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A beautiful sunrise on this Sunday morning for what bodes as the 3rd DH in a row for 216. In the operational days it was the fall stock rush now it's the fall color rush!!! "There is GOLD on yonder hills!!"

488 is to the ash pit first and I hear the whistle of 463 which has moved in behind 488 waiting for its turn at the pit. They must feel that whatever was wrong yesterday is corrected. Looks like 463 as helper. One thing, 463 was ready to go yesterday so the tender is full of coal, no trip to the coal dock for it today.

The cabeese have been chartered by a group. As soon as the train pulled into loading position, several men started to load coolers onto the last on. Also we have the nice shorty caboose between the parlor and last car. How much would it cost to charter a caboose? There ever seems to be a car host for the cabeese.

How much better can it get? At least what we can see on the yard cams. There are some outstanding photos from the freight steam charters on the Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum. ngdiscussion.net.

Well moved as far as the tipple and now stopped.

I hope that it is not a problem with the 463. 463 did signal to start and then stop before they got moving the first time.

The departure of this 13 car 216.

Time for a nice stroll after the activity of the departure.

463 is seen passing the depot after spinning the wye, then heading to the house.

Just peeking in and caught 463 out at ash pit.

I just realized that today's 216 was the last one I see this year. I have to do things Monday and Tuesday morning, so will catch 215, then Wednesday I leave for several days so probably won't see anything until the last 215 next Sunday. Hard to believe that the season is almost over and other than the special freight and hospital trains this is it. I don't discount Larry S's videos but it, to me, is not the same as watching it live.

After getting its fire cleaned, 463 went over to the left side of the house and shoved either 487 or 489 into the building (I don't remember which it was). The 463 is now in the right stall maybe headed to the back. He actually shoved an engine out of the right stall to the back. Also sounds like they did something to the whistle of 463.

Sharon Evans wrote:I just realized that today's 216 was the last one I see this year. I have to do things Monday and Tuesday morning, so will catch 215, then Wednesday I leave for several days so probably won't see anything until the last 215 next Sunday. Hard to believe that the season is almost over and other than the special freight and hospital trains this is it. I don't discount Larry S's videos but it, to me, is not the same as watching it live.

Withdrawal will set in for everyone soon. Perhaps this will ease it for you, Sharon! The pending Chama Bridge repairs means that #15 will emerge sooner than later for the heavy lifting as fires will probably
be dropped earlier than in past years. Still will be things to observe during the down season. Let's hope a couple of holiday trains run during December.

Sharon Evans wrote:I just realized that today's 216 was the last one I see this year. I have to do things Monday and Tuesday morning, so will catch 215, then Wednesday I leave for several days so probably won't see anything until the last 215 next Sunday. Hard to believe that the season is almost over and other than the special freight and hospital trains this is it. I don't discount Larry S's videos but it, to me, is not the same as watching it live.

Sharon I think we all prefer to see it live, hopefully the videos at least make it a bit easier for those that can't always be watching at the time. Watching live you can sometimes see things going on that I don't capture in the recordings as well, given I try to limit the time somewhat on the videos. It is hard to believe we only have a week left in the season, but we get to that every year and start counting down to the next season.

After next Sunday we should have a week or so of some preparations for the charter, after the charter train there should be a hospital train that leaves, then things will quiet down for the winter. I imagine #15 may make an appearance, 488 will be inside for her 1472 inspections, and generally the crew usually goes to a 4 day work week Mon - Thursday. A long winter lies ahead, but we will look forward to 2016, but for now - we'll enjoy the final week of cam watching this season!

215 is at Cumbres at 1534 so should be into Chama around 1640 MDT.

I am already doing planning for my trip out to Chama next summer for a work session and to fan. The friends office has sent me the dates now I just wait until the 2016 application is posted so I can submit it.

Sharon Evans wrote:215 is at Cumbres at 1534 so should be into Chama around 1640 MDT.

Great prediction! Train entered the yard at 1638 and stopped at the depot at 1640 -- well done!!!!!

The arrival of a 9 car 215 behind 484.

Here's today's run of videos -
10-11-15 Early morning deer family makes a visit. Bolting into the yard next to the wood shop, and running to the tipple, then taking their time sauntering through the North yard. The deer left standing at the end of the video stayed there perfectly still for an additional couple minutes.


10-11-15 Train 216 with 11 cars and two cabooses on the end - train stops at the tipple, then starts up again. A moment of worry that 463 had another issue, but all seemed well.

10-11-15 After 216 left another deer wandered through the North yard.


10-11-15 463 returns after helper duties


10-11-15 Train 215 returns with a more normal 9 cars. Will be interesting to see if we end up with any doubleheaders on the final weekend next week. Let's hope so!!!!