Backing up on the Mardi Gras After making a “run by” for guests, a special passenger train operating on the San Luis Central backs up to load passengers at County Road 4 just south of Vastine, Colorado. Protecting the back up move is the conductor hanging on the side of Illinois Central observation car “Mardi Gras” (SLRG 3305). This special train was operating on the 13-mile SLC to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the railroad on September 1, 2013. To help with celebrations, neighbor San Luis & Rio Grande supplied the steam-powered passenger train.