Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

484 quietly steams away in the early morning, maybe today we'll see them fire up 463 to get ready for a trip to Antonito tomorrow (that's what I heard last week, unconfirmed). The morning light shows a few more features on the box car the Friends are working on too.

I seem to remember this was the kitchen car. There does seem to be a door in the end.

Sharon Evans wrote:I seem to remember this was the kitchen car. There does seem to be a door in the end.

Thanks Sharon, I stand corrected -- too long a night at work, brain is fried this morning!!

As of 8:00 AM, a second locomotive (487 or 489) has been pulled out front and is currently being fired up. No signs of activity around 463 yet.

And now we have two! Backhoe pulled her out a few minutes ago and there was smoke shortly thereafter.

Part of the action today was moving the passenger cars from winter parking onto the main and make up the 216 for Saturday. Also at this moment, both 484 and 487 are moving about the yard and you can hear both of them whistling. Lovely sound to have after the winter quiet.

484 is now at the ash pit so its day must be over.

Quite a bit of editing I have to do for a day's highlight package -- and that is coming, but for now as a teaser - the first move of the passenger coaches that have been stored all winter. #484 working a bit hard as they slowly move the string of cars. I'll have more up in a little while!!

Maybe grass on the rail caused all that slipping.

Close-up capture of the car the Friends have been working on.

Here's today's video reviews -

#487 and #484 both active this morning. #484 does some yard switching, #487 heads East out of the yard after taking on a load of coal.


#484 after spotting coaches on the main for Saturday, continues some switching of the storage cars, and Friends kitchen car onto the depot track.


After #487 returned, #489 was pulled from the East bay of the shop and put into the West bay. Not on video, but #484 was doing some additional switching in the South yard before ending her day.

The skeleton frame of a box car body is being refurbished by Don Bayer and his team this week. There are only 4 of them, so work will progress slowly. When they are finished it will be used as a supply annex for the cook car the Friends use during work sessions. Terry Ryder is there in Chama this week working on the water service car. Their whereabouts is unknown.

Ed Lowrance was in Chama today getting pictures, so hopefully they will be posted soon, so watch for them.

John Cole wrote:The skeleton frame of a box car body is being refurbished by Don Bayer and his team this week. There are only 4 of them, so work will progress slowly. When they are finished it will be used as a supply annex for the cook car the Friends use during work sessions. Terry Ryder is there in Chama this week working on the water service car. Their whereabouts is unknown.

Ed Lowrance was in Chama today getting pictures, so hopefully they will be posted soon, so watch for them.

Thanks for the info John, much appreciated to know what's happening. We will look forward to Ed's pictures!