Source of coal

[Pete Stagg]

Can anyone tell me where the C&TRR their coal is mined? How is it delivered?

[Chromozomer]

The coal comes from the National King Mine in Hesperus, Colorado. It is brought to the RR by truck.

[Tom Casper]

Pete, please don't take offense with this, but how many ways can they bring coal into Chama in 2012? I wonder why you would ask that! I can see where but how! Just got me wondering!

Tom C.

[Pete Stagg]

Well Tom,
Being not a local (from NJ) and reading that the webcams were mounted on the "coal tipple" it was not a great leap to think the coal got into the tenders via that. How could the coal get into the tipple? Well, since I did not know then, the source of the coal and that mine it came from has no rail connection (highly unusual, it would seem), I assumed it came from ? via rail Alamosa to Antonito, transfered to NG and then to Chama. It was only yesterday, I saw that a bucket loader filled the tender. And now it makes more sense.
While I have your attention, a few other questons that a fireman would know.

While the engines sit idling hot for hours, does someone have to stay in the cab to feed coal & water? Is there some sort of auto water feed in case the hostler(?) forgets?

What takes place to the east side of the tipple where the engines stop and sit, out of view, for maybe ten minutes or so? I'm taking another leap and quessing thats the ash dump pit? They also stop on the west side periodically when running light. What is happening there, a second ash pit?

My first exposure to the C&TRR was last June when our speeder owners group held a meet in Alamosa, which included a ride on the Cumbres. Now with the webcams, I am dying to return.

[Dick Cowles]

OK "Chromozomer" let's see your ID. Otherwise, no prize for providing the right answer.

[Rich Murray]

Well Tom,
While the engines sit idling hot for hours, does someone have to stay in the cab to feed coal & water? Is there some sort of auto water feed in case the hostler(?) forgets?

What takes place to the east side of the tipple where the engines stop and sit, out of view, for maybe ten minutes or so? I'm taking another leap and quessing thats the ash dump pit? They also stop on the west side periodically when running light. What is happening there, a second ash pit?

My first exposure to the C&TRR was last June when our speeder owners group held a meet in Alamosa, which included a ride on the Cumbres. Now with the webcams, I am dying to return.

Pete, briefly,there is a hostler but there isn't any auto water feed. (historical accuracy ). On the east side of the tipple is the ash pit, your guess is a good one. There are no facilities on the west side of the tipple on the main. The tipple while having been restored is not used there as the bucket loaders are much more efficient. (historical inaccuracy)

[Chromozomer]

OK "Chromozomer" let's see your ID. Otherwise, no prize for providing the right answer.

Dick: How many people do you know who live in Chromo? Hint, it's NOT Richard J.

[Rich Murray]

OK "Chromozomer" let's see your ID. Otherwise, no prize for providing the right answer.

Dick: How many people do you know who live in Chromo? Hint, it's NOT Richard J.

Can I play?

[Chromozomer]

Can I play?

Rich: ABSOLUTELY!!!!

[Dick Cowles]

Here we go down the chrome-plated, anonymous-posting slope; for shame, Muth, you of all people.

[Rich Muth]

Guilty: I'm afraid that the admonition to post using your real name eluded my weakened eyesight!

Rich

[Tom Casper]

Pete,thanks for ansering. Now I understand why you asked.

Tom C.

[mogulsmoke@sbcglobal.net]

I too wonder what happens when the engines stop out of sight, adjacent to the tipple. A few days ago, I heard the sound of what I think was coal being dumped into the tender. When the same engine went by the tipple cameras earlier there was very little coal in the tender. After the stop and the sound similar to a coal dump, the engine moved on with more coal in it. I presume the tipple is still inoperable, so you must have another location to take on coal? Right?
Ron Lewis

Well Tom,
Being not a local (from NJ) and reading that the webcams were mounted on the "coal tipple" it was not a great leap to think the coal got into the tenders via that. How could the coal get into the tipple? Well, since I did not know then, the source of the coal and that mine it came from has no rail connection (highly unusual, it would seem), I assumed it came from ? via rail Alamosa to Antonito, transfered to NG and then to Chama. It was only yesterday, I saw that a bucket loader filled the tender. And now it makes more sense.
While I have your attention, a few other questons that a fireman would know.

While the engines sit idling hot for hours, does someone have to stay in the cab to feed coal & water? Is there some sort of auto water feed in case the hostler(?) forgets?

What takes place to the east side of the tipple where the engines stop and sit, out of view, for maybe ten minutes or so? I'm taking another leap and quessing thats the ash dump pit? They also stop on the west side periodically when running light. What is happening there, a second ash pit?

My first exposure to the C&TRR was last June when our speeder owners group held a meet in Alamosa, which included a ride on the Cumbres. Now with the webcams, I am dying to return.