9/18/17 Monday - advanced school

[Sharon Evans]

Morning preparations:

9-18-17 The hostlers are moving things early.jpg (93.92 KiB) Viewed 3094 times

9-18-17 489 makes the first move away from the house.jpg (183.53 KiB) Viewed 3075 times

9-18-17 489 comes over the pit so the hostlers can clean the fire.jpg (162.61 KiB) Viewed 3075 times

489 is now at the tank taking on water as the students bring 463 out

9-18-17 463 is coming over the pit.jpg (177.54 KiB) Viewed 3071 times

The speeder is patiently waiting for them to get clear

9-18-17 The students are gathered around the 463 as they get ready to blow the fire clean.jpg (181.64 KiB) Viewed 3069 times

9-18-17 The 489 backs toward the lead to the coal dock.jpg (186.77 KiB) Viewed 3068 times

9-18-17 The switch set to the lead, the 489 moves ahead while at the pit the students are still cleaning.jpg (166.2 KiB) Viewed 3068 times

9-18-17 The loader is leveling the last bucket load it added.jpg (163.93 KiB) Viewed 3068 times

9-18-17 The 489 has moved onto the main and waits its road crew as 463 is still at the pit.jpg (221.72 KiB) Viewed 3024 times

[Sharon Evans]

Morning preparations continued and advanced school activity: I don't say departure since all they may do this morning is putz around in the yard. Considering that the students have not moved and it is almost time for the locomotive that will go on 216 to begin its prep, I would say that they are going to begin after this. Remember that with the advanced class the students do everything including prepping their locomotive.

9-18-17 Finished with cleaning and watering, the 463 backs toward the coal dock lead with both a student and mentor on the tender.jpg (230.11 KiB) Viewed 3024 times

9-18-17 The 489 has coupled onto today's 216 while the 463 pulls into the coal lead.jpg (239.08 KiB) Viewed 3024 times

9-18-17 The 463 now gets its bunker filled while the students stand at a safe distance.jpg (234.47 KiB) Viewed 3024 times

9-18-17 The 463 backs into south yard while 489 waits to pull its train forward.jpg (239.78 KiB) Viewed 3024 times

9-18-17 The 463 continues into south yard and 489 has pulled the train into loading position.jpg (247.5 KiB) Viewed 3024 times

[Sharon Evans]

Departure of train 216: 489 and 8 cars It seems that the railroad has made a determination to keep both train sets at 8 cars for now.

9-18-17 The 489 gets its 8 car train 216 underway while the 463 waits in south yard.jpg (246.51 KiB) Viewed 3024 times

9-18-17 Nice steam effects on this cool September day.jpg (216.91 KiB) Viewed 3024 times

By the tipple and the engineer is blowing for the running brake test

9-18-17 The parlor Colorado is on the markers and if you look closely the conductor is moving toward the door.jpg (215.73 KiB) Viewed 3024 times

9-18-17 The trains is moving through north yard as it leaves Chama.jpg (213.75 KiB) Viewed 3024 times

9-18-17 The last cars are almost out of view as they round the curve.jpg (231.17 KiB) Viewed 3024 times

[Sharon Evans]

Advanced Student train continued: There is some nice switching which I am complying a video to present.

9-18-17 The 463 comes out of south yard with 3 coaches.jpg (250.25 KiB) Viewed 3017 times

9-18-17 Now shoves back into south yard where the freight cars from the RGS trains are.jpg (258.66 KiB) Viewed 3017 times

9-18-17 Pulls some of these cars out-.jpg (244.2 KiB) Viewed 3017 times

9-18-17 After a bunch of movement in south yard, they come out with one coach and 3 stock cars which go on their train.jpg (247.57 KiB) Viewed 3014 times

[Sharon Evans]

Departure of the Advanced Student train: 463 and 8 cars and a caboose

9-18-17 Shrouded in its own smoke and steam, the 463 gets the advanced student train underway.jpg (178.72 KiB) Viewed 3010 times

9-18-17 The train is almost on the main as 463 comes by the wood shop.jpg (220.34 KiB) Viewed 3010 times

The train is passing the tipple and one of the railroad's crewman is leaning out of the cab

9-18-17 After a busy morning of switching, the 463 needs a drink before heading up the hill.jpg (228.61 KiB) Viewed 3008 times

9-18-17 back underway, we see 3 of the 6 students in the caboose.jpg (230.17 KiB) Viewed 3008 times

9-18-17 The caboose is by the tank.jpg (221.07 KiB) Viewed 3008 times

9-18-17 The advanced student train is clearing north yard_.jpg (219.65 KiB) Viewed 3008 times

9-18-17 Looks like the students left the coach at Cumbres.jpg (180.29 KiB) Viewed 3014 times

9-18-17 Now looks like we can see the caboose of their train to the right of the coach.jpg (172.72 KiB) Viewed 3010 times

[Sharon Evans]

Arrival of train 215: 487 and 7 cars:

9-18-17 The 487 comes into Chama with a 7 car train 215.jpg (180.72 KiB) Viewed 3003 times

9-18-17 The 487 comes up to the tipple with its train.jpg (181.32 KiB) Viewed 3003 times

By the tipple with a few passengers still enjoying the open gon

9-18-17 The parlor New Mexico is on the markers_.jpg (205.58 KiB) Viewed 3003 times

9-18-17 The 487 is by the depot and almost stopped.jpg (166.34 KiB) Viewed 3003 times

9-18-17 The train is stopped.jpg (166.5 KiB) Viewed 3003 times

After wyeing the train the crew went into south yard.

9-18-17 The train crew has pulled 2 extra coaches out of south yard.jpg (226.75 KiB) Viewed 2996 times

9-18-17 and attached one to the train for tomorrow.jpg (170.88 KiB) Viewed 2996 times

[Sharon Evans]

Arrival of the Advanced Student train:

9-18-17 The headlight of 463 shines out from the shadows as the Advanced Student train returns.jpg (220.81 KiB) Viewed 2975 times

9-18-17 The setting sun catches the train as it passes the tank.jpg (227.51 KiB) Viewed 2975 times

9-18-17 This is why they call this time of day the golden hour.jpg (225.41 KiB) Viewed 2975 times

9-18-17 On the way to the wye, the caboose passes the wood shop.jpg (248.15 KiB) Viewed 2975 times

9-18-17 Passing through south yard.jpg (262.94 KiB) Viewed 2975 times

9-18-17 The train is returning from the wye.jpg (248.57 KiB) Viewed 2975 times

9-18-17 Stopped and ready to shove back into south yard.jpg (255.59 KiB) Viewed 2975 times

[Pete Dahlberg]

Morning preparations continued and advanced school activity: I don't say departure since all they may do this morning is putz around in the yard. Considering that the students have not moved and it is almost time for the locomotive that will go on 216 to begin its prep, I would say that they are going to begin after this. Remember that with the advanced class the students do everything including prepping their locomotive.

9-18-17 Finished with cleaning and watering, the 463 backs toward the coal dock lead with both a student and mentor on the tender.jpg

9-18-17 The 489 has coupled onto today's 216 while the 463 pulls into the coal lead.jpg

9-18-17 The 463 now gets its bunker filled while the students stand at a safe distance.jpg

9-18-17 The 463 backs into south yard while 489 waits to pull its train forward.jpg

9-18-17 The 463 continues into south yard and 489 has pulled the train into loading position.jpg

Advanced school is not as scripted as the regular Fireman/Engineer school. After prepping the engine students will spend time picking the cars for their train out of the strings in the South yard. Occasionally there will be a minor mechanical issue on one of the cars which will need fixing. Also since the brakeman and engineer are communicating via hand signals there will be some miscues. The capper is that connecting the gladhands (air brakes) so there is not an air leak is not as easy as it looks.

After getting their train made up, they will head up to Cumbres and will probably set out a car at the Lobato siding. At Cumbres, they will probably set out another car and pick up a car or two that were set out earlier. then they will turn the train and return to Chama probably picking up the cars setout at Lobato. Back at Chama they will turn the train, perhaps do some switching after dropping the train and then do the end of run cleanout.

The second and third days will be more of the same, perhaps with a run over to Antonito all the while staying out the way of 215 and 216. These exercises are a good way for the railroad to transfer cars from Chama to Antonito or vice versa. It really gives you a healthy dose of respect for what the regular crews do on a daily basis.