8/25/18 Saturday and Trains train

[Sharon Evans]

Morning preparations for special:

The headlight of the second glows in the mist. The cam switched and now I see its the 483.

2018-08-25 The cams are still in B&W as the first locomotive comes to the pit.jpg (65.84 KiB) Viewed 2805 times

The 483, nee 488, has moved to the tank as the 484 is at the pit. We can now see the Rio Grande lettering on the 484's tender.

2018-08-25 Both are at the tank, 483 washing coal and 484 getting water and washing.jpg (85.14 KiB) Viewed 2802 times

2018-08-25 The 483 backs down to the coal dock lead as Avery gets gas cans for filling.jpg (84.08 KiB) Viewed 2802 times

If you look closely, I think I got the 484 doing a blow down on the engineer's side.

2018-08-25 The loader starts filling the tender of 483 as 484 is ready to back down the main.jpg (83.72 KiB) Viewed 2801 times

The 484 now backs toward the coal dock lead as the 483 has backed into the clear. 484 and 489 simmer at the house.

2018-08-25 The 484 is getting coal for the run east as we see members of genus railfan flocking around.jpg (93.51 KiB) Viewed 2800 times

The 483 has backed onto the train as 484 comes out of the lead to get clear

Again, members of genus railfan are flocking thickly around their prey.

2018-08-25 The 484 is now parked waiting for the train to pull ahead and then couple on.jpg (102.68 KiB) Viewed 2797 times

2018-08-25 The 484 has now backed next to the 483.jpg (94.46 KiB) Viewed 2788 times

[Sharon Evans]

Departure of the Trains Magazine special: I am waiting to see if the first run by is of the departure right here in Chama.

2018-08-25 The 483 is pulling the train out of south yard.jpg (94.52 KiB) Viewed 2783 times

2018-08-25 The train is almost clear of south yard.jpg (94.94 KiB) Viewed 2783 times

The train has pulled far enough forward so 484 is clear to move

Looks like 484 is coupling to the caboose and will then couple to the train, so we have not a double header but a shove from the rear, or as the English call it a 'banker' or "top and tail". This video is going to require some time to properly edit so it will not be posted until later today. I am also thinking that the riders are not going to get on the train until the pass where the rider cars that went up yesterday will be coupled on. They will chase in a bus to that point.

The 484 has now coupled onto the train. My first triple, click on it to get a larger image.

I am having north cam issues but I see we have 120+ watching.

2018-08-25 Looks like the crews of the special are reviewing their orders.jpg (71.96 KiB) Viewed 2774 times

The 483 and 484 get the Trains special underway as 487 and 489 wait by the tank

The 484 gets up to the tipple as the 483 passes the tank

2018-08-25 The caboose is just visible in all the smoke from 4 K36's.jpg (48.6 KiB) Viewed 2761 times

2018-08-25 The caboose is passing the tank.jpg (87.7 KiB) Viewed 2761 times

2018-08-25 The smoke plume of the 484 is just visible at the end of the yard.jpg (79.04 KiB) Viewed 2761 times

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[Sharon Evans]

Morning preparations for 216: Looks like they brought out both 487 and 489 as part of the show for the people with the Trains special

2018-08-25 As the special waits to depart, the regular day must go on as 487 comes to the pit.jpg (87.91 KiB) Viewed 2777 times

2018-08-25 The 489 is now out behind the 487 so a double headed on 216.jpg (89.1 KiB) Viewed 2774 times

The 487 has moved to the tank as 489 comes to the pit and 483 waits

2018-08-25 With the special train gone, the 487 backs toward the coal dock lead.jpg (76.38 KiB) Viewed 2703 times

2018-08-25 The 487 moves by the woodshop on its way to get coal.jpg (84.81 KiB) Viewed 2703 times

The 487 now gets its coal bunker filled while the 489 has gone back to the house, so no double header today.

2018-08-25 The 487 is now waiting for its road crew to take over.jpg (85.05 KiB) Viewed 2703 times

2018-08-25 The 487 has coupled onto today's 7 car train 216 as the speeder fills its water tank.jpg (88.81 KiB) Viewed 2703 times

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[Sharon Evans]

Departure of train 216:

2018-08-25 The train is now in loading position.jpg (84.69 KiB) Viewed 2702 times

2018-08-25 The conductor is signaling the high ball.jpg (74.76 KiB) Viewed 2699 times

2018-08-25 With cool, damp air again we have nice steam effects as 487 gets the train moving.jpg (93.23 KiB) Viewed 2699 times

2018-08-25 The 487 comes by the woodshop.jpg (89.18 KiB) Viewed 2699 times

As the train passes the tipple, seems no one has moved into the open gon yet

2018-08-25 On the platform of the Colorado is the conductor and a passenger sporting bib overalls.jpg (86.17 KiB) Viewed 2699 times

2018-08-25 The parlor is passing the tank.jpg (84 KiB) Viewed 2699 times

2018-08-25 We can see 2 speeders following the train_.jpg (81.63 KiB) Viewed 2699 times

[Sharon Evans]

Arrival of train 215:

The cam seems stuck at 1444 so probably no shot of the train.

2018-08-25 Looks like the riders on the Trains special took their cars to Cumbres and will drive back after the dinner.jpg (102.24 KiB) Viewed 2693 times

2018-08-25 The 463 comes around the curve and is about to enter Chama yard.jpg (96.91 KiB) Viewed 2674 times

2018-08-25 The 463 is passing the tank as the speeder is now seen.jpg (96.53 KiB) Viewed 2674 times

2018-08-25 The 463 has almost gotten to the tipple.jpg (97.45 KiB) Viewed 2674 times

A few passengers still in the open gon as the train passes the tipple

2018-08-25 The parlor New Mexico brings up the markers on this afternoon's train.jpg (95.43 KiB) Viewed 2674 times

The 463 is by the display train as the parlor crosses the access road

2018-08-25 The 463 is almost stopped as some young fans look on.jpg (71.53 KiB) Viewed 2673 times

2018-08-25 The 463 is now stopped as the young ones have covered their ears for the whistle.jpg (71.42 KiB) Viewed 2673 times

[Pete Dahlberg]

A few details on Trains special - The participants had an option to chase the train to Cumbres either on a bus or their own cars. The train waited until the bus's were in place at Lobato, Dalton, 2nd crossing, just before Cresco and the rock beneath Windy Point before doing a run-by. At Cumbres the rider cars were added (making a 20 car train) and 484 went light to Antonito. Extra 483 waited at Cumbres for 216. When 216 arrived, it required Extra 483 to do a saw action since it was too long for the siding. Once 216 had passed, Extra 483 proceeded to Ossier with several run-bys along the way. Extra 483 arrived at Ossier as 216 was leaving so was able to pull in for lunch. Following lunch Extra 483 proceeded to Antonito with several more run-bys as the clouds would allow. After arriving at Antonito, Extra 483 parked on the loop after the passenger cars were moved and the participants were bussed to Cumbres for dinner and a slide show documenting the last freight operations on the D&RGW in 1958.

[Sharon Evans]

Thanks Pete for that explanation of the day's events.