Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

At about 8:00 in the yard today finds several machines preparing for a day out on the C&TS. Appears the weather will be more inviting for the speed cars than last evening. A little bit later 484 heads for the coal dock as the speeder owners meet in the distance.

The CDOT Antonito cam shows a locomotive at the water tank.

For some reason they did not pull the train forward for loading today.

Sharon Evans wrote:For some reason they did not pull the train forward for loading today.

Unfortunately I was away all morning at work, and not recording things, but it appeared that they didn't actually hook up to the passenger cars until about 15 minutes prior to departure. Also I think they were loading sand on just before departure (I believe that's what was on the white covered pallet they lifted near the locomotive). Must have had some issue, but unfortunately I can't clarify what it was today.
Here's today's train 216 departure.

I also noticed 484 went straight from the engine house to the water tank, without cleaning the fire. A bit unusual.

I was away for the departure but received this still from another member showing 484 laying on the whistle just after clearing the tipple today. A nice capture, thanks for sending and OKing its use here.

06-06-15 Train 215 arrives in a thunderstorm. I let the video run a bit early on this one, capturing the storm sounds as well as the very clear crossing whistle sounds before getting to the yard. Train arrives right at the start of the heavy rain, also the cams drop out for 30 seconds or so. Actual train arrives about 3:30 into the video.

Pete Stagg wrote:I also noticed 484 went straight from the engine house to the water tank, without cleaning the fire. A bit unusual.

That's quite interesting to note, as yesterday after returning they did not stop at the ash pit on the way to the engine house. Late in the evening yesterday I noted 489 was brought up to the pit, I never saw 484 get the ashes cleaned.

There was a bit of locomotive shuffle today. After 488 stopped at the ash pit, they moved a cold 489 from the left side shop track to in front of the roundhouse. Then went in and got 463 (I think) and spotted 463 on the left shop track.

Thanks Larry for a video that not only captures the train but the elements today too. Hopefully the riders had better weather earlier on their trip.

It's unusual the 489 would end up cold here during operational season. Something to watch.

Around 7:00 tonight 488 brings a cold 463 to the ashpit.

#488 emerged again, hooked up to #463 and then went over and hooked onto #489. #463 and #489 now pushed into engine house, with 489 out the back door a ways.

A few minutes after 7:00 a rather rare scene. 488 and the cold 463 pick up cold 489 to form a yard triple header. 488 then moves both 463 and 489 into the shop.

Around 8:00 488 pulled the cold 463 to the water tank filling its tender. Then on the way back to the shop 488 stops at the ashpit. Now 463 is in front of stall 4 and 488 in front of 3.

We may see 463 hot again very soon. Wonder if 489 is having some issues that require shopping during the season?

Sharon Evans wrote:We may see 463 hot again very soon. Wonder if 489 is having some issues that require shopping during the season?

"Tweaking" the engines during the operating season is quasi normal. Like a spouse they need constant attention. :)
Seriously, it is the nature of these engines to require on going maintenance.