Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

The long anticipated day has arrived. Locomotives are hot and waiting while the depot area waits for the visitors. Looking forward to a great 2015 Season. Good Luck and Thanks to EVERYONE who makes this RR a very special place. While I'm physically many miles away today, I'm there everyday in spirit. All have a fun day and safe travels after. Larry

Soaking in the Scene on the tipple ramp. 484 moves to the ashpit while a phone call and camera wave take place.

488 moves up and waits for 484 to finish and then move onto the ashpit. We may have a doubleheader on 216 to start the season! A problem developed with 488 and she is replaced by 489.

Meanwhile at the depot the passengers are beginning to assemble.

484 backs down the main preparing to head to the coal dock while 489 runs back up to the ashpit after returning to the Enginehouse for a few moments. A group of photographers are waiting near the dock, including one on car top. As 484 finishes at dock 489 moves to the water tank and then to coal dock.

It's getting busy at the depot with one hour to go before departure. A nice smoke plume adds excitement to the day.

Meanwhile in Antonito the CDOT cam has a hot loco at the water tank! Even have a visitor exploring at Cumbres too.

484 has pulled the train set into loading position as the crowd builds. 484 and 489 are on the point waiting to go. All appears set for the first 216 of 2015 as 488 runs up to the ashpit. 3 K-36s hot in same view.

Opening Day Ceremony at Depot underway as crew cleans fires. 216 will be a little late today. Riders begin to board after the ceremony concluded.

Noticed what seemed to be a Boy Scout Troop waking through the yard on the north cam. They are now assembled opposite the water tank.

It looks like the train got a send off from a snow shower.

Snow or small hail?!

Train 216 leaves at 10:09 with hail falling in the yard! Exciting start to 2015 Season!

What a fantastic way to start the season, double-header, and a great crowd. A little snow maybe even a bit of hail as a sendoff. Even saw Jason racing the kids back to cover!
I'll get video of all morning activities posted - might not be until this evening, been up about 29 hours with work and all. Thank you to Larry Gibson for the coverage this morning! The 2015 season has gotten off to a great start!

Larry Sullivan wrote:What a fantastic way to start the season, double-header, and a great crowd. A little snow maybe even a bit of hail as a sendoff. Even saw Jason racing the kids back to cover!
I'll get video of all morning activities posted - might not be until this evening, been up about 29 hours with work and all. Thank you to Larry Gibson for the coverage this morning! The 2015 season has gotten off to a great start!

You are welcome!! Fun to be in on this great day even if from afar! Second all you said too. Final pics of the departure on the new depot cams. Passing coverage on to you. Have a great day everyone!!

Three short videos of 216 Departing - rest will come later. Noted the viewer count on the S cam made it to 296 - close enough to call it 300 viewers. That is a record since those numbers have been on the cams. For those that haven't already, please consider joining the Friends -- there are many benefits, the cams are just one! See the tip jar on the cam page!
05-23-15 South Camera Departure

05-23-15 North Camera Departure

05-23-15 Depot Camera Departure

Larry Sullivan wrote:What a fantastic way to start the season, double-header, and a great crowd. A little snow maybe even a bit of hail as a sendoff. Even saw Jason racing the kids back to cover!

Nah, wasn't racing for cover. Joe K and I leap-frogged each other up the hill to get video. So, I was heading to the next spot.

Video will be posted in a few weeks.

Jason Rose wrote:

Larry Sullivan wrote:What a fantastic way to start the season, double-header, and a great crowd. A little snow maybe even a bit of hail as a sendoff. Even saw Jason racing the kids back to cover!

Nah, wasn't racing for cover. Joe K and I leap-frogged each other up the hill to get video. So, I was heading to the next spot.

Video will be posted in a few weeks.

I still like the racing for cover angle! I remember you doing the same the last time you were there, will look forward to whatever pics/video you guys get!

This one runs about 19 minutes -- 484 was first to the ash pit this morning, followed by 488. While there, the crew seemed to be looking at something under 488, perhaps some issue. 488 was backed to the shop, and 489 brought out to the ash pit. Then on to water and coaling for 484 and 489 in preparation for hooking up to the days train.

05-23-15 Morning Preparations

Something I noticed this morning, the new depot cam gives a nice view of the area east of Chama and you can see the smoke from the train a fair ways before it gets close. A question also, is that reefer closest to the depot cam being used as a gift shop or something like that.

Sharon Evans wrote:Something I noticed this morning, the new depot cam gives a nice view of the area east of Chama and you can see the smoke from the train a fair ways before it gets close. A question also, is that reefer closest to the depot cam being used as a gift shop or something like that.

When watching yesterday (before the cam went full live) they were taking supplies out of that reefer - I believe it's used for storage. The supplies being carried in the shot I'll put here come from that reefer. I could be wrong on that, and someone else on site can correct me.

463 leads 215 into the yard.

Lots of activity on the depot platform as the passengers de-train as shown on the new depot cam under a partly cloudy sky.

Yes it is used for storage for several different facets of the operations. It also comes complete with a junk yard dog. (for anyone with bad ideas)

Watching the return, I noticed that the older coach and caboose that went out on 216 this morning came back this afternoon on 215. Guess they turned at Osier.

Sharon Evans wrote:Watching the return, I noticed that the older coach and caboose that went out on 216 this morning came back this afternoon on 215. Guess they turned at Osier.

Or cut at Cumbres. I think they were to be used by Governor Martinez and party.

Train 215 Arrival - all 3 cameras.
North Camera

South Camera

Depot Camera

The reefer next to the depot is wired for electricity and plumbed for water. It has a refrigerator and sink, so is used for more than just storage, and consequently not likely to be moved soon. There are long term hopes of having car servicing facilities down at the tail of the wye, but that's some time off, of course.

Two more to finish out the day. First is the South and North cam after 463 came back from turning at the wye. 2nd video is the depot cam after turning and some switching.

Two final captures to wrap up opening day. After the wye move 463 switches the cars not needed for Sunday off the car set and then heads for servicing activities with a stop at the ashpit.

A glorious first day of 2015 season is nearly a wrap!

Stay tuned, much more to come.

Steve Forney wrote:The reefer next to the depot is wired for electricity and plumbed for water. It has a refrigerator and sink, so is used for more than just storage, and consequently not likely to be moved soon. There are long term hopes of having car servicing facilities down at the tail of the wye, but that's some time off, of course.

Thank you Steve (and Rich above) for the info - always happy to learn about how things operate.