Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

Here it is the last day of the 2015 season and 7 early birds are peeking in before daylight! Cameras have given many a great "ride" who live far away. Thanks again to the FOCTS for providing and maintaining the "eye on the yard" again this year. A special thanks to Larry Sullivan for his dedication and effort to do video recaps daily!!! Tremendous job Larry!! Thanks also to all who commented and added still pictures thereby giving a great permanent archive of the day to day operations of the railroad in 2015. After today, Jason, would you please start the countdown clock to 2016! Thank-you!

148 days ago the season opened with a little sleet and rain, it looks like the season will close today with a little rain in the area. Maybe it will clear up a little by train time! I'll have some additional words to post at the end of the day, enjoy this last (regular season) day watching our favorite railroad in action!

484 is first out on this soggy cloudy day.

Good morning Larry. 463 getting her fire cleaned. I would like to add my THANKS to everyone involved with the Yard Cams too. I'll be 'tuning' in periodically through the winter.

My thanks go out to all involved for a great operating season. Also a special thanks to those of you providing the screenshots and videos. There is still next weekend, 24/25 Photo specials to view, then the winterizing process.

484 is on the fuel dock with a Flying Rio Grande herald on the tender. Getting ready for the charter next week in advance. Meanwhile riders are starting to gather on the platform. Bundle up today!

Bill Grierson wrote:Good morning Larry. 463 getting her fire cleaned. I would like to add my THANKS to everyone involved with the Yard Cams too. I'll be 'tuning' in periodically through the winter.

It's been a great ride in 2015 Bill!! Glad I was able to journey out there to soak it up in person again. I'm in between trips again so web cam time helps!!:)

Anticipation an hour before train time. 3 plumes in one frame, a great day on the camera.

Not to be left out on the last day the CDOT cam captures today's 215 loco near the tank.

489 runs up to the ash pit for a better view from the camera. 3 hot locos in one frame.

489 is at the tank and a track speeder heads up the main towards the yard.

Time to Highball!! The last 216 for 2015 is now history. Fog holds the pass.
Handing off to Larry for videos! Check back later today for full coverage!

Larry G., what engine went out on 216 with the 484?

Sharon, 463 was the road engine on 216.

Thanks Bill

Right now there is sun shining in Chama but I swear I just heard thunder.

Sharon Evans wrote:Right now there is sun shining in Chama but I swear I just heard thunder.

I heard that as well - forecast is for a chance of t-storms today.

53 degrees and thunderstorms, what next.

Sharon Evans wrote:53 degrees and thunderstorms, what next.

I can remember a few times, when I lived up in New England, thunder during a snow storm. All too soon we'll see some of the white stuff falling in the yard!

The last 215 clears 17 at Cumbres with what looks like 2 cabeese and rider gon on rear. Hopefully in Chama by 4:30 pm local time.

Waiting for the last 215. One lonely person on the platform.

Well the RPO is open for inspection if anyone come by.

488 brings in the final 215 at 4:42. 2015 regular season in the books......to be continued next year!!

148 days ago the season opened, today we say goodbye to the 2015 regular season for the Cumbres&Toltec Scenic Railroad. Of the 296 scheduled trips of 216/215, only one trip was canceled due to a locomotive issue early in the season, and passengers were accommodated, as I remember, by busing to Cumbres – so they got their train ride. I have no true idea of how much work goes into maintaining and operating a steam locomotive fleet, but it has to take some serious hard work and dedication by some special people to have a record like that!

On top of the daily schedule were several dinner trains, charter trains, double headers, a visit (or 2) of the NARCOA speeders, two visits by the Galloping Goose #5, and I'm sure I forgot something. All of this was accomplished on time, and with no major issues.

Congratulations to all the workers that make this railroad perform as well as it does, particularly to the shop crews that keep these fantastic machines running, and when there is an issue, acting quickly to come up with a solution that gets the trains out pretty much on time, every time!! THANK YOU!!!

The Chama yard cams would not be here without the consent of the railroad, and the hard work from the Friends members who installed and now maintain them. Thank you very much to the C&TS for allowing us this unique view of daily operations. Particular thanks to Jason Rose and the camera team of John Engs, Steve Forney, and Joe Kanocz – for their outstanding work installing and maintaining the cameras. (And if I forgot anyone please let me know!) Now going on about 3 years of live coverage. Just prior to opening day this season, a network upgrade was done and I don’t think the cameras have gone down for any major length of time all summer! Amazing mix of history and technology at work!

Special thanks to Sharon Evans, Larry Gibson and Jeff Schrimmer for their contributions all season in posting and tracking the camera activities. While the day’s videos are good for those that can sit and take the time to watch, the live nearly as it happens capture posts allow for a quick look in and see what’s going on. Job well done folks!!!

The videos will continue during the off-season, tracking anything worth reporting on. This has been an amazing summer, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to watch and comment throughout the season. For those that watch and enjoy the daily coverage, if you haven’t done so already please consider a Friends membership. Also consider coming out to join a work session next year, and when you watch some of the rolling stock go by on camera, you can see some of your work in action!

The final 215 of the 2015 season arrives in Chama with 8 normal cars and 2 cabeese and rider gon on rear.

Also of note, as I am watching the detraining passengers, there are no train cleaners boarding to do there daily thing for tomorrow's 216. Just another indicator we are at the end of the year. Just after 5pm the consist heads to the wye and the cars will, I guess, be broken down this week with some staying in Chama like last year and others headed over to Antonito for work in the car shop.

Here's today's video recap for the final day of the 2015 season. Stay tuned for updates all winter long, as we look forward to May 28, 2016 and the opening of the new season!

10-18-15 Two locomotives prepare for train 216


10-18-15 Train 216 Departure -- posting South, North and Dual cam views for today!

10-18-15 Train 215 arrives behind 488 -- while I don't know what locomotives will get used on the charter, this could be the last time we see 488 until after her 1472 day inspection is complete.

Sharon Evans wrote:Also of note, as I am watching the detraining passengers, there are no train cleaners boarding to do there daily thing for tomorrow's 216. Just another indicator we are at the end of the year.

We may see a very quiet yard tomorrow, as I remember from the last couple of years the Monday after season seemed to be an off day for everyone. The charter may change that this year, we'll have to just watch and see.

Season opening on 5/28, this seems really late.

Coach set heads for wye at 5:02. It will be interesting to see how and when the cars are switched out. a few minutes later back from the wye.

488 did not get relettered so that is a good indication it will probably be the first locomotive to have its tender removed and placed into the left stall for the mandated inspection.

Sharon Evans wrote:Season opening on 5/28, this seems really late.

I think I am correct on that date - it's usually Memorial Day wknd the railroad opens -- if I am wrong someone can correct me and I'll change it.

Larry Sullivan wrote:

Sharon Evans wrote:Season opening on 5/28, this seems really late.

I think I am correct on that date - it's usually Memorial Day wknd the railroad opens -- if I am wrong someone can correct me and I'll change it.

Memorial Day weekend has been traditional opener. Larry

488, it's final duties done cuts off and heads for ash pit as many continue to watch the last moves of the regular season. It's hard letting go! :):)

They are sanding 488, so perhaps she's not done for the year yet.

Larry Sullivan wrote:They are sanding 488, so perhaps she's not done for the year yet.

bandicam 2015-10-18 19-47-39-168.jpg

I think of the 3 on this side 2 have the Flying Rio Grande on their tenders for the ChamaSteam Charter. If 488 gets the treatment we will know for sure.

Sharon Evans wrote:488 did not get relettered so that is a good indication it will probably be the first locomotive to have its tender removed and placed into the left stall for the mandated inspection.

I believe 488 is getting a 1472 this winter.

Larry Sullivan wrote:148 days ago the season opened, today we say goodbye to the 2015 regular season for the Cumbres&Toltec Scenic Railroad. Of the 296 scheduled trips of 216/215, only one trip was canceled due to a locomotive issue early in the season, and passengers were accommodated, as I remember, by busing to Cumbres – so they got their train ride. I have no true idea of how much work goes into maintaining and operating a steam locomotive fleet, but it has to take some serious hard work and dedication by some special people to have a record like that!

On top of the daily schedule were several dinner trains, charter trains, double headers, a visit (or 2) of the NARCOA speeders, two visits by the Galloping Goose #5, and I'm sure I forgot something. All of this was accomplished on time, and with no major issues.

Congratulations to all the workers that make this railroad perform as well as it does, particularly to the shop crews that keep these fantastic machines running, and when there is an issue, acting quickly to come up with a solution that gets the trains out pretty much on time, every time!! THANK YOU!!!

Well said, Larry. Thank YOU for bringing a new level of interest to this forum.

Larry Gibson wrote:

Larry Sullivan wrote:

Sharon Evans wrote:Season opening on 5/28, this seems really late.

I think I am correct on that date - it's usually Memorial Day wknd the railroad opens -- if I am wrong someone can correct me and I'll change it.

Memorial Day weekend has been traditional opener. Larry

Agreed.