We'll start the day with 315 getting moved inside the West stall of the shop. Here the tender was mated to the locomotive. Our boots on the ground Larry Gibson was able to get some shots of the work, look in the day six picture package for that.
Goose 5 and 7 made a round trip to Osier today. Here's the Chama departure. Note our resident deer that investigates after #7 goes by.
Train 216 Departure
Goose 5 and 7 return from Osier, our deer makes another appearance shortly after 7 goes by the tipple. Geese were turned then parked on the depot track.
Final video of the day is 215 returning.
For photos from the day, you can visit the Larry Gibson day 6 thread here -- viewtopic.php?f=11&t=3907
315 started early this morning, went to ash pit and watered as normal, but surprised they skipped the coal dock. In a rare move, 315 brings the entire train to the coal dock.
After backing from the coal dock, 315 departed the yard. Going uphill they had to drop one car at Lobato, as with the slick wet rails it was just too much weight to pull.
Train 216 Departure from Chama
Need to look and see if I have more from this day.
The 216 departure today obviously had some difficulties, but the crews figured it out quickly and got the train underway. Probably seemed to start at the normal rolling brake check, as after the whistle for that is when the train was obviously slowing and struggling a bit. Guessing a stuck brake in the back someplace, #15 was started up as a precaution as there was no other hot K-36 available at the time. All was well and they got out of the yard with only about a 15 minute delay.
Train 215 Returns, just prior to the train coming into the yard a deer crosses and grazes a bit in the weeds.
Train 216 departs, these cooler mornings do make for some nice smoke.
Another successful conclusion to the fireman/engineer school as 484 brings in the train from Antonito. Right down to the wye, and after turning 484 shoves the train-set into the South yard. Perhaps they'll use this same set on next week's school, though as that is the advanced school they may do something different.
Train 215 returns as 484 is getting a cleaning as the ash pit.
Train 215 returns. After 489 turned the train at the wye, 487 took over for the dinner train.
Dinner train departs Chama - as 487 got going, the fire patrol speeder had to make a quick retreat as 489 wanted to head to the shop, speeder then headed out for it's patrol .
Dinner train returned about 9pm (no video on that one).
Train 216 departs, doubleheader today. One of the passengers was waving at the cameras from the open gon.
#463 and the students had been down in the North yard much of the morning switching, and waiting for 216 to depart. After departure, they came back with a stock car and two oil tank cars. Stopped at the coal dock for some fuel as well.
The school train departs after lunch, with a stop at the water tank before heading up the hill.
487 returned followed closely by the fire patrol speeder, both headed for a turn at the wye. About an hour later a lone buck crosses the yard from the swamp, and 1/2 hour after that returned with two other deer. Maybe they were in town for lunch!
Train 215 returns, and once again we have someone madly waving at the cameras, I think the same person that went out this morning. Hope you had a great day on the railroad!!
To wrap the day the school train returns, less the stock car - I think I remember that being posted as dropped off at Cumbres.
463 was at the ash pit early, when 3 of the deer made a visit. Looks like they were headed to the swamp, but after a discussion decided not to cross the track with a locomotive there, and headed off the other way.
The cams froze for quite some time in the morning, so some activity was missed - but back in time to see the student train depart after, I assume, taking on water.
Train 216 Departs - some nice smoke this morning in the cool damp air.
The painters arrived and went to work, at the end of the day the water tank and all the buildings along the main were a brown color. Sped up version of the painting - they probably wish they could work that fast!
Train 215 returns, some passengers may have thought they were in a different place with all the painting done!
463 brings home the student train. After turning the wye, and spotting the cars in the South yard, 463 picked up 3 cars and brought them to the swamp. I think the first car is the wheel and tie car the Friends were working on, then the box and reefer were the ones on the depot track before the Geese came to town.
A much quieter day around the yard, though the painters did walk down with a couple ladders to the area of the tank this afternoon. They also had the high-lift truck down there, though I never saw them actually use it, so some work still going on with painting.
Train 216 departure - another doubleheader today, and once again, I think the same person, waving madly at us from the open gondola.
215 returned this afternoon with 487 in the lead. Not on the video, but after turning the train they pulled one of the box cars out from next to the roundhouse and brought it to the South yard, along with doing some other switching back there.
489 prepared early to head to Cumbres and it's work train of ballast cars. Rare to get the early morning, B&W look so decided to upload it. Watch the last minute or so, right after the first scoop of coal dumped, looks like the whole cab is glowing fire -- hosing things down, so just steam, but makes for an interesting look.
489 heads out light on the way up the hill.
Train 216 Departure, once again we have our waver in the open gon -- what a life, gets to ride the rails daily!
Train 215 arrival with 463 in the lead. Not on video, but there was some switching in the South yard done after turning the train.
Train 216, 3rd doubleheader of the week heads on out.
Train 215 Returns, now the swap out for the dinner train.
The dinner train departs, coach behind the locomotive is one of the painted coaches for the Great Northern Railway - for the upcoming movie shoot.
After the dinner train departed, 484 moved the stock cars to the South yard, next to the main - hooked to an oil car there. After that they put the caboose on the track the Friends use for the work sessions.
To close the day the dinner train returns a little before 9pm.
Goose 7 is moved from the depot track to the North yard.
463 departs with a freight extra charter.
Train 215 Arrival
After turning 215, 489 did some switching getting the RPO (aka baggage car ) and the two coaches painted and lettered for the Great Northern Railway. All 3 were placed on the track next to the main.
No yard cams today as they were doing a movie shoot and basically closed down the Chama yard to do so. Cams were requested to be turned off, train 216 actually boarded at first crossing.
Train 216, another doubleheader with the Great Northern Railway coach behind the locomotives.
Helper locomotive 489 returns light, usually the fire patrol comes in just behind the helper, but they were back some 30 minutes prior, so wonder what 489 was doing.
Train 215 returns - I also added in the return from the wye as we had very clear whistle crossing 17 at the wye, and good sound on return.
Thought I'd add this one - as 463 was spotting a couple coaches in the South yard, the rains started and we had a double rainbow form in view of the depot cam.
215 arrives in the first snow of the season, very wet didn't stick to the ground, but signs of winter ahead for sure.
484 did a little switching in the South yard, then brought a set of cars to the North yard. The tank car was put by the oil racks, and the stock cars next to the main. The caboose was brought back and put in the South yard.
After that move, 484 picked up the trainset from 215 and they added a caboose to the rear for tomorrow.
A deer wanders across the yard shortly before Goose #5 shows up from the wye. After stopping at the depot, probably seeing the dispatcher, they head on out - likely doing their check run up to Cumbres.
Train 215 returns, with 487 leading and a 7 car consist.
Goose 5 returns from their check run, as 487 waits between switching.
The majority of the switching was well back and more or less out of sight, the main items we can see --
After 215 returns from the wye, (and a deer ran across the North yard), they added a car to the main for tomorrow's train, then went over and picked up a caboose and box car from next to the roundhouse, brought those deep into the South yard. Came back and got the cars that were next to the main, and brought those deeper into the South yard. Spent about 30 minutes switching around down there, and brought out another set spotting it next to the main. This may all be in preparation for the Friends fall color charter that is running next week. If anyone really wants the full nearly hour of switching, let me know.
Looked like #7 was going to head to the wye to be turned, but instead just went down by #5 for a photo op, then back to the North yard. Goose 5 then headed out for it's days run, as 484 prepared for 216. A busy morning for the yard.
Train 216 departs, 8 car consist behind 484. Cams froze for several minutes just prior to departure, but I got most of it after several refreshes.
487 leads an 8 car consist as 216 heads out. Briefly stopping by the tipple to check/fix something with the cylinders - nice explanation above by Pete Dahlberg explaining what they likely were doing. Thanks Pete, always appreciate the information!
About 30 minutes after 216 left, 489 went to the water tank and got a load of coal. 463 was getting ashes cleaned as well. 489 then went and sat on the South yard lead until about 2pm when they went back to the shop. My GUESS, and only a guess - 487 had a further problem up the line and 489 was called to stand by just in case.
Train 216 departs - another double-header today, 489 is the road locomotive and 484 is the helper.
Helper loco 484 returned at about 1pm.
Train 215 returns right on time with 487 in the lead and a 9 car consist.
Switching after 215 was turned, includes adding one coach to tomorrow's train, as well as getting a caboose, reefer and box car (much more switching was done in the South yard). The reefer and box car were put on the track where the Friends work cars often go. The caboose was moved to the North yard.
The caboose was dropped on the main by the water tank, 487 then picked up the stock cars and with the caboose now attached, moved them back to their temporary storage spot.
Cams froze on me right at departure time, couldn't get the South cam back - so north only for 216, and no sound - but figured I'd put it here anyway.
About 1:15 487, helper from the morning 216 returned - followed soon after by the fire patrol speeder.
As 487 returned from the wye, #15 made an appearance from the back of the shop, and went to the front of the roundhouse, back to it's home for the season. 487 then backed to the cars next to the main, sat there for about 15 minutes, then went to the caboose at the back of the set of cars in the North yard and did the same. Guessing perhaps some kind of air testing? Though seemed too short for that compared to what we've seen before. Anyway, interesting and of course more questions than answers!!
Finally we have Goose #5 returning, followed shortly after by train 215 with 10 cars. They did not cut out any of the cars after turning the wye, so likely another double-header on Saturday, unless they cut them off in the morning.
Goose #5 leaves for Osier while 463 and 487 prepare for today's double-header.
Train 216 once again a double-header, this time with 11 cars in the consist behind 463 the road locomotive and 487 the helper. Wonderful day for a train ride in the fall colors for sure!
Goose #5 returned from Osier
Train 215 returns with 10 car consist behind 484. After turning the wye, they took off two cars so looks like an 8 car train on Sunday. No double-header, unless a last minute addition is needed. Note also in the North cam view smoke from the West side stall in the shop, believe 315 was hot in there.
I was recording quite late last night, past dark really just in case some movement late in the day, caught this herd of 8-10 deer wandering in the North yard then some went to the South side right under the tipple. I counted 8 for sure, but think there were more off the swamp side. Some came from the swamp, some from across the street. They were milling around for well over 1/2 hour, and likely still there when I couldn't see any longer. I tried to brighten this video some, it was darker than it looks here. This is when I wish we had the infra red cameras.
315 starts the day with hooking up to the stock cars and caboose that was in the North yard, then coming to the coal dock. Sanding, then they took one scoop of coal. Seemed to have some kind of issue perhaps, but they were kind of holding up the yard. Finally they moved back to the South yard to let Goose 5 come out and head up to Cumbres on the first trip of the day. Would love it if someone on the ground could fill us in on if there was any issues going on with 315. They did not come back during the day, and it's posted on NGDF that they went to Antonito.
315 Extra Departs Chama
Train 216 is next to depart, leaving what was a very busy yard kind of quiet.
Goose 5 returns from Cumbres after trip 1 of the day.
Goose 5 heads out on trip two to Cumbres, more of a sunset trip than anything, and as they wait at the North end of the yard 463 brings in train 215.
Goose 5 returns after dark, ending the days activity in Chama
Computer issues and crashes all day kept me limited in what I got, so here it is -- just 215 returning (no sound on it ) and Locomotive 315 bringing in the charter train. Will be interesting to see if 315 is done for the year now, or if we'll see her again.
The day starts with 463 pulling the extra freight to Cumbres for the Friends photo charter. 489 and 487 are preparing to take 216 up the hill.
Train 216 a double-header heads out right on time.
463 came back with the caboose, then headed out again with another string of cars for the photo freight. (No sound on this, as South cam was frozen at the time).
Train 215 returns with 484 in the lead. All four of the currently operating locomotives busy in Chama today.
After dark, 463 and caboose return, stopping at the tipple for a night photo shoot. Some flashes over by the depot as well for someone taking pictures there.
463 at the ash pit at night, with fire under it's belly (or at least the lighting makes it look that way!). By the way the background whistle you may hear on this video were not last night, it was 484 back from helper duty as I had the live video for today playing under what I was editing.
Train 216 today with another double-header. 463 is the road locomotive, 484 is the helper. It's almost getting routine for these double-headers (not that I'm complaining any!!!) Going to have to figure out how many we've had this year, much more than last I'm sure of that.
Helper 484 returns followed closely by the fire patrol speeder.
Train 215 returns with 487 bringing in a 9 car train.
489 Brings in a 23 car freight, used for the Friends Fall Photo train. Missing are the stock cars, so obviously at some point we'll see them come back -- unless there is another charter planned, or movie shoot or something we don't know about!! Thought I'd split this to two videos, one for each cam - so North cam then South cam views. 489 brought the entire train into the track next to the main, past the depot - no switching was done afterwards.
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
Here's 216 and 215 for the day. There was quite a bit of switching by 484 late, but mostly distant so I didn't put together video, but as usual if anyone wants it let me know!!!
Train 216, only an 8 car train today so no double-header. Have to wonder if we may have seen the last one of the year, as loads tend to drop off during the final couple weeks of the season.
As noted above this is a special charter that students from the prior schools have setup. Looks like a great time!!!
Train 215 Arrival back in Chama
A deer crosses the tracks just before 463 rounds the bend bringing back the student charter
216 departs with a 7 car consist and 484 in the lead. 487 with the student train waits for them to clear.
The student freight departs shortly after 216, cams froze a bit on this one so had to edit some out, but got most of it. Train stopped for a bit in the North yard, likely to give 216 a little time to get ahead.
489 Brings in train 215 right on time.
Student train returns right near dusk, looks like they picked up the rest of the stock cars on their way back as well.
A group of 4 deer meander across the tracks in the North yard, illuminated a bit by 489's headlight as they sit in the South yard.