Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

Hope someone caught this on camera... earlier this morning, 8:00-ish, there was a lash-up sitting on the main with #484 on the head end, #489 as a pusher, with caboose, and 17 cars in between ( 6 boxcars, 4 tankers, 1 high-sided gon, 2 flats, 2 stock cars, and the two work cars scheduled to be on the special out of Antonito this coming weekend). When I first saw it, the train was stretched out with the the lead engine clear at the north end of the yard. The entire consist was backed up into the south yard and shortly thereafter pulled out to do a run-by for the ap. 40 folks who were seen lugging camera gear to the area down near the oil racks. Once again, it backed into the south yard, and did another run to the north, this time leaving town. Meanwhile, #488 was serviced for work on #216. I have no idea what all the activity was about, but perhaps some one can enlighten me.

#216 left right on time with the regular 7-car consist, which looked pretty well full. This would mean that all four K-36's are on the road today!

I have no clue what it was all about, but I got it all recorded. I'll get things edited and post a video when I can - but for now a couple stills of the freight.

Looks like a private charter. Seems to happen at least once or twice each year. They don't advertise to help cut down on the free-loaders chasing the train. I don't blame 'em one bit.

What appears to be the two MOW cars that were at the rear of the freight are showing on the Cumbres cam. An earlier grab shows smoke in the valley.

Another capture shows a locomotive about to cross HWY 17. And with that it's off to work, but good to see a few captures on the Cumbres CDOT cam today.

So as for now we don't know what the charter was. That would be a great one to know about and get involved in.

489 is back and with one of the cabeese that went up the hill. It is now switching in the south yard. What he grabbed was: 4 stock cars, 1 reefer, 3 high side gons, 4 drop bottoms gons, 1 rider gon, 1 rider box car and the caboose he came back with.

For this to be the first day of the last Friend's work session, I don't see much happening.

Sharon Evans wrote:So as for now we don't know what the charter was. That would be a great one to know about and get involved in.

No ma'am, I don't know. You might call the railroad and see if they'll tell you or at least relay your contact info. I know of a few organized groups like this that are very tight-lipped and hard to get into. Having done many of these charters (both private and public), I fully understand their mindset. A photo line full of friends won't have nearly the same problems as a photo line full of strangers. Plus, you can do a lot more with a smaller group and some guys can afford to pay for that privilege.

Well, 489 with its 14 cars and a caboose are still sitting with the locomotive at the coal tipple. People have been getting on and off the caboose and there are now people gathering to shoot the train. 215 is due in about an hour so who knows what is happeneing.

Just as soon as I made the previous post, we got 2 blasts and 489 moved out of Chama with the 14 car freight. What a day, 2 long freights as well as both passenger trains. They will have to meet 215 either at Labato or Cresco. More like Labato since 215 should be at Cumbres any time now.

215 arrives in Chama almost on time with 487 leading. What a day these passengers have had with them meeting 2 long freight trains.

I liked the light when 487 brought the train back from the wye.

487 went over and picked up 1 coach to add to 216 tomorrow.

Getting itself cleaned out as the late afternoon light shines on 487.

Historic Transport Preservation (Steam Specials) is the Photo Charter Scheduled for Sept. 28 - 30th. It was announced back around June 6th via an email I received. So, John West and Mike Raia are there. Also, "Friends" member Larry Gibson is en route now and should be there on Wednesday.

So a three day charter - cool for everyone. Do you know when trains from the charter are returning to Chama so we can queue up the big screens for viewing?

Bruce McDowell wrote:So a three day charter - cool for everyone. Do you know when trains from the charter are returning to Chama so we can queue up the big screens for viewing?

Bruce I can't answer when the trains will return, but I'll do my best to capture it and have all the activity as part of my daily reviews. Usually I get to posting around this time in the evening - though some can come overnight if major editing is needed.

Farol Henkle wrote:Historic Transport Preservation (Steam Specials) is the Photo Charter Scheduled for Sept. 28 - 30th. It was announced back around June 6th via an email I received. So, John West and Mike Raia are there. Also, "Friends" member Larry Gibson is en route now and should be there on Wednesday.

Farol thank you for that information!! Once Mr. Gibson is out there he will likely send some updates to me for posting, when he's unable to post himself, so will try to stay up with it all real time as I can.

Current capture from Cumbres, so they are still there at 6:10PM local time.

2nd capture at 6:32PM local - remember the clock on the camera is an hour off.

I'm going to add two more here - the first is no trains visible, but I like the sky colors. then next capture shows the caboose and end of one of the trains - perhaps on the way back.

Here's today's 216 and 215 video captures - I'll be working on editing the rest of the day, and see what I can get done before work, but more will be up tonight. Also have to keep an ear out for something returning, so bear with me on the late posts again.

09-28-15 Train 216 Departure



09-28-15 Train 215 Arrives

Larry Sullivan - Charter will return to Chama on Wednesday. Possible night photo session. I sent Jason Rose the original email from H. T. and that gives the breakdown. These registrants are paying big bucks for this photo shoot Charter, so (as my experience in the past with charters), we respect their wishes. If they wanted (2007 - PM 1225) black smoke, we give 'em black smoke out of the engine. Larry Gibson is now in Salina, KS.

09-28-15 First Charter train departs with 484 on the point and 489 in the rear with caboose. For me this is great as it's the first time I've ever seen this setup - live or on camera - with steam.

09-28-15 489 returns with caboose and heads for the wye to turn.


09-28-15 After turning at the wye, and dropping the caboose on the main, 489 pulls a 2nd set of cars out and hooks up to the caboose.


09-28-15 A Short while later the 2nd train departs. I assume the reason 489 can handle it alone is empty weight, fun sounds as she starts to pull.

I think that catches the major moves of the day, if I missed something please let me know, I didn't have time to do a thorough review of all. Thanks.

Lots of cars still at Cumbres as we approach midnight local time.

The camera switched just as I as about the take the capture, but smoke clearly seen in Antonito. No sign of a train back in Chama tonight - yet.

Tuesday should bring the return of Goose 5 as well, usually they arrive late morning so will be watching for that too.

Those CDOT cams produce a rather remarkable night image, especially with a near-full moon.

Looks like a night photo shoot. I got to do one once on Cumbres. It's so clear up there (without the moon) you can see the arm of the Milky Way.






"Faux" Eighty Five is really 489.








489 goes to warp.