon Creek Junction, where the original 1876 narrow-gauge alignment continued northeast via Old La Veta Pass. The 1876 alignment was abandoned around 1901 when the D&RGW built the present standard-gauge route over Veta Pass nine miles south of the original mountain crossing. Until World War I, a portion of the narrow-gauge alignment east of Russell remained to serve a couple of iron mines owned by Colorado Fuel and Iron near Placer a few miles north of here.
Russell
The CXRG Walsenburg Turn begins its eastbound assault on La Veta Pass as it exits the San Luis Valley behind a pair of ex-BNSF SD70MACs. The train is passing the former station of Russell, also known as Wagon Creek Junction, where the original 1876 narrow-gauge alignment continued northeast via Old La Veta Pass. The 1876 alignment was abandoned around 1901 when the D&RGW built the present standard-gauge route over Veta Pass nine miles south of the original mountain crossing. Until World War I, a portion of the narrow-gauge alignment east of Russell remained to serve a couple of iron mines owned by Colorado Fuel and Iron near Placer a few miles north of here.