Ballast in Cumbres Lot

[John Hamman]

Probably slow on this, but last time I noticed on the Cumbres pass north cam there were several large piles of ballast in the corner of the lot near the cam. It looks now like they are gone. Just curious, anybody know where are they putting it?
John H.

[Tom Casper]

under the track

Tom C.

[Bruce McDowell]

Seems to be an annual routine maintenance event. Couple years ago there were ballast trains leaving out of Chama so I'm assuming the track work was taking place closer to Chama than Cumbres; a K-36 was assigned to those trains when I caught them on the yard cameras. Last year and this they staged ballast at Cumbres and #19 our of Antonito was the power.

[John Hamman]

Thanks - they sure have improved the main line over the past few years. Would like to see them at work sometime.
John

[John Hamman]

under the track

Tom C.

LOL - yes better under than over!

[Robert Brigham]

All last week (Friends work week G) I commuted/car pooled from Chama to Antonito and saw #19 at Cumbres with a few gondola cars and the track work equipment on the lead east of the road crossing just out of sight of the CDOT camera. At one point I saw them moving ballast in the parking lot with a front end loader but did not see the actual transfer to the gondolas. The MOW crew is applying ballast to various parts of the line, and there were slow orders in a few locations when I rode on the 24th.

[John Hamman]

All last week (Friends work week G) I commuted/car pooled from Chama to Antonito and saw #19 at Cumbres with a few gondola cars and the track work equipment on the lead east of the road crossing just out of sight of the CDOT camera. At one point I saw them moving ballast in the parking lot with a front end loader but did not see the actual transfer to the gondolas. The MOW crew is applying ballast to various parts of the line, and there were slow orders in a few locations when I rode on the 24th.

I bet that is a great drive this time of year - I really enjoyed it when I out during the summer a few year ago. Thanks for info!
John