7/7/16 Quiet simmering

[Sharon Evans]

We have all 3 K36's out in front of the house this morning with the lead switch to the east. This could mean 487 has got the call for today's 216.

7.7.16 They simmer away in the morning still.jpg (150.41 KiB) Viewed 2677 times

[Mike Maguire]

Just caught this - Sunrise over Cumbres ...

[Sharon Evans]

Nice...

[Sharon Evans]

Preparations for today's train 216:

7.7.16 487 is making steam to start its day.jpg (170.42 KiB) Viewed 2657 times

7.7.16 487 moves to the pit for cleaning.jpg (154.33 KiB) Viewed 2657 times

7.7.16 Nice steam from 487 as he moves to the tank.jpg (175.5 KiB) Viewed 2651 times

7.7.16 487 backs down the main on its way to the coal dock.jpg (146.86 KiB) Viewed 2648 times

7.7.16 487 comes into the lead to the coal dock by an open wood shop.jpg (190.09 KiB) Viewed 2648 times

7.7.16 487 takes on coal as a lone fan watches and photographs.jpg (175.59 KiB) Viewed 2648 times

7.7.16 487 has backed out of the coal dock and the road crew is already swinging onboard.jpg (179.23 KiB) Viewed 2648 times

There is a Cinder Bear experience today and 487 is in south yard as I type this.

7.7.16 A fourth coach is taken from south yard to add to today's train.jpg (109.95 KiB) Viewed 2637 times

7.7.16 The 4th coach is added so 8 cars today.jpg (117.43 KiB) Viewed 2635 times

Have to wonder. Yesterday's 215 came in with 4 coaches and they decided to yard the extra coach. At that point the load factor must not have warranted the need for the extra, but one never knows in these cases.

[Sharon Evans]

Departure of train 216: 8 cars with 487 leading
Look around the end of the RPO and there are 9 step boxes. Some painted yellow and some looking very worn.

7.7.16 Train in loading position.jpg (131.35 KiB) Viewed 2631 times

7.7.16 487 gets train 216 moving and past the wood shop with someone watching for the door.jpg (164.45 KiB) Viewed 2616 times

As the 487 passes the coaling tower the engineer blows to alert the conductor of the running brake test

7.7.16 As parlor Colorado passes the coaling tower we see a gentleman looking out.jpg (167.02 KiB) Viewed 2616 times

[Sharon Evans]

489 has come out to the pit. Maybe it will do some check runs today.

7.7.15 489 comes out to the pit.jpg (173.49 KiB) Viewed 2614 times

[Larry Sullivan]

I see 489 headed out after 215 left, came back about 1:30 followed by the fire patrol speeder.

bandicam 2016-07-07 16-45-40-650.jpg (128.86 KiB) Viewed 2576 times

[Sharon Evans]

Arrival of train 215: Looks like 8 cars coming back today. With this grab being 1518, would expect 215 into Chama between 1630 and 1645. We have 487 coming back per the whistle I am hearing.

7.7.15 Parlor New Mexico stopped at Cumbres.jpg (151.75 KiB) Viewed 2566 times

Interesting point: what do they do with the Cinder Bear experience coach? Does it go on through to Antonito light or do they turn it back at Osier which would be very easy to do with the ongoing locomotive swaps.

7.7.15 487 comes into Chama with train 215.jpg (163.23 KiB) Viewed 2549 times

As train 215 passes the coaling tower we see a number of passengers enjoying the sunny afternoon

7.7.16 Parlor New Mexico has lost its holiday bunting.jpg (169.16 KiB) Viewed 2549 times

7.7.16 487 comes past the depot as it slows.jpg (141.86 KiB) Viewed 2549 times

[Larry Sullivan]

Here's today's videos -

216 Departure with 487 leading up the hill.



487 once again returns, as 463 continues to stay operating out of Antonito.



489 is sitting in front of 484 on the West side -- typically this is the spot for the locomotive that goes out the next day, so perhaps 489 is back in service. We'll see in the morning.

[Pete Dahlberg]

Departure of train 216: 8 cars with 487 leading
Look around the end of the RPO and there are 9 step boxes. Some painted yellow and some looking very worn.

At the end of session D the paint crew received a request to paint those boxes. It looks like they got some of them done. One of the big questions was "How will this be done given that they are used on a daily basis?"

7.7.16 Train in loading position.jpg

7.7.16 487 gets train 216 moving and past the wood shop with someone watching for the door.jpg

As the 487 passes the coaling tower the engineer blows to alert the conductor of the running brake test

7.7.16 487 blows the running brake test.jpg

7.7.16 As parlor Colorado passes the coaling tower we see a gentleman looking out.jpg

[Sharon Evans]

They have been there for at least 2 days. They can use them until 'E' when we can paint the rest. Heck, even I could paint those and I am not a great painter.

[Sharon Evans]

We have had an engine shuffle again. 484 is still sitting outside the east stall, but 489 is now outside the west stall behind 487. Look beside the sand pit on the ramp and there is a deer standing there. Also in the north cam one is standing very still looking around.

7.7.16 Locomotive shuffling again.jpg (155.39 KiB) Viewed 2516 times

7.7.16 This lone mule deer was standing very still looking over north yard.jpg (140.1 KiB) Viewed 2515 times

[Pete Dahlberg]

They have been there for at least 2 days. They can use them until 'E' when we can paint the rest. Heck, even I could paint those and I am not a great painter.

I think they use 3 or 4 on every train. The paint crew may have decided that the ones that got painted were in the best shape so they could prime and finish coat in a day. The others may have required more work before priming.