9/12/16 Monday and new week to watch

[Sharon Evans]

No cars in the lot yet and the deer are still walking about, over in front of the log house. If I remember correctly, on their first day they stay around Chama doing yard switching.

[Sharon Evans]

Preparations for today's train 216: 489

9.12.16 489 comes out to the pit to begin its day.jpg (105.99 KiB) Viewed 2892 times

9.12.16 489 is now at the water tank getting filled up.jpg (124.28 KiB) Viewed 2888 times

9.12.16 The 489 backs down the main as it moves to the coal dock.jpg (119.6 KiB) Viewed 2886 times

9.12.16 The 489 now moves ahead through the switches to get to the dock.jpg (111.82 KiB) Viewed 2886 times

9.12.16 The bucket loader adds coal to 489's bunker.jpg (96.74 KiB) Viewed 2886 times

9.12.16 The road crewman who likes to get started early is at the 489.jpg (98.82 KiB) Viewed 2885 times

9.12.16 The 489 is now waiting for the remainder of its road crew.jpg (113.3 KiB) Viewed 2883 times

9.12.16 489 has now coupled onto train 216.jpg (82.48 KiB) Viewed 2876 times

[Sharon Evans]

Student train preparations: 463

9.12.16 The 463, aka squeeky, has moved out to the pit.jpg (119.13 KiB) Viewed 2883 times

It is hard to see, but I think that the advanced students are getting a taste of how to blow down an ash pan.

9.12.16 463 has moved down to the tank.jpg (110.8 KiB) Viewed 2875 times

9.12.16 The 463 backs down the main on its way to the coal dock.jpg (110.56 KiB) Viewed 2867 times

9.12.16 The 463 pulls into the lead for the coal dock as we see 216 at the station and probably Julian at the pit washing it down.jpg (115.43 KiB) Viewed 2871 times

9.12.16 The student overshoot the dock giving us a nice profile of the 463.jpg (106.17 KiB) Viewed 2871 times

9.12.16 Now in the correct location, the loader adds coal.jpg (115.09 KiB) Viewed 2871 times

The 463 will probably remain at the dock until 216 leaves.

9.12.16 We see some of the advanced students and instructors around the 463.jpg (113.93 KiB) Viewed 2867 times

9.12.16 The 463 backs out of the coal dock now that 216 has departed.jpg (110.84 KiB) Viewed 2861 times

[Sharon Evans]

Departure of train 216: 489 and 7 cars

9.12.16 Train 216 is now in loading position.jpg (84.13 KiB) Viewed 2874 times

9.12.16 Hand raised the conductor gives 216 the hi ball.jpg (89.85 KiB) Viewed 2861 times

9.12.16 The conductor has now climbed onto the New Mexico.jpg (90.79 KiB) Viewed 2861 times

9.12.16 Billowing smoke, the 489 comes by the open wood shop.jpg (100.96 KiB) Viewed 2861 times

The students are gathered around 463 as 216 passes by.

9.12.16 The conductor on 216 gives the students a greeting as they pass.jpg (86.12 KiB) Viewed 2861 times

9.12.16 Train 216 clears Chama as the students and instructors confire.jpg (82.88 KiB) Viewed 2861 times

[Sharon Evans]

As I have been watching all morning, the advanced students are doing almost everything. They are throwing the switches, acting as conductor and earlier cleaned the ash pan. I would not be surprised if they are not also acting as fireman.

9.12.16 The 463 backs by the depot with a student and instructor on the tender.jpg (82.34 KiB) Viewed 2860 times

[Pete Dahlberg]

The advanced class has the students doing all of the regular crew duties (under the supervision of experienced crew members). This includes cleaning the ash in the morning (and at night), oiling, taking water, taking coal, throwing switches, coupling and connecting air lines, setting out cars, driving, firing and minor repairs. One of the things that is really stressed is the coordination and communication required between crew on the ground and in the cab. About the only thing they don't do is figure out in which order to pick up cars so that they can readily be set out later on. It is a lot more "fluid" than the regular schools since the students are setting trains up for RR events in the next several weeks. Although you get an appreciation of what real railroaders do from the regular schools, the advanced school really drives this home, particularly when you are trying to do your work around the schedule of the regular trains. Because there is a maximum of 6 students, you end up doing a lot more work than in the regular classes. Last year I would have liked if the school had gone on for 2 full weeks, it was that much fun.

[Sharon Evans]

Thanks Pete, that is the impression I was getting in watching what was going on. I bet it is more fun since it is a more immersive experience. Last I checked on the C&TS site, there were only 4 students this year so they are going to work that fannies off.

[Sharon Evans]

Arrival of train 215: 487 and 7 cars

9.12.16 487 brings train 215 into Chama.jpg (105.82 KiB) Viewed 2803 times

Even with the rain, there are passengers riding the open gon.

9.12.16 Only the trainman is on the platform of the Colorado.jpg (115.62 KiB) Viewed 2803 times

9.12.16 The 487 is by the depot and we see someone in a pink sweater riding on the first coach.jpg (84.17 KiB) Viewed 2803 times

[Sharon Evans]

I left home shortly after 216 departed so missed out on that the students did this afternoon and now the 463 seems gone somewhere, up the hill maybe? Also anyone know their schedule for Tuesday and Wednesday? Well one thing that they did, retrieve the stock cars from deep inside of south yard and put them up by Gramps.

[Pete Dahlberg]

Thanks Pete, that is the impression I was getting in watching what was going on. I bet it is more fun since it is a more immersive experience. Last I checked on the C&TS site, there were only 4 students this year so they are going to work that fannies off.

Last year with 6 students we had 2 firemen, an engineer and a brakeman working. The other two students were "dead heading" until it was there turn to work. Crew change spots were Lobato, Cumbres, Los Pinos and Osier (we did not go all the way to Antonito). At that time we were staging cars to go over to Antonito for one of the photo specials.

[Pete Dahlberg]

I left home shortly after 216 departed so missed out on that the students did this afternoon and now the 463 seems gone somewhere, up the hill maybe? Also anyone know their schedule for Tuesday and Wednesday? Well one thing that they did, retrieve the stock cars from deep inside of south yard and put them up by Gramps.

Last year they were working out the schedule for class so I don't know if this year will be the same. Here's what we did.
Monday, make up a train in the Chama yard including pulling some cars from the middle of a string. Discovered a broken air hose and replaced it. Discovered a problem with 463 which resulted in an engine swap and an early lunch. Ran up to Cumbres setting out some cars at Lobato and at Cumbres. Turned at Cumbres and came back down to Chama picking up the setout at Lobato. Turned the train and dropped the cars and then did end of day ash cleanout and fire reset.
Tuesday, pretty much the Monday routine but without the engine swap or airhose replacement. After turning the train, made up the train for Wednesday morning since we would be running ahead of 216. Did the end of day cleanout.
Wednesday, left early and did a setout at Lobato. At Cumbres we picked up the cars that had been setout there on Monday and Tuesday and proceeded toward Osier. After a crew change at Los Pinos, we discovered a problem with brake rigging on one of the cars picked up at Cumbres. It had to be repaired there because MOW was occupying the siding at Los Pinos. We proceeded to Osier barely ahead of 216 and were able to turn the train on the loop before 215 arrived. After lunch we proceeded back to Cumbres and setout cars for the upcoming photo train. We then proceeded back to Chama picking up the setout from that morning.

There had been some talk at the time about a trip to Antonito but last year it did not work out. Perhaps with the photo train, movie, etc. this year's class may go over to Antonito.

[Sharon Evans]

Again, thanks Pete for your insight.

[Jim Reynolds]

I am in this year's advanced class (and last years as well). Pete is exactly right about our duties and responsibilities. There are only 4 of us this year which means we are all working all the time. Yesterday we set out a box car at Lobato and then a stock car at Cumberes. We turned at Cumbres and followed 215 down the hill, picking up the box car at Lobato. Today we will switch in the yard in the morning, making up our train, then head to Cumbres. We wil set a car out at Lobato and another stock car at Cumbres. The stock cars will stay at Cumbres for a future photo event. Tomorrow we will do pretty much the same, except go to Osier and likely set out cars at Los Pinos to be picked up on our return.

Having only 4 is much better than 6 as the learning is faster, we get to do more and are always busy. I have done the fireman class, 3 engineer classes and the advanced school last year. I must say that yesterday was the most fun day i have ever had in steam railroading

[Sharon Evans]

Jim, thanks for that "on scene" report. Look forward to more from you if you can.

[Larry Sullivan]

Video from the day -

216 departs, as 463 awaits at the coal dock to begin the days switching.



After some switching in the South yard, 463 brings a string of stock cars to the North yard.



463 brought one of the stock cars to the South yard, picked up the rest of the train and headed on out after stopping for water.

[Larry Sullivan]

Train 215 arrives. After turning at the wye, 484 did a small amount of switching, moving the caboose that has been on the Friends work session track, over beside the roundhouse. Perhaps clearing that track for more school train switching use today?



Finally the school train arrives back in Chama