6/4/18 Monday - A Curious Thing Happened
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 12:50 am.
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Sunday evening I was viewing a few videos taken during the afternoon and evening. Locomotive 488 had just dropped off the consist of cars scheduled for Train 216 destined for Cumbres Monday. Appearing to have finished the chores for the day, it headed toward the tipple and out of sight. The north camera showed a surprising event. Locomotive 488 stopped at the water tank, topped off its cistern from the west spout, and then backed up toward the tipple. Maybe it wasn't finished for the day afterall. (P.S. If you can't wait until 488 returns from the water tower, advance the video to the 4 minute 20 second mark.)
The south camera then revealed some surprising events. The engineer continued south until it came to a switch which allowed it to move to the next track east. Continuing to travel south until passing the depot and restrooms, and possibly past the weighing station, the engineer stopped the train, issuing a short blast of the whistle. To my surprise the engine was then moved northward and through the trees behind the engine house. The puffs of steam up through the trees revealed its progress. Not stopping at the rear of the engine house, as it sometimes does. Locomotive 488 was driven into the west bay of the engine house, through the building, and out to the ash pit. Why? Time and time again for five years, I have watched the locomotives finish the day at the ash pit, return to the water tower to top off for the evening, and then back past the pit to rest in front of the engine house. What happened to change all this?
Perhaps a clue to the change in dumping ash process can be seen in this video taken earlier in the day. You will notice a yard worker approach the speeder driver. Probably called and asked him to stop a moment. Following the brief conversation the worker with the shovel quickly goes to the pit and peers into the ???? A most curious matter. Made even more curious by his posture as he surveyed the situation. What happened to cause this? He was very careful not to step onto where he was looking.
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A Very Curious Event
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Sunday evening I was viewing a few videos taken during the afternoon and evening. Locomotive 488 had just dropped off the consist of cars scheduled for Train 216 destined for Cumbres Monday. Appearing to have finished the chores for the day, it headed toward the tipple and out of sight. The north camera showed a surprising event. Locomotive 488 stopped at the water tank, topped off its cistern from the west spout, and then backed up toward the tipple. Maybe it wasn't finished for the day afterall. (P.S. If you can't wait until 488 returns from the water tower, advance the video to the 4 minute 20 second mark.)
The south camera then revealed some surprising events. The engineer continued south until it came to a switch which allowed it to move to the next track east. Continuing to travel south until passing the depot and restrooms, and possibly past the weighing station, the engineer stopped the train, issuing a short blast of the whistle. To my surprise the engine was then moved northward and through the trees behind the engine house. The puffs of steam up through the trees revealed its progress. Not stopping at the rear of the engine house, as it sometimes does. Locomotive 488 was driven into the west bay of the engine house, through the building, and out to the ash pit. Why? Time and time again for five years, I have watched the locomotives finish the day at the ash pit, return to the water tower to top off for the evening, and then back past the pit to rest in front of the engine house. What happened to change all this?
Perhaps a clue to the change in dumping ash process can be seen in this video taken earlier in the day. You will notice a yard worker approach the speeder driver. Probably called and asked him to stop a moment. Following the brief conversation the worker with the shovel quickly goes to the pit and peers into the ???? A most curious matter. Made even more curious by his posture as he surveyed the situation. What happened to cause this? He was very careful not to step onto where he was looking.
Engine House is Building To Left ______Roundhouse is Building to Right
Attribution: Chama Visitor's Center
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