Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

Right now it looks like we have another 10 car train 216 for the end of the season, so double header today. We go out in style.
The Weather Channel has the current temperature as 27 degrees at just before 8am MDT.
Morning preparations:


For those listening, the hostler on the throttle of the 489 is a whistle jockey. Nice to hear him do his thing.

Departure of the final train 216 for the 2017 season: 488 helper to Cumbres Pass, 489 road locomotive to Antonito and 10 cars








The New Mexico train set will probably over winter in Antonito as will the 489, but you can never be sure until the end of December when the Christmas trains are done.
The streaming spirits were smiling on this last morning since the 2 tipple cams were in almost perfect sync.

Here is the last departure of the regular westbound train from my perspective. This has been one great, interesting season.

Now whether this is just checking it out or they are getting ready to do something, will keep my eyes open.




15 seems shut down again so test was in order,

Arrival of the final train 215 for the 2017 season: 463 and 10 cars

Sharon, Friends & Guests. Sharon thank you for a whole season of going out of your way to bring us the departure and arrival of all of the trains running in and out of Chama. Every morning and afternoon I have my Home theater, Desk top and lap top on the three yard cams. I still view your posts every day and review your YouTube posts also. I keep involved in the media because it is the next best thing to actually being on the train every day. If my plans work out I plan to spend the entire summer next year riding the C&TSRR. until then I will miss you guys.

Well Frank, If you are planning to spend the whole summer waving at us, then I will see you come 7/20/18 when I get into Chama and since I chase 215 on the day I arrive, will wave at you.

Sharon,

Please accept my humble thanks to you and Rick for another season of postings. Ditto to all who have contributed in anyway to the operation of the cameras from the initial installation, crawling under the depot, providing and monitoring this forum, to John Cole recently cleaning the lenses. Frank I hope everything comes together for you to be able to ride all summer next year. We won't have to wonder what is happening, or why a train is really late. Thanks for all of your on the ground reports this past season. All ready to start counting down until next May.

Bill

As we are thanking people we must not forget Larry Sullivan who did the posting for the last several years and began doing it this year but had to stop due to various life situations.

Here's the last eastbound train pulling into Chama for the last time- albeit from my perspective here in Echo.

463 switches two coaches into storage tracks after returning from wye after final train of season.
Now dreaming about next year!!

If it holds to past years, the 12 month employees working in the engine house begin the 10 hour, 4 day weeks tomorrow and will continue this, except for the Christmas train week, until the 2018 season begins. I think I remember that they also shut down for a week + around Christmas and New Years

Frank Smith wrote:

It is not my job.PNG

Sharon, Friends & Guests. Sharon thank you for a whole season of going out of your way to bring us the departure and arrival of all of the trains running in and out of Chama. Every morning and afternoon I have my Home theater, Desk top and lap top on the three yard cams. I still view your posts every day and review your YouTube posts also. I keep involved in the media because it is the next best thing to actually being on the train every day. If my plans work out I plan to spend the entire summer next year riding the C&TSRR. until then I will miss you guys.

Good Morning Frank. Great news that you are returning next year. Since you are born New Mexican I am not surprised that you are a returning New Mexican. Rick