A freight train headed up by D&RGW 2-8-0 locomotive #361 has paused at the siding located in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison located at Curecanti, Colorado. She’s flying white flags indicating that the train is an extra (not a scheduled train). A crewman is on the ground at left, likely the head-end brakeman checking his switch list, while the engineer and fireman keep watch toward the rear of the train from their positions in the cab. It appears that they may be picking up some of those cars in the siding.

There isn’t much room in this rocky canyon, and that’s an impressive spire seen at right. It’s amazing that men were able to penetrate this terrain to lay the track for the trains to cross the mountains.

Photograph recorded in 1940, William H. Radcliffe, collection of Jack C. Shall