07-04-16 Happy 4th of July!!

[Larry Gibson]

Happy 4th of July to all visitors and to those viewing from afar today. Promises to be another great day on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad!

[Larry Gibson]

A beautiful sunrise over Antonito captured by CDOT.

[Larry Gibson]

Early morning light over Chama feature two simmering locomotives and lush vegetation in the yard. Looks like a great day to ride on the holiday this year!

[Sharon Evans]

Today we will have the 4th of July train up to the pavilion after 215 gets into Chama and turned. Also I believe that it is this coming Saturday that the Sunset Dinner trains begin their season so things will get busier. Interesting that the 4th coach was moved over to the yard last evening so maybe not as may expected riders today as have been on over the weekend. Other thing, no Goose 5 this 4th, we will see it in August.

[Larry Sullivan]

Sunrise in Chama -- Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

[Larry Gibson]

Sunrise in Chama -- Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

Well done!

[Larry Gibson]

Today we will have the 4th of July train up to the pavilion after 215 gets into Chama and turned. Also I believe that it is this coming Saturday that the Sunset Dinner trains begin their season so things will get busier. Interesting that the 4th coach was moved over to the yard last evening so maybe not as may expected riders today as have been on over the weekend. Other thing, no Goose 5 this 4th, we will see it in August.

Late evening fireworks hopefully too when the Dinner Train returns to conclude activities on the 4th....

[Sharon Evans]

With good weather expected, they should have the fireworks show tonight. I remember in 2013 when I was there for the 4th it was 45 degrees during the show and I stayed in the Goose to keep out of the wind which was blowing. Think, 45 degrees and there were thunderstorms back in the mountains putting on their own firework show.

[Sharon Evans]

Morning preparations for the 4th of July train 216.

7.4.13 484 is building its fire and the switch to the house is lined to the west lead.jpg (170.02 KiB) Viewed 5402 times

7.4.16 484 moves out to the pit to begin preparations for today's train 216.jpg (188.53 KiB) Viewed 5399 times

7.4.16 484 is taking water.jpg (177.34 KiB) Viewed 5393 times

They must be planning some type of ceremony prior to departure since I hear someone testing a PA system.

7.4.16 484 backs down the main toward the coal dock switch.jpg (170.67 KiB) Viewed 5392 times

7.4.16 484 moves into the coal dock lead.jpg (183.78 KiB) Viewed 5391 times

7.4.16 484 takes on coal for the trip to Osier.jpg (167.37 KiB) Viewed 5391 times

7.4.16 The hostlers are now done and the road crew will take over.jpg (180.59 KiB) Viewed 5388 times

7.4.16 484 has now backed onto today's 7 car 216 note the vendor in front of the reefer.jpg (123.31 KiB) Viewed 5378 times

[Larry Gibson]

With good weather expected, they should have the fireworks show tonight. I remember in 2013 when I was there for the 4th it was 45 degrees during the show and I stayed in the Goose to keep out of the wind which was blowing. Think, 45 degrees and there were thunderstorms back in the mountains putting on their own firework show.

Let's hope it's a better evening in 2016!!

[Sharon Evans]

Departure of train 216: Seven cars with 484 leading again.

7.4.16 216 is now in loading position note that the Colorado now sports flags in addition to the bunting.jpg (133.77 KiB) Viewed 5376 times

7.4.16 Having given the hi ball, the conductor is aboard the Colorado.jpg (133.03 KiB) Viewed 5366 times

7.4.16 484 is flying flags also as someone watches from the wood shop_.jpg (181.4 KiB) Viewed 5366 times

As the 484 passes the coaling tower, the engineer blows for the running brake test.

7.4.16 Colorado shows its patriotic pride as it passes the north cam.jpg (174.37 KiB) Viewed 5366 times

[James Hook]

I have one thing to say to people celebrating the 4th of July today: God Bless America!

[Sharon Evans]

You would think that the 487 would be the power on the 4th train later but right now I cannot see even a whiff of steam or smoke from it.

Its Alive...

7.4.16 The 487 has come out to the pit to start getting ready.jpg (166.16 KiB) Viewed 5330 times

7.4.16 The 487 has now moved to the tank.jpg (160.09 KiB) Viewed 5329 times

7.4.16 487 backs to the coal lead.jpg (161.21 KiB) Viewed 5326 times

7.4.16 487 moves into the coal dock lead.jpg (177.57 KiB) Viewed 5326 times

7.4.16 487 gets its bunker filled before the run to Cumbres.jpg (147.87 KiB) Viewed 5326 times

7.4.16 Preparations done, 487 is now waiting to take train 236 up the hill.jpg (176.46 KiB) Viewed 5326 times

7.4.16 487 has backed into the clear to allow train 215 to get into the depot.jpg (138.44 KiB) Viewed 5326 times

7.4.16 The fire patrol speeder has picked up the water trailer before 236.jpg (167.94 KiB) Viewed 5304 times

[Larry Sullivan]

You would think that the 487 would be the power on the 4th train later but right now I cannot see even a whiff of steam or smoke from it.

I think they heard you - smoke now and headlight on too!

[Sharon Evans]

Arrival of train 215: It looks like he cleared Cumbres just after 3 pm by the fact the cars have gone on the 3:05 pm grab. If this is the case should be in Chama by 4:15 at latest. Well, they have done something I have not seen, the same consist which went east as 216 has returned as 215 without being turned, ie the parlor was behind the 484.

7.4.16 484 brings the 215 into Chama coupled to the parlor Colorado.jpg (176.5 KiB) Viewed 5297 times

7.4.16 A coach brings up the markers.jpg (173.05 KiB) Viewed 5297 times

7.4.16 We can see the platform of the Colorado right behind the tender.jpg (149.21 KiB) Viewed 5297 times

7.4.16 The conductor has dropped off as the train stops.jpg (154.24 KiB) Viewed 5297 times

Just think, anyone riding parlor from Antonito and is a rail fan would be ecstatic since the locomotive sounds are right there in your face. Also wonder if they backed the consist that came from Antonito around the balloon track before heading back so it would come into Antonito in the correct position?

[Sharon Evans]

Preparation and departure of train 236: Since the train set does not have to be wyed, the cleaners and onboard crew are working fast to get it ready to depart back up the hill. Hope everyone brought a jacket since it is going to be chilly when the fireworks are deployed.

7.4.16 487 has now backed to train 236.jpg (136.79 KiB) Viewed 5296 times

7.4.16 Train 236 is now ready to load a bunch of hungry passengers.jpg (114.13 KiB) Viewed 5293 times

7.4.16 Hi ball train 236.jpg (139.51 KiB) Viewed 5273 times

7.4.16 487 gets train 236 out of Chama as 484 gets its fire cleaned.jpg (183.92 KiB) Viewed 5273 times

As train 236 passes the coaling tower, the engineer acknowledged a good running brake test.

7.4.16 For the second time today parlor Colorado heads out of Chama.jpg (170.8 KiB) Viewed 5273 times

[Bill Grierson]

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL! Thanks for all the great coverage every day. Does anyone know what time this evening's train is scheduled to depart and arrive back in Chama?

[Sharon Evans]

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL! Thanks for all the great coverage every day. Does anyone know what time this evening's train is scheduled to depart and arrive back in Chama?

I thought it was due out at 1830 and should be back for the fireworks by 9 or so.

[Bill Grierson]

Thanks Sharon

[Bill Grierson]

I just saw on the NGDF that there has been a big rock slide near Rock Tunnel. A gentlemen riding 215 reported they got through Mud Tunnel then had to back to Big Horn where they turned the train and 463 took it back to Antonito. It might explain how 216 morphed into 215.

[Sharon Evans]

Well, that is something that probably will not be cleared for several day, so will be interesting to see what they do tomorrow. 216 can make it to Osier then come back, but an Antonito to Big Horn ride but not be a whole lot for the people planning to ride 215.

[Larry Gibson]

Dinner Train has just left. Heading into what looks like wet weather in the high country.

[Larry Sullivan]

Train has returned, and now we know where the gondolas that went out on the doubleheader were!

Enjoy the fireworks show, I'm off to work. Videos in the morning.

[Larry Gibson]

Fireworks display underway! A great way to finish the 4th on the RR.

[Larry Gibson]

Good night from Chama!

[Larry Sullivan]

Ok - sorry for the wait on these, unfortunately that silly thing of making a paycheck gets in the way of fun sometimes! Hope all had a great day on the 4th.

Compilation of the days train activity is first up.



A few minutes of the Chama fireworks -- this is one show I need to get to one day, truly lasts an hour -- and as you can see at the end, plenty of stuff still going up after the train has unloaded and switching out, I assume, the gondolas is done.

[Pete Dahlberg]

I just saw on the NGDF that there has been a big rock slide near Rock Tunnel. A gentlemen riding 215 reported they got through Mud Tunnel then had to back to Big Horn where they turned the train and 463 took it back to Antonito. It might explain how 216 morphed into 215.

For sessions C & D, there appeared to be a significant amount of rain East of Cumbres. On July 1 there was a rock patrol speeder preceeding 216 (at least to Osier) so they may have been anticipating a slide.