8/31/16 End of an eventful August

[Sharon Evans]

The day is beginning up at Cumbres as the sun crest over the trees and it looks like people at the work train.

8.31.16 The sun is over the yardarm and work begins at Cumbres.jpg (80.71 KiB) Viewed 1591 times

As I noted yesterday, there is an extra coach staged for today's train but after seeing Larry G.'s thread, viewtopic.php?f=11&t=3947 , and car 517 Chama on 215 yesterday having truck issues, it maybe there incase they need to replace it.

[Sharon Evans]

Preparations for today's 216: 484

8.31.16 484 has come out to begin getting ready for today's train.jpg (161.86 KiB) Viewed 1586 times

8.31.16 484 is now at the tank getting water.jpg (189.35 KiB) Viewed 1584 times

8.31.16 484 backs toward the coal lead switch.jpg (149.07 KiB) Viewed 1582 times

8.31.16 484 now moves into the lead to the coal dock.jpg (161.34 KiB) Viewed 1582 times

8.31.16 As one hostler adds coal to the 484's bunker the other one washes the cab off.jpg (145.28 KiB) Viewed 1582 times

8.31.16 As one hostler closes the switch the other gets the 484 to the handover spot.jpg (179.86 KiB) Viewed 1580 times

8.31.16 484 has coupled the staged coach to train 216.jpg (117.13 KiB) Viewed 1571 times

[Sharon Evans]

Departure of train 216: 484 and 8 cars

8.31.16 The train has moved into loading position.jpg (121.6 KiB) Viewed 1567 times

8.31.16 The conductor gives 216 the hi ball.jpg (129.13 KiB) Viewed 1537 times

8.31.16 The 484 gives some nice smoke on departure.jpg (169.52 KiB) Viewed 1537 times

8.31.16 The 484 continues to put out nice smoke as it passes some fans on the wood shop platform.jpg (173.63 KiB) Viewed 1537 times

8.31.16 The extra coach must be deadheading again today.jpg (156.96 KiB) Viewed 1537 times

8.31.16 The conductor is leaning out trying to see where the noise is.jpg (163.74 KiB) Viewed 1537 times

8.31.16 The train has stopped after several slips by 484.jpg (167.22 KiB) Viewed 1537 times

There seems to be some kind of problem. I noted as the last 2 cars passed the tipple there was a loud squeaking and the train was really going slow. It stopped up at the house lead switch after 484 was having a lot of trouble getting its footing.

8.31.16 The 15 is starting up.jpg (165.75 KiB) Viewed 1549 times

Seem happy for 216 is headed on out of town.

8.31.16 After the short stop and inspection by the crew 216 is underway again.jpg (156.47 KiB) Viewed 1537 times

They have shut the 15 down again so they must have solved the issue to their satisfaction.

[Sharon Evans]

This is probably what made the issues this morning even more anxiety producing for management. The 489 had gone cold in prep for a boiler wash so was not available as backup. Though the issue seemed to be with brakes not the 484.

8.31.16 489 is cold and probably in for a wash.jpg (157.45 KiB) Viewed 1507 times

[Sharon Evans]

Arrival of train 215: 487 and 7 cars

8.31.16 487 brings a 7 car 215 into Chama.jpg (133.15 KiB) Viewed 1475 times

We see a few people in the open gon.

As the Colorado passes, the apron ties of the car host make an almost perfect 'x' in the door window.

8.31.16 The Colorado is on the markers today.jpg (150.4 KiB) Viewed 1475 times

8.31.16 The 487 comes by the depot waiting for the stop signal.jpg (118.92 KiB) Viewed 1475 times

[Larry Sullivan]

Videos of the day -- yep getting back on track with these, with things getting back to normal on my timeline.

The 216 departure today obviously had some difficulties, but the crews figured it out quickly and got the train underway. Probably seemed to start at the normal rolling brake check, as after the whistle for that is when the train was obviously slowing and struggling a bit. Guessing a stuck brake in the back someplace, #15 was started up as a precaution as there was no other hot K-36 available at the time. All was well and they got out of the yard with only about a 15 minute delay.



Train 215 Returns, just prior to the train coming into the yard a deer crosses and grazes a bit in the weeds.