When the Sumpter Valley officially shut down in 1961, most of the remaining equipment and parts were acquired by the Black Hills Central which was at the time narrow gauge. Later the line was reconverted to standard gauge, and not long after the SVRR was formed, they contacted the restoration and offered most of the former Sumpter equipment for sale. At that time the group couldn't afford any of it, but years later, money was on hand, and everything that was still at the BHC was shipped home. During the time span between the first offer and the final purchase though, a very important pair of artifacts went missing. The passenger car trucks from caboose number 5 had been part of the original offer, $1,200 for the set, but when the collection was finally acquired, they were gone. This would have been in the 70's or 80's that they disappeared, and I'm desperate to know what became of them. It seems highly unlikely that they would have been scrapped, and I wonder if they didn't make their way to a private collection, or possibly to the Durango & Silverton along with a passenger car or such. The trucks are wood bolstered, should have 26 inch wheels, and generally look ancient. If anyone has any leads, ideas, or whatever, they would be VERY appreciated.

Thanks in Advance, Taylor



thrush@smt-net.com

> When the Sumpter Valley officially shut down
> in 1961, most of the remaining equipment and
> parts were acquired by the Black Hills
> Central which was at the time narrow gauge.
> Later the line was reconverted to standard
> gauge, and not long after the SVRR was
> formed, they contacted the restoration and
> offered most of the former Sumpter equipment
> for sale. At that time the group couldn't
> afford any of it, but years later, money was
> on hand, and everything that was still at
> the BHC was shipped home. During the time
> span between the first offer and the final
> purchase though, a very important pair of
> artifacts went missing. The passenger car
> trucks from caboose number 5 had been part
> of the original offer, $1,200 for the set,
> but when the collection was finally
> acquired, they were gone. This would have
> been in the 70's or 80's that they
> disappeared, and I'm desperate to know what
> became of them. It seems highly unlikely
> that they would have been scrapped, and I
> wonder if they didn't make their way to a
> private collection, or possibly to the
> Durango & Silverton along with a
> passenger car or such. The trucks are wood
> bolstered, should have 26 inch wheels, and
> generally look ancient. If anyone has any
> leads, ideas, or whatever, they would be
> VERY appreciated.

> Thanks in Advance, Taylor
I was visiting there during that time period and they were loading some trucks on to a semi, but if they were narrow gauge I don't remember.
Good luck. M. Nix


2rivers@upstel.net

Taylor

CHeck with the D&S. There is a pair of small ans ancient looking passenger trucks south of the roundhouse in the bone yard I have pictures somewhere. I don't remember the wheel size but the wheelbase was around 48".

Paul

pfdx@aol.com