Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

Looks like a late engine swap today as 489 was pulled off the train at about 9:45am and 484 is now preparing for departure.

Almost looks like we both did our grabs at the same time.

They are wasting no time coaling the 484. That's the fastest I have seen the loader run in a while.

They got her ready awfully fast.

Would be interesting to see exactly why that was done.

I wonder what caused the switch. 489 went back to the enginehouse before the 216 departed, so seems like it was not a mechanical problem.

Jeff

31 minutes from time of first motion of 484 to 216 departure - kudos to the crews for some fine work!
We likely will never know what the issue was, perhaps it is just something they saw going on that didn't prevent the loco from moving, or actually broken at the time, but they felt with a backup hot and ready it's prudent to switch in the yard before something happened going uphill. Those with more knowledge of the workings of these locomotives may have better ideas.

That crew of the C&TS is "well oiled" in the highest manner and they know what they are doing and move when necessary.

Yes. Those people are good. I'm always impressed , and one of these years I will get out there to tell them in person.

I'm still curious about the switch this morning. As Larry S. pointed out, we may never know. When I view the cams, I sometimes imagine this must be a little like observing from a U-2 and trying to figure out what is going on down there (but way less dangerous).

489 stayed hot all day, and I couldn't see people working on her, but of course, they could have been working on something at the rear of the tender, etc....

I slept late and missed the part before 489 was pulled off. Sometimes there are clues in where those awesome people are gathering before doing something like that quick change.

Jeff

Hmmmmmmmm............

Looks like the RPO car is heading for a trip to the wye to be turned with the 215 cars.

So...they didn't place her there just so we could gaze at her. It was smart placement in order to easily add her to tomorrow's train.

Any possibility that the last minute locomotive switch this morning had anything to do with the extra weight on tomorrow's train?

Jeff

Noticed while the RPO car was being switched lots of freight on depot platform. Will there be LCL move coming?

Ok....now I am totally confused. This is fun.

Jeff

Classic Cam Capture!!! Brakeman on the roof turning the brake wheel!!!

Looks like the RPO is going to be moving into the platform track for awhile .

After a confab and re-spotting the brakes on the RPO are set.

Videos for today - I am only posting train 216 and 215 for now. I have to get to editing all the rest of the moves of the afternoon, but work beckons soon - I'll get to that and will post all by the end of the weekend, thanks for the patience, it was a busy day on the railroad!
07-17-15 Train 216 Departure



07-17-15 Train 215 Return

Here is how the cars are now arranged at the station. One of the reefers was moved and is the other side of the box car that was over past the station. The RPO and other reefer are at the platform. This is going to block the view of the station cam for departure. Maybe they are going to use the inside of the RPO for storage?

Noted this post on the NGDF board tonight regarding the 489 issue.

An air compressor issue was discovered. When in doubt the safe course must be taken. This is why we always try to have an extra steam locomotive under steam as backup. As soon as the compressor issue is corrected the 489 will be back in service.

John Bush

Thanks for passing on the information, Larry.

It will be nice when 487 is running again. That will give them more options.

Jeff

I finally had some time to finish up editing, so here are the videos of the RPO move. In two parts, as I can't go over 20 minutes long on any one video on my site, and total time is just over that. RPO looks great at the depot loading dock - just where it belongs!


07-17-15 RPO 054 move to depot loading dock - parts 1 and 2

Just a simple question. Whats the NGDF board and is it open or is it a private board ?

Paul Nielson wrote:Just a simple question. Whats the NGDF board and is it open or is it a private board ?

Paul it's the Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum - lots of great info on there. It is open, you have to register in order to post. http://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/list.php?1

I think you'll find a wealth of good stuff on there!

The NGDF has a broad focus; all narrow gauge. Whereas this forum is centered on the Friends and the C&T (D&RGW).