10/22/17 Sunday Final day 2017 season

[Sharon Evans]

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:

The 489 has now operated on trains for 17 days without a break.

10-22-17 The little engine that can has come out again to be on today's train - 489.jpg (189.6 KiB) Viewed 5560 times

10-22-17 The 489 comes over the pit.jpg (184.41 KiB) Viewed 5560 times

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

The 489 is at the tank getting water for its run as the 488 now comes out

10-22-17 The 488 is over the pit for its morning cleaning.jpg (149.81 KiB) Viewed 5555 times

10-22-17 The 489 backs toward the coal dock lead.jpg (166.17 KiB) Viewed 5554 times

10-22-17 The 489 is having coal added to its bunker as 488 is now at the tank.jpg (158.6 KiB) Viewed 5554 times

There were 2 buses this morning for Antonito

10-22-17 The last bus to Antonito for train 215 leaves Chama.jpg (165.57 KiB) Viewed 5554 times

Just like yesterday, it is the road crew running it not hostlers

10-22-17 The 488 backs toward the coal dock lead.jpg (163.44 KiB) Viewed 5552 times

All that rising steam is from the a crew member washing down the locomotive with the hot water hose

10-22-17 The 488 has coal added to its bunker.jpg (160.32 KiB) Viewed 5551 times

10-22-17 The 489 has now pulled the 10 car train 216 into loading position.jpg (195.93 KiB) Viewed 5542 times

[Sharon Evans]

10-22-17 The 488 has now backed onto the train.jpg (190.64 KiB) Viewed 5542 times

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

10-22-17 The 488 and 489 are working to get the 10 car train moving.jpg (196.49 KiB) Viewed 5512 times

10-22-17 The 488 and 489 are coming by the wood shop.jpg (195.09 KiB) Viewed 5512 times

The 488 is blowing for the running brake test as the train passes the tipple

10-22-17 The parlor New Mexico is by the tipple with the conductor and a passenger on the platform.jpg (181.76 KiB) Viewed 5512 times

10-22-17 The locomotives are exiting the yard as the parlor passes the speeder sheds.jpg (174.91 KiB) Viewed 5512 times

10-22-17 The locomotives are starting into the curve as the parlor is close to the end of north yard.jpg (179.82 KiB) Viewed 5512 times

10-22-17 The last cars of the last train 216 for 2017 are rounding the curve.jpg (179.58 KiB) Viewed 5512 times

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.

[Ryan Morris]

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

[Sharon Evans]

10-22-17 The 15 is starting up.jpg (207.54 KiB) Viewed 5481 times

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

10-22-17 The 488 comes back into Chama after helping the 216 up the hill.jpg (197.33 KiB) Viewed 5475 times

10-22-17 Helper duty over, 488 is coming back from the wye.jpg (141.3 KiB) Viewed 5477 times

10-22-17 and headed to the house for post run service.jpg (153.91 KiB) Viewed 5477 times

15 seems shut down again so test was in order,

[Sharon Evans]

10-22-17 The last 215 is stopped at Cumbres looks like 9 cars.jpg (196.22 KiB) Viewed 5460 times

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

10-22-17 The 463 brings the last 10 car train 215 into Chama.jpg (169.44 KiB) Viewed 5426 times

10-22-17 The 463 comes by the speeder sheds.jpg (169.51 KiB) Viewed 5426 times

10-22-17 The 463 is up to the tipple.jpg (166.15 KiB) Viewed 5426 times

10-22-17 The parlor Colorado is on the markers of this last 215.jpg (206.33 KiB) Viewed 5426 times

10-22-17 The train is now stopped and people are getting off.jpg (165.41 KiB) Viewed 5426 times

10-22-17 More passengers are milling about now.jpg (166.25 KiB) Viewed 5422 times

10-22-17 Off to the wye for one last time.jpg (166.66 KiB) Viewed 5422 times

[Frank Smith]

It is not my job.PNG (33.06 KiB) Viewed 5450 times

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.

[Sharon Evans]

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.

[Bill Grierson]

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

[Sharon Evans]

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.

[Sharon Evans]

FINI

The 2017 season of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Is over

Come back in 216 days when the 2018 season will begin on 26 May 2018

[Ryan Morris]

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

[Larry Gibson]

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

[Sharon Evans]

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

[Rick Calkins]

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