Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

I just watched 487 coal up and have been noticing this weekend that each locomotive is maybe a 'scoop' or two short of what has been a normal load of coal. I was wondering if anyone else has noticed. Obviously you don't need a full tender to get over the road.

Interesting observation since we cannot see the coal pile its hard to know if they are trying to stretch out what they have so will not need extra delivery. Also today's 216 is normal 7 cars. Would think after yesterdays 11 car 216 and 10 car 215 would be extra on today.

Trying to stretch this year's coal supply is the only reason I could think of too.

216 gets off with just 3 weeks to go until the last train.

Bill,

I had the same thought this morning when the train headed out.

Jeff

484 out doing some switching now.

Headed out of the yard, to back to the two flat cars.

Also three passenger coaches are on the main by the depot.

Getting ready for the Friends to do their thing starting tomorrow. Also find it interesting that they are doing all this with only 30 minutes left before 215 arrives.

Sharon Evans wrote:Getting ready for the Friends to do their thing starting tomorrow. Also find it interesting that they are doing all this with only 30 minutes left before 215 arrives.

I just had that same thought, especially with the main blocked. They are moving quite slowly as well with this last push back. They may know that 215 is late as well, but we should see them clear the main shortly.

The north yard is almost empty with just the derrick, OM and several gons.

ADD: at just before 1600 MDT they are moving those 3 coaches out of the way.

Sharon Evans wrote:The north yard is almost empty with just the derrick, OM and several gons.

ADD: at just before 1600 MDT they are moving those 3 coaches out of the way.

Obviously great communication as 215 arrived about 5 minutes after they moved the coaches.

488 have 215 at the Chama depot. I noticed how they went up the back way to get to the house with 484.

Here's today's video review. More perfect weather in store for the riders of the railroad.
09-27-15 Train 216 Departs on time with 487 leading. 487 was busy this weekend with the helper duty and dinner train yesterday, and today's 216.

Around 2:30 #484 started doing some switching in the yard.

09-27-15 First order of business to get the two flat cars from down near the oil dock, and spot them on the run around track.


09-27-15 Next they went to the South yard and brought the 3 passenger coaches to in front of the depot. A hose was hooked up to the 2nd car, so this must have been to service after yesterdays trips.


09-27-15 Next they picked up a string of cars with 6 box cars, the 4 tank cars and 2 open gondolas. This was brought to the North yard, and one open gondola was placed in front of the two MOW cars by the oil dock.


09-27-15 The next moves sees the cars brought back to the South yard, stopping to get the two flat cars then heading to spot the whole thing back in the South yard.


09-27-15 The final move was to get the three passenger coaches and re-spot them again down in the South yard, after they were serviced.


09-27-15 About 5 minutes after clearing the main, 488 brought in 215 to end the day.