10/8/16 The season is drawing to a close...

[Sharon Evans]

...with continued wonderful fall weather, beautiful trees and great passenger loads. As noted last evening, we still have 10 cars on the main in front of the depot so might be another double header today.

[Sharon Evans]

Preparations for today's train 216: 463

10.8.16 463 has come out first to begin the day's work.jpg (107.59 KiB) Viewed 1903 times

10.8.16 484 moves out to switch sides_.jpg (107.01 KiB) Viewed 1901 times

Looks like 489 is getting the helper call again.
489 moves to the pit as 463 finishes at the tank.

10.8.16 463 backs down the main toward the lead to the coal dock.jpg (110.91 KiB) Viewed 1894 times

10.8.16 463 pulls into the lead.jpg (98.59 KiB) Viewed 1894 times

10.8.16 463 gets coal added to its bunker.jpg (95.3 KiB) Viewed 1894 times

463 has gone into south yard after coaling and 489 gets water.

10.8.16 463 comes out withthe 2d green coach.jpg (72.55 KiB) Viewed 1892 times

10.8.16 489 backs toward the coal lead.jpg (110.78 KiB) Viewed 1889 times

10.8.16 The 11 car 216 is now together.jpg (77.73 KiB) Viewed 1889 times

[Sharon Evans]

Morning preparations continued and departure of train 216: 463 road locomotive, 489 helper to Cumbres and 11 cars: 7 coaches, café, open gon, tourist and parlor. The green coach up front may be an Osier flip back.

10.8.16 489 pulls into the lead toward the coal dock.jpg (121.13 KiB) Viewed 1889 times

10.8.16 489 gets coal added to its bunker.jpg (111.51 KiB) Viewed 1889 times

10.8.16 216 has now moved into loading position.jpg (96.35 KiB) Viewed 1889 times

10.8.16 489 has now coupled onto train 216.jpg (127.06 KiB) Viewed 1888 times

Just before Ray gave the hi ball, 2 folding chairs were put on the New Mexico's platform by Mr. Bush.

10.8.16 Conductor Ray is climbing on the New Mexico as it starts to move.jpg (98.85 KiB) Viewed 1866 times

10.8.16 489 and 463 are just getting the 216 underway.jpg (115.78 KiB) Viewed 1866 times

10.8.16 489 and 463 are now by the wood shop.jpg (115.08 KiB) Viewed 1866 times

10.8.16 The fireman on 489 is feeding his charge.jpg (94.27 KiB) Viewed 1866 times

10.8.16 The New Mexico is by the tipple as the locomotives are at the end of north yard.jpg (107.38 KiB) Viewed 1866 times

[Sharon Evans]

10.8.16 489 comes back into Chama from helper duty.jpg (104.45 KiB) Viewed 1851 times

10.8.16 489 now heads to the wye.jpg (79.65 KiB) Viewed 1851 times

10.8.16 With the fire patrol speeder right behind.jpg (87.27 KiB) Viewed 1851 times

10.8.16 489 returns from the wye.jpg (80.9 KiB) Viewed 1850 times

10.8.16 ...and heads to afternoon service.jpg (109.17 KiB) Viewed 1850 times

[Sharon Evans]

Arrival of train 215: 487 and 11 cars, the green coach which went out this am on 216 did come back this afternoon as a flip coach. The flat roofed coach ahead of it may also have flipped. Its kind of worn roof matches the second coach on 216 this morning.

10.8.16 215 has arrived at Cumbres.jpg (89.9 KiB) Viewed 1837 times

10.8.16 487 comes into Chama with an 11 car 215.jpg (93.04 KiB) Viewed 1821 times

As the train passes the tipple we see the 4 extra coaches in front of the regular cars.

10.8.16 Colorado on the markers today.jpg (96.14 KiB) Viewed 1821 times

10.8.16 487 is by the depot as it slows.jpg (69.01 KiB) Viewed 1821 times

10.8.16 One of the green coaches is still labled as Great Northern Railway.jpg (74.24 KiB) Viewed 1821 times

[Sharon Evans]

Something that I have not seen before, they have all 11 cars staged south of the access road to the south end of the engine house. They did not split them today. How do I figure this? What we are seeing in this grab is the 4 extra coaches that came in on 215. Now I do not know it the rest of the train is strung out behind them, but would think so.

10.8.16 All 11 cars are staged for tomorrow.jpg (74.52 KiB) Viewed 1802 times

[Larry Sullivan]

Something that I have not seen before, they have all 11 cars staged south of the access road to the south end of the engine house. They did not split them today. How do I figure this? What we are seeing in this grab is the 4 extra coaches that came in on 215. Now I do not know it the rest of the train is strung out behind them, but would think so.

10.8.16 All 11 cars are staged for tomorrow.jpg

Yes Sharon they pushed the whole string back before doing some switching. Very unusual move for sure.

[Larry Sullivan]

With only a couple weekends left in the season, the railroad continues to go strong. Another double-header today, and it looks like we'll have one tomorrow as well, based on 11 cars still set on the main.

Train 216 heads out with 463 as the road locomotive and 489 as the helper.



489 followed soon after by the fire patrol speeder, returns to Chama



Train 215 returns, 11 cars behind 487



After turning the wye, the entire 11 car trainset is pushed back of the access road and train is not split, which is unusual. Makes you wonder a bit if something more to add in the morning. Some switching was done after that, mostly in the South yard out of sight - seemed to be basically splitting up the cars from the photo train. Perhaps making space to bring back the stock cars at some point.