Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

The 489 and 484 are out in front of the house without a hint of steam from either, the doors are closed and no one is moving about.

484 was like that yesterday - woke up with a vengeance later ...

Very likely on the 4 day work week now. I have seen no cars come in this morning, also no smoke from the top of the shop that would indicate heaters running. We'll see if anything happens later, but very likely quiet until Monday.

Larry Sullivan wrote:Very likely on the 4 day work week now. I have seen no cars come in this morning, also no smoke from the top of the shop that would indicate heaters running. We'll see if anything happens later, but very likely quiet until Monday.

I asked about the start of the 4 day week in yesterday's posts and looks like we have an answer. Things may happen later but as of now no movement at all.

Good point Larry. Downside of being retired - I lose track of time ....

Mike Maguire wrote:Good point Larry. Downside of being retired - I lose track of time ....

Agree Mike, the only reason I keep up with what day it is my workout place is only open Monday - Friday. Being retired in England should give you the chance to chase after all the preserved steam that runs over there. I watch it on YouTube and would love to come see it, but, though I have enough to do the things I want to here, that trip is out of reach.

Meanwhile over in Durango, they are getting ready for their daily train.

Have visited Durango twice, in 1994 & 1998. The second time we stayed at the Iron Horse Inn, right by the track. Each day I had breakfast on the lineside and watched the morning service go past. Bliss !

That time we also rode the C&T from Antonito to Cumbres, returning by coach. Vowed that I would return one day ....

True that we have a lot of heritage lines in the UK, but too many are preserved in aspic. As "historical records" they are probably fine, but lack the grit of a working railway.

There's something truly heroic about US railroads - the distances and terrains conquered, the working conditions and practices.

The C&T embodies that heroism and retains the grit.

Even the cars that were parked at the depot earlier today have gone. The only person left appears to be a workman doing something in the support building. All locomotives have gone cold and we will see Monday if they start separating tenders, though I would think the 489 would keep its for now since that is probably the locomotive they will use for the Santa trains.

The first of many quiet days to come. A long weekend for those employees who will be active throughout the coming winter.
It will be interesting to watch for 315 in the next few days to determine where it will winter on the RR.

They have already said the 315 will over winter in Chama. Right now its on the south side of the house. You of the mind it may go over to Antonito?

We will just have to wait and see...

Now that the C&TS has Christmas trains, do we think the days of the "hospital" trains are in the past? Or did that happen already and I missed it.

Greg Coit
Eureka, CA

Greg Coit wrote:Now that the C&TS has Christmas trains, do we think the days of the "hospital" trains are in the past? Or did that happen already and I missed it.

Greg Coit
Eureka, CA

Nope, hospital train will be coming to move cars over to Antonito's shop for work over the winter. Enough cars should remain in Chama to use on the Christmas train.

Will they also work in Chama during the winter? Like on 488?

Daniel Rohrbeck wrote:Will they also work in Chama during the winter? Like on 488?

The shop crew stays busy in Chama all winter, they'll work on a 4 day work week. Often we'll see nothing but the smoke from the heaters off the roof of the shop, but there will be times they move locos around, or clear snow or other activity.

I would expect 488 is getting worked on daily now that the season is over, we may even see her steamed up at some point to do various checks.

For now I'll put this in here, going to see how this goes. Each week I'll do a review video rather than videos for each day - unless there is special activity then I may do a daily. Bear with me as I work these out and get the editing smoothed out! Some weeks there may be little to no activity as we move into the winter.

First week of the off season this week --