| Thistle was a small community where the Rio Grande maintained a helper base. In the spring of 1983, a mud slide created a natural dam that inundated Thistle forcing the evacuation of the residents and shut down the railroad. The Rio Grande detoured over the UP while contractors built a new alignment through Billies Mountain. By mid-July, service was restored over Soldier Summit. The 9011 is on the new alignment near Rio. |