10/26/15 The days activities begin for the hospital train

[Sharon Evans]

The first locomotive is at the pit for service. What will this day bring? With these shot, I, unfortunately, have to go out. Hope there will be someone covering and we should get Larry S.'s videos later.

[Larry Gibson]

Looks like we may see some post season switching soon.

[Larry Gibson]

Switching in north yard is apparently underway.

[Larry Gibson]

Later it's into the swamp for two tank cars.

[Larry Gibson]

Tank cars are brought over to join cut at oil rack. After 484 backs down the main to the coal dock switch. Then 484 pulls three gins away into the south yard.

[Larry Sullivan]

I'll add in a couple still grabs close up of the spreader - something we don't see much of.

Videos will likely not be posted until late overnight or tomorrow morning due to my work schedule as well as an evening commitment that will keep me from my computer tonight, but all seems to have recorded so far, so I'll get them edited and posted when I can.

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[Larry Gibson]

484 emerges from south yard gon move and pulls away with a caboose on the freight cut stopped on the main. A cold rain continues to come down. A short time later 484 pulls the remaking caboose and cars off the main and puts them in the south yard.

[Larry Gibson]

Later 484 retrieves the 4 coaches and two flats from north yard and moves them to south yard. Looks like they may be possibly assembling hospital train to go out tomorrow.

[Sharon Evans]

It was leaving as I came online, but darn if the hospital train didn't departed Chama at just after 1:30 local time. Luckily it was still on the splash screens for the tipple cams.

[Sharon Evans]

With it going today, guess the work starts on the bridge tomorrow unless they plan to bring the 484 back to Chama instead of over wintering it in Antonito. I guess the other option, which we can hope for, is they are doubling the hill and 484 will come back tonight and then take more cars up tomorrow and combine the train for the run down to Antonito.

[Larry Gibson]

Glad you caught it Sharon! I was distracted with a repairman at the house when it left and missed it. Larry S will have video up later.

[Sharon Evans]

489 has come out to the pit and will go back to the house.

[Sharon Evans]

The hospital train is at Cumbres and looks like he is headed through. They were in no rush since it took 90 minutes to make the run Chama to Cumbres.

[Larry Gibson]

The hospital train is at Cumbres and looks like he is headed through. They were in no rush since it took 90 minutes to make the run Chama to Cumbres.

Farewell 2015! The winter quiet time can set in along the high country portion.Time now to count down to 2016.
Great capture to document! Thanks!

[Sharon Evans]

Welcome, now we can get ready to do it again next year.

[Larry Sullivan]

487 was fully coaled on Sunday and is still hot along with 489 in front of the shop - things may not be totally quiet yet. 488 and 463 are behind the shop and likely cold, with 488 most likely to be first inside for it's 1492 - perhaps someone can let us know when that starts happening.

[Larry Gibson]

487 was fully coaled on Sunday and is still hot along with 489 in front of the shop - things may not be totally quiet yet. 488 and 463 are behind the shop and likely cold, with 488 most likely to be first inside for it's 1492 - perhaps someone can let us know when that starts happening.

Just when we thought things would get dull it stays interesting. Perhaps a second train is in the works to even out loco distribution over the winter. Check back tomorrow:) CDOT might pick up today's move in Antonito... Stay tuned!

[Larry Gibson]

484 is on the ashpit!

[Sharon Evans]

Since he could not have made a full rt to Antonito I am betting that today's train was indeed a Cumbres turn and its sitting up there on the siding. That the cam caught it either headed east over the crossing of 17 or backing into the siding before 484 spun the wye. So we should see a second train tomorrow.

[John Hamman]

Sorry I cannot post a pic of it but there is something in the north end of the yard past the water tank I cannot quite make out - maybe it equipment that has something to do with working on the bridge?
John

[Larry Gibson]

Since he could not have made a full rt to Antonito I am betting that today's train was indeed a Cumbres turn and its sitting up there on the siding. That the cam caught it either headed east over the crossing of 17 or backing into the siding before 484 spun the wye. So we should see a second train tomorrow.

Yep, and look at that loaded flat car waiting down by the tank. Looks like another turn tomorrow if it isn't for upcoming bridge work.

[Sharon Evans]

Question is where did that load come from. I did not notice anything like it in the yard earlier. Looking at the picture, that look like a boom truck. It seems to be too wide for a narrow gauge flat.

[Larry Sullivan]

Question is where did that load come from. I did not notice anything like it in the yard earlier. Looking at the picture, that look like a boom truck. It seems to be too wide for a narrow gauge flat.

484 brought that car back with it - arrived in yard about 5:40 MDT -- will have that as part of video review for the day -- I'll try to get some video up overnight.

[Larry Sullivan]

This is the off season? Busy day in the yard at least until the train left this afternoon. All the switching of the day, plus train departure is here - 484 also returned at the end of the day with a piece of equipment on a flat car. Perhaps we'll get a better view of this car or someone local can perhaps get us a pic.

10-26-15 Yard switching - parts 1 to 5

[Larry Sullivan]

10-26-15 Hospital Train departs - headed for Cumbres.

[Larry Sullivan]

10-26-15 484 returned in the afternoon with one car that was dropped next to the main near the water tank. Perhaps something to do with the upcoming bridge work. Hopefully we get a better view.

NOTE: Golden sunshine in the yard so there is about a 5 minute video just watching the colors of "golden hour" with sun in and out, before 484 shows up. 484 whistle is heard at the various crossings before getting to the yard.

[Larry Sullivan]

Now that I've come home and can blow up the camera on my big computer screen, that mystery car is a flat with a backhoe on it -- likely something else on the front (closest to the camera) part of the car as well, but definitely without a doubt a backhoe is the part sticking in the air.

[Jason Rose]

Likely for use on the Rio Chama bridge.