Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

I enjoy stopping by at night to take a look at the yard through the web cams, especially when it is snowing. Thanks for this opportunity. I keep the web page open, and sometimes here unusual noises in the darkness of the night that get my attention... I wonder how many others are keeping watch on this very important historic artifact...the Chama Yard. As an old insurance salesman, security seems to come to mind often when looking at property like this, including our own Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society yard and turntable. I am wondering if there is an emergency number that we could call, if we see some evil doers in the yard at a time they should not be? I bet lots of people are watching and listening, even late at night... Ron

This is a great idea, Ron. Thanks for sharing it. I have added the phone numbers for Chama PD and the Railroad Office to the camera page.

I hear odd noises at various times, as well. There are magpies nesting on the tipple and that accounts for some. But, I frequently hear something that I can only describe as a heavy chain moving through a pulley. It's definitely metallic. No idea what it is.

Jason Rose wrote: I can only describe as a heavy chain moving through a pulley. It's definitely metallic. No idea what it is.

Per C. Dickens, it's Jacob Marley's ghost. Or maybe just the ghosts of hostlers past

Rich, hate to bust your Christmas Story bubble, but I am betting on the coal scoops and cables moving around on their guide rails.

Thank you for that Ebenezer Cole

John Cole wrote:Rich, hate to bust your Christmas Story bubble, but I am betting on the coal scoops and cables moving around on their guide rails.

I thought about that, John. But, I spent quite a bit of time up there this year and never heard the sound I hear on the cameras. I also can't imagine how the buckets and guide rails could make this particular sound.

Chama wind!

Tom C.

Over on the NGDF, Ron Keagle identified that odd sound I keep hearing. It's the crows/magpies. Which makes sense, because there's nothing else living up there.

Here is a video clip someone else recorded of a similar sound. It's sound more metallic to me on the web-cams, but that may because of the mics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq0USRx ... page#t=44s

John Sutkus, (team leader restoring and straightening the tipple) said that when they were cleaning up the sheave house (top pulley room) they found not only nests, but cat collars of Chama area cats that the owls had eaten. There was a neighbor lady that didn't want the team to seal up the top taking away the owl's nesting spot until John showed her a cat collar ID tag from HER CAT that the owls had eaten. She changed her tune right then. about the owl nest.....