9/4/16 Busy morning on this Sunday and Double Header

[Sharon Evans]

The speeders are getting ready and speeder departure.

9.4.16 Speeder owners are getting ready to head out to Antonito.jpg (113.51 KiB) Viewed 2594 times

9.4.16 The speeders continue to get ready as we have the golden moment.jpg (126.42 KiB) Viewed 2588 times

9.4.16 The speeder operators are getting a morning briefing.jpg (106.63 KiB) Viewed 2577 times

9.4.16 The speeders begin moving ahead.jpg (122.43 KiB) Viewed 2577 times

9.4.16 The progress progresses back down the line.jpg (105.95 KiB) Viewed 2577 times

9.4.16 All but the last 4 have started moving.jpg (109.38 KiB) Viewed 2577 times

9.4.16 All are now moving out of Chama.jpg (123.24 KiB) Viewed 2577 times

[Sharon Evans]

Morning preparations for train 216: Right now 487 has its light on and the switch is to it. The 487 just moved to the left side and the 463 has its light on, do we, maybe...I would say we are going to have a double header this morning.

9.4.16 463 looks ready to come out now that 487 moved.jpg (115.53 KiB) Viewed 2589 times

9.4.16 463 comes to the pit to get ready for a run to Antonito.jpg (120.11 KiB) Viewed 2588 times

9.4.16 487 has now come up behind the 463 to wait its turn at the pit.jpg (101.53 KiB) Viewed 2588 times

463 has moved down to the tank and 487 has moved over the pit. The speeder owners continue to work on getting their charges ready to head out.

9.4.16 463 is indeed down at the yard throat.jpg (111.91 KiB) Viewed 2580 times

9.4.16 463 backs down the main by the speeders.jpg (102.79 KiB) Viewed 2580 times

9.4.16 463 moves toward the coal dock as 487 is still getting cleaned.jpg (106.17 KiB) Viewed 2580 times

9.4.16 One of the speeder owners talks to a hostler on 463.jpg (127.76 KiB) Viewed 2580 times

9.4.16 463 gets coal added to its bunker as 487 takes water.jpg (108.98 KiB) Viewed 2580 times

9.4.16 487 backs by the speeders on its way to the dock.jpg (108.74 KiB) Viewed 2578 times

[Sharon Evans]

Morning preparations continued:

9.4.16 487 moves ahead to the coal dock as 463 waits its road crew.jpg (120.23 KiB) Viewed 2578 times

9.4.16 487 gets its coal bunker filled.jpg (111.15 KiB) Viewed 2575 times

9.4.16 463 comes out of south yard with a 5th coach.jpg (80.92 KiB) Viewed 2576 times

Note the hostler looking out the window as he waits to be relieved.

9.4.16 487 is waiting its road crew as 463 pulls the 5th coach out on the main.jpg (129.22 KiB) Viewed 2576 times

9.4.16 463 has shoved the extra 2 coaches onto train 216.jpg (84.12 KiB) Viewed 2576 times

9.4.16 463 puts up quite a column of smoke as it moves the trainset into load position.jpg (129.39 KiB) Viewed 2575 times

[Sharon Evans]

Departure of train 216: 463 road locomotive, 487 helper and 9 cars

9.4.16 216 is in loading position.jpg (89.49 KiB) Viewed 2574 times

9.4.16 487 has now coupled onto train 216.jpg (134.4 KiB) Viewed 2574 times

9.4.16 The conductor give the hi ball for departurre from Chama.jpg (71.48 KiB) Viewed 2556 times

9.4.16 As the train starts to move, the conductor climbs on the New Mexico.jpg (75.51 KiB) Viewed 2556 times

9.4.16 Nice steam and smoke plumbs on this 60 degree day.jpg (107.48 KiB) Viewed 2556 times

As the train passes the tipple both locomotives are working.

9.4.16 The New Mexico is full, but all the windows are shut on this cool, damp day.jpg (102.1 KiB) Viewed 2556 times

9.4.16 Train 216 is clearing Chama.jpg (107.27 KiB) Viewed 2556 times

[Sharon Evans]

The last regular student class begins today and would think 484 would be the locomotive being used. Next week is an advanced class so there will be a lot of yard work being done so they can learn switching techniques. The 487 is headed to the house after coming back from Cumbres. The 484 is in front of the 487 on the east side.

9.4.16 The students gather.jpg (113.96 KiB) Viewed 2513 times

9.4.16 The students walk over to the 484 to begin their briefing_.jpg (138.72 KiB) Viewed 2513 times

9.4.16 The 484 has moved down to the end of the house lead and we see some of the students walking down there.jpg (106.25 KiB) Viewed 2502 times

[Sharon Evans]

Arrival of train 215: 489 and 9 cars

9.4.16 215 stopped at Cumbres.jpg (103.67 KiB) Viewed 2512 times

9.4.16 The speeders have made it to Antonito.jpg (84.79 KiB) Viewed 2504 times

It would not surprise me to see 463 doing the Antonito - Osier turn for the week. The student train will have one K36 tied up through Wednesday so they can keep 2 in Chama this way.

9.4.16 489 brings a 9 car 215 into Chama.jpg (126.78 KiB) Viewed 2502 times

As 215 passes the tipple, we see people enjoying the nice Sunday.

9.4.16 Colorado's platform is empty except for the trainman.jpg (143.09 KiB) Viewed 2502 times

9.4.16 We can see the 2 extra coaches as 215 slows.jpg (107.15 KiB) Viewed 2502 times

The 2 extra coaches were removed and placed into south yard, so probably on 7 cars tomorrow.

[Larry Sullivan]

Here's the video of the day --

NARCOA speeders head out on their way to Antonito today. Looks like a fun way to ride the railroad for sure!



Train 216, a doubleheader today with 463 as the road locomotive and 487 as the helper.



Helper locomotive 487 returns to Chama



Train 215 arrives as the students head down toward the water tank for familiarization runs.

[Larry Sullivan]

To close out the day, a trio of deer - perhaps Mom and young, explore the yard.

[Mike Maguire]

Awwww - that's really cute. Nice catch Larry. I wonder what it is that attracts them ? Is there a salt-lick around ?

[Tom Casper]

Is there a salt-lick around ?

Not in the yard Mike. Remember the east side of the yard is called the swamp. Lots of water and tall weeds for them to feed and hide in.
Probably have a garden they visit in town for snacks!

Tom C.