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Looks like a long train set waiting as the "dance" begins for a pair of locomotives preparing for the day. 484 is leading the way with 463 following.

With 463 at the coal dock, 484 has pulled ahead by the tipple, so maybe 463 is going to be the road engine today. According to the weather in Chama its a brisk 37 degrees.

The smoke coming off the 484 is making it hard to see, but 463 just went over into south yard. He is pulling out another coach so a 12 car train today. Also what I think was 489 came out for a drink and I noticed its tender now has Rio Grande in the speed lettering on the tender. Guess getting ready for the freight special on the 24th. When I looked at yesterdays report it looks like it was on there then, so not sure when it was relettered. Just looked at shots taken on 10/8 and 489 still had the Toltec speed lettering then.

463 has cut off the 216 and is heading toward the house, 488 has come out. Will see what is going to happen. Looks like they have decided to put 484 on as road engine. I also noticed it too has the Rio Grande lettering on the tender.

Looks like they are going to bring in 488 to replace 463. That whistle sounds a bit under the weather again on 463.

Things have really gotten interesting. The 488 is going to be the helper and with the 216 already in loading position, so they are backing up the train to allow 488 to get over to the coal dock. Don't know if they found problems with the 463 or decided that with 12 cars they needed 2 K36's to get up the hill.

I wasn't recording the depot cam, but a big old what looked like a buck deer just ran near the RPO and then out to the parking lot. Wish I had caught a capture, but amazing they will be that close to a train load of people.

Got him going by the sand pile. RE cropped the shot and did a little more Light Room work.

Sharon Evans wrote:Got him going by the sand pile.

Nice capture! I guess that will teach me to make sure I record not just watch! I am recording the tipple cams, was just watching the depot on the laptop.

Don't know what is happening but a lot of attention is being paid to the 488.

Sharon Evans wrote:Don't know what is happening but a lot of attention is being paid to the 488.

I was wondering if something with the air again, but whatever it was they got it fixed. 12 car train longest of the season for 216, longest since I started watching the cams - I think.

Indeed - 488 was pretty much tied on in time for an on-time departure. Then another 25 minutes goes by...

Here is the departure.

Have you thought about this day's 216, it had more coaches on it than a normal 216 has cars.

For those that missed it live I'll put the video up here. Not quite the longest train I've seen since starting to record the cams. 10-19-13 had 14 cars (2nd to last day of the season for 2013) - though 3 were empty flats. So technically this is the 2nd longest train for 216 I've seen since recordings started. Interesting to go back sometimes.

Sharon Evans wrote:Have you thought about this day's 216, it had more coaches on it than a normal 216 has cars.

Interesting thought, and no it hadn't occurred to me - but you are of course quite correct.

Question, is the car right behind the engines another handicapped car or snack bar?

Sharon Evans wrote:Question, is the car right behind the engines another handicapped car or snack bar?

The RR has a coach that occasionally rides behind the locomotive with a handicap lift capability that is nonconcession.

After coming back from Cumbres and getting service, 488 has come out of the house and is now in front of the roundhouse.

Larry Gibson wrote:

Sharon Evans wrote:Question, is the car right behind the engines another handicapped car or snack bar?

The RR has a coach that occasionally rides behind the locomotive with a handicap lift capability that is nonconcession.

Thanks Larry S. I saw that coach in Antonito when I rode 216 in August.

OK, I stepped away for a few to get supper started, where have 489 and 463 gone. I see smoke coming from the right house door.

Late day today. Looks like 463 may have had some work done, they have run her in and out a few times.

483 just rolled in.

Correction that was 487.

A caboose was added to the 11 car consist that 215 brought in, and now sits on the main so it would appear another doubleheader tomorrow, with 11 cars plus the caboose.

Video review in work, will be up soon.

Here's today's video review. Another busy day on the railroad.
10-10-15 - As noted above 463 was the road locomotive, and 484 the helper for 216. However about 20 minutes prior to departure 484 moved off the train and waited while 463 was taken off and brought to the shop. 484 was now the road locomotive, and 488 would be the helper. As 488 went to the ash pit and for water, then waited as 484 backed the now mostly boarded train up so 488 could get to the coal dock. In between the front end loader had to maneuver it's way over to the coal dock. Looked like things were pretty much ready to go on time, but then lots of activity around 488 made the departure to be about 25 minutes late. All in all another great job by the Chama crews to get the train out nearly on time.

Oh and did I mention we had a 12 car train today -- longest of the season for a daily train. First two videos are the above mentioned movements to change locomotives.

10-10-15 Deer Runs through yard - After the locomotive switchover and while waiting for 216 to depart, a deer made a dash from beside the wood shop up to the tipple track then over to the swamp. What was interesting was I was watching on my laptop the depot cam, not recording, and this same deer ran up to the RPO and then into the parking lot. Just checking out the scene with all the people around!


10-10-15 Train 216 Departs - I know I put the dual cam view above, but will add in the single cam views today as well.

10-10-15 Train 215 arrived nearly an hour late - not surprising given the late departure of 216 and the full trains, likely took some extra time for lunch at Osier.

10-10-15 - After 215 was turned, 487 went over to grab the caboose next to the roundhouse, placed that in the South yard then took the 11 cars from 215 and hooked up the caboose to the rear. Looks like we'll 12 an 11 car plus caboose for 216 tomorrow. Interesting sounds as 487 worked, note what appears to be the air dumping as 487 pulled the cars away from the depot. Train stops suddenly before the last car gets past the switch. Not a major issue, but just interesting to watch it all play out.

Thanks for the video and screenies, Larry. I had to leave at 5:30 MDT so missed the last of the action. I counted a total of 11 coaches and 2 cabooses. I'll try to catch the departure in the AM. Thanks again for the excellent coverage.

This would equal the 13 car train that came in several weeks ago, 11 car 215 with open gon and caboose on the back.

Phil Evans wrote:Thanks for the video and screenies, Larry. I had to leave at 5:30 MDT so missed the last of the action. I counted a total of 11 coaches and 2 cabooses. I'll try to catch the departure in the AM. Thanks again for the excellent coverage.

Thanks Phil - and you of course were correct on the 2 cabooses as we saw this morning, I didn't pay close enough attention yesterday.

Hello all, I don't post much, but enjoy everyone's post and pictures. But Saturday 10-10-2013 I was in Chama and road 216/215 from Chama to Osier and back to Chama. I can help fill in the blanks to why we (215) were so late getting back in.

First off in Chama, everyone knows we were late getting out account adding one more coach to make a 12 car train. We also had to wait somewhere in there to load up one or two wheel chair passengers. That was about when I boarded the rear of the train and we just waited. Now I know that the reason we backed up and waited was to allow 488 to get to the coal dock to load and get ready.

After departing Chama we has our first planned delay of splitting the locomotives at Lobato Trestle as they always do when they run double headers.

Next stop was at about Coxo, just before making the final ascent up to windy point. We had to stop and let the locomotives build steam.

At Cumbres, we had to let the helper take on water, and then the road engine take on water.

We learned that we would be arrive Osier about 1:00pm, I believe this is at least 30 minutes later than normal. They were holding 216 out to allow 215 to arrive first. After unloading our train they would then have to pass two coaches over to 216 to accommodate all the coach passengers doing the Chama/Osier/Chama leg. They did this by taking the head three cars off 216 and pulling into the clear on the Loop track at Osier. Then 215 pulled up and grabbed two of the coaches and added them to their trains. Our locomotive then returned with the one coach. Our guide believed that all the available passenger cars the railroad had were in use in today's (Saturday's) operations and this was the only way they accommodate the 500+ passengers. This extra switching at Osier definitely contributed to our lateness arriving Chama. Also the loading and unloading of the wheel chairs may have contributed. But all the passengers I visited with as well as myself believed we were just getting an extra hour of enjoyment. It was a great ride and will be going back again next season.

Again thanks for all for post, I will try to post few pictures or videos when I can find the time.

John Rinehart

John thank you very much for that narrative!!! Look forward to any pictures you care to share!

Larry Sullivan wrote:John thank you very much for that narrative!!! Look forward to any pictures you care to share!

Agreed! Thanks, John.

Thanks John the on scene reporter makes it clear.

Sharon, I also asked about Roger!! I understand he has a new toy and had been filming with it and maybe in the near future we will be blessed with some footage. I think I saw it flying Saturday evening while they were switching the Cabooses, but I never could find Roger, and then I had to leave.

John Rinehart wrote:Sharon, I also asked about Roger!! I understand he has a new toy and had been filming with it and maybe in the near future we will be blessed with some footage. I think I saw it flying Saturday evening while they were switching the Cabooses, but I never could find Roger, and then I had to leave.

John, Roger is back. Take a look here: viewforum.php?f=116

Thanks Jason and Roger, We did see the drone flying during our trip, It is nice to see our train from that perspective.