Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

Moved 489 from the East side to the West side of the shop track - early start today before 6AM

I guess that's all they were doing, now back to all quiet.

487 now out and went right by the ash pit to the water tank.

Pausing for water, and stopping outside the yard for a blowdown, 487 now headed light out of the yard again at 6:22AM local time.

Here we go again!!!!!!

0820 local: See no evidence that 487 has returned from its jaunt this am.

Morning preparations:

489 seems to have gotten the call so whatever caused it to come off the train earlier in the week is fixed, we hope.

Departure of train 216:



If you look past parlor New Mexico, you can see one of the gons which were placed on that yard track yesterday afternoon by 484 in its switching after it returned with 215.



489 comes out from behind the coaling tower with nice smoke and shadow of it.

#487 had been sitting in the blind spot between the cameras for 15 - 20 minutes. #484 swapped leads, speeder drew back to let #487 into the west lead.

Is it just my computers or is the sound a lot lower? I can barely hear anything except when the engine is right at the coaling chute. All my volume controls are at the maximum setting.

Bill Hoss wrote:Is it just my computers or is the sound a lot lower? I can barely hear anything except when the engine is right at the coaling chute. All my volume controls are at the maximum setting.

Bill for me it sounds normal as it always does. There are times it seems you don't hear sounds from further away, not sure why that is -- though on most of my recordings the sound pics up better than what I actually hear live. Will keep an eye on it, and see if I notice anything wrong.

Fine on my setup. In fact that cooling fan at the depot cam near about blows my ears off when it comes on.

Sharon Evans wrote:Fine on my setup. In fact that cooling fan at the depot cam near about blows my ears off when it comes on.

Hopefully we can get that fixed one day, I keep that one muted most of the time.

My problem with muting that one is if I go out and come back in all the feeds are now muted. I usually just have that one off and turn it on when I need that cam.

Larry, look at the north cam, I keep seeing what looks like bees flying around it. Do we have a hive up there?

Sharon Evans wrote:Larry, look at the north cam, I keep seeing what looks like bees flying around it. Do we have a hive up there?

Bees have been up there before, and yes I saw some quite clearly earlier today. Anyone goes up there this summer to clean lenses or whatever needs to bring some bee spray! Didn't really think these worth posting earlier but since you asked -- a couple captures of the bees in good lighting from this morning. First is at the bottom of the red storage shed, 2nd I circled the bee. But yes they were quite a few this morning.

Well, they have sent 487 out for another jaunt on the main. Don't know what they are trying to correct but these runs have been a daily occurrence for the last week.



484 has made the move from west house lead to east lead in front of 487. This is interesting since usually the locomotive that is in front on the east lead is the locomotive that takes the 216 out the next day.

Arrival of train 215 and 463 is back home in Chama! One can't mistake that hooter. I like the charm of the hand rung bell on 463 and it also has a very loud air pump.

Here's 216 and 215 video. Will have to see if any more switching is done today.

They just removed one of the coaches from the consist. Will continue to watch, but a 6 car train would mean 463 would be able to run it back to Antonito tomorrow.


There has been movement of the cars in north yard since 215 came in. The entire string that was on the Gramps oil rack track has been moved over to the connector track and one of the MoW cars is now closer to the depot past the wood shop.


Work done...



This little K27 has been real busy lately subbing for the 487 which still seems not to be ready for prime time on the main.




Then finally the 463 goes out to the south side of the house. Hopefully to call it a day.

Here's the move of the tank cars.

Somebody thinks it's July 4th already, a few fireworks going off in the distance tonight. Only caught this one.

That is toward the fairgrounds. Wonder if something is going on there?

Sharon Evans wrote:That is toward the fairgrounds. Wonder if something is going on there?

May well have been. I watched a few bursts before I grabbed that capture. Also one big flash and bang real close by. Have that on video, may put up tomorrow.

Not a lot to see on this one, but a minute in, a flash and loud bang/explosion - someone did something close-by - hopefully just a fireworks. Thought I would post for any with interest.

Roger told me he also heard and saw them but had no clue as to what was going on.