10/19/18 Friday and 2 days until end of season

[Sharon Evans]

Morning preparations: It is 33 degrees in Chama this morning.

2018-10-19 The 484 is at the pit to begin this last Friday of the season.jpg (90.04 KiB) Viewed 2633 times

The sun is glinting off the spout as it is down.

2018-10-19 The 484 has moved to the tank to get water.jpg (90.07 KiB) Viewed 2631 times

2018-10-19 The hostlers back the 484 down toward the coal dock lead.jpg (98.88 KiB) Viewed 2631 times

2018-10-19 The hostler on the loader dumps a bucket of coal into the bunker of 484.jpg (92.27 KiB) Viewed 2628 times

I was watching from my tablet and saw the switching of the tank cars so will add this to what I post.

2018-10-19 The hostler are done and have left the 484 for the road crew.jpg (110.22 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

2018-10-19 The road crew has taken the 484 into south yard and are coming out with the 2 tank cars that were used on the student freight.jpg (110.45 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

2018-10-19 Coming past the woodshop with the cars.jpg (117.09 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

2018-10-19 They have taken them up and coupled onto the other tank cars at Gramps Oil rack.jpg (104.58 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

The switching done, the 484 is now on the 9 car train 216

[Sharon Evans]

Departure of train 216:

The train has now been pulled into loading position

2018-10-19 The conductor has raised his arm to give the high ball for train 216 to depart.jpg (91.38 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

2018-10-19 After a minute, the locomotive crew acknowledge and he boards the parlor.jpg (90.52 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

2018-10-19 The 484 digs in as it gets the 8 car train moving.jpg (110.71 KiB) Viewed 2596 times

2018-10-19 Nice steam effects in the cold air as the 484 passes the woodshop.jpg (108.54 KiB) Viewed 2595 times

Again we see a good load as the train passes the tipple

2018-10-19 Having acknowledged a good running brake test, the conductor is still on the parlor platform.jpg (103.06 KiB) Viewed 2595 times

2018-10-19 The parlor New Mexico is passing the tank as the train heads east.jpg (102.48 KiB) Viewed 2595 times

2018-10-19 The last cars on the train round the curve as the speeders move to follow.jpg (104.36 KiB) Viewed 2595 times

[Sharon Evans]

Arrival of train 215:

Based on the position of the parlor, it is at least 9 cars long.

2018-10-19 Train 215 has arrived at Cumbres Pass.jpg (133.58 KiB) Viewed 2595 times

2018-10-19 The 463 leads a 9 car train 215 into Chama.jpg (99.01 KiB) Viewed 2582 times

2018-10-19 The fall sun angle illuminates the front of 463.jpg (99.04 KiB) Viewed 2582 times

2018-10-19 The 463 brings its train up to the tipple.jpg (99.96 KiB) Viewed 2582 times

Passing the tipple we see a few bundled up passengers enjoying the sun

We can see the trainman on the steps of the parlor Colorado while the 463 is passing the display cars

2018-10-19 The 463 passes the depot as it slows.jpg (101.38 KiB) Viewed 2582 times

2018-10-19 The train is stopped and we can see some passengers in the Big Horn moving to exit.jpg (100.81 KiB) Viewed 2582 times

[Larry Gibson]

463 getting some TLC in the late afternoon sun.

[Sharon Evans]

After returning from the wye, all 9 cars were left staged for tomorrow's 216 which means we could have a double header on the penultimate day of the season.