Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 5:05 am

It's 5:00am and snow has been falling steadily overnight. Interesting to see if #489 comes out to play today ...

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by **Larry Sullivan** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 5:26 am

They should fire up 489 sometime today, no real reason to come out unless they have something else to do to prepare the train. Last year it was snowing on the Saturday as well, kept the crowd down some as I remember then Sunday they were quite full, so we'll see what happens this year. Worst of the snow should be today and overnight, with it tapering off by morning - if the forecast is correct. Will sure make for a nice Christmas feeling!

by **Edwin Frey** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 6:34 am

As of 6:30 AM, there's smoke coming from the engine house stack.

by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 6:43 am

So there is ...

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by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 7:07 am

There's a real deep-winter look to the yard as dawn breaks over Chama ...

by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 7:19 am

#15 is awake ...

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by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 8:02 am

#15 is back a'sleep whilst #489 vents black smoke ...

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by **Jason Rose** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 8:08 am

Wow... that looks COLD.

Sure wish I was there.

by **John Hamman** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 8:19 am

Guys, I could be mistaken, but I think I can hear 15 running. I seem to recall there is much less exhaust after it warms up.

by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 8:27 am

West stall door is open and #489 has poked its nose out ...

I think you might be right about #15 John - sound's not very good here ...

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by **Jason Rose** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 8:42 am

I had a free moment, so I grabbed some high res shots directly from the cameras.

Enjoy.

by **Jason Rose** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 8:45 am

Here's one after the smoke cleared.

by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 8:48 am

Looks like a full head of steam as the safety valve lifts ...

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by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 8:49 am

Jason Rose wrote:I had a free moment, so I grabbed some high res shots directly from the cameras.

Enjoy.

Thanks Jason - those are great views ...

by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 8:52 am

I looked away for a moment and find #489 at the engine house lead switch ...

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by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 8:59 am

#489 is away to the coal dock after some trouble with the switch ...

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by **Jason Rose** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:03 am

Few more high res shots.

by **Larry Gibson** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:07 am

Digging out switch points!

by **Larry Gibson** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:09 am

At the coal dock 9:10.

by **Jason Rose** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:10 am

Brrr...

by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:14 am

Jason Rose wrote:Few more high res shots.

Keep those coming Jason 'cos, sadly, I have to go ...

by **Jason Rose** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:15 am

Will do my best. Work has to come first.

by **Larry Sullivan** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:22 am

Mike Maguire wrote:
Jason Rose wrote:Few more high res shots.

Keep those coming Jason 'cos, sadly, I have to go ...

Don't have Jason's hi res views, but plenty of us watching today for coverage. It sure does look cold there -- but I'd still take it over the 80 degrees we will have all Christmas week here!

Moved the coaches now.

: bandicam 2016-12-16 11-26-11-338.jpg (69.21 KiB) Viewed 9490 times

by **Jason Rose** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:34 am

I'm wearing short sleeves. Supposed to be in the 70's here today.

by **Jason Rose** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:47 am

by **Larry Gibson** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 9:54 am

Let it Snow! Let it Blow! Let it Snow!

by **Jason Rose** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 10:00 am

Here's that "rotary" Rich was talking about on the NGDF.

by **Bill Hoss** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 10:21 am

I assume that the railroad doesn't maintain a couple sets of cab curtains for winter use. The ICC inspection manual for steam locomotives use to require curtains to cover the back wall opening, the opening between the cab and tender at the walk ways and also one over the area between the cab roof and the top of the coal bunker. I suspect the crews might appreciate them today.

by **Jim Reynolds** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 10:59 am

Looks like old-time Rio Grande railroading!!

by **Jeff Schrimmer** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 11:04 am

More activity.

Jeff

by **Larry Gibson** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 11:06 am

As switching goes on something is afoot at the ash pit.

by **Jeff Schrimmer** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 11:11 am

Torch work by the ashpit.

Jeff

by **Larry Gibson** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 11:13 am

Some bare ground rectangles where the coaches sat as the Santa train is being made up.

by **John Hamman** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 11:20 am

Mike Maguire wrote:West stall door is open and #489 has poked its nose out ...

I think you might be right about #15 John - sound's not very good here ...

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Mike, I think they subsequently shut down somewhere around when the 489 came out.
JH

by **Jason Rose** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 11:32 am

by **John Hamman** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 12:30 pm

Jason Rose wrote:Here's one after the smoke cleared.

Very nice! Much clearer pictures.

by **Jason Rose** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 12:50 pm

From: FCTS Boots-on-the-Ground

"489 will departing for a test run to Lobato soon."

by **Sharon Evans** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 12:52 pm

Right now it is raining and the temperature tomorrow morning is going to be close to zero. They are going to really have ice issues.

by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 12:53 pm

Some interesting work going on on the Depot track. After using a steam lance to clear the switch, #489 has backed down to the lone boxcar that was standing between the two road crossings. Meanwhile, a loader has been clearing snow from the track ahead of the display cars ...

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by **Sharon Evans** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 12:56 pm

I would think they would want to move the 2 storage cars to allow easy access to the passenger cars tomorrow and Sunday.

by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 1:14 pm

All coupled up ...

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by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 1:20 pm

... and away ...

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by **Bruce McDowell** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 1:27 pm

Loving all the action today. But is there any reason they don't whistle the locomotive movements during the off season? I'm missing that part of the experience!

by **Sharon Evans** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 1:27 pm

...and the cams just died.

by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 1:31 pm

Sharon Evans wrote:...and the cams just died.

They just froze briefly Sharon ...

by **Sharon Evans** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 1:34 pm

Mike Maguire wrote:
Sharon Evans wrote:...and the cams just died.

They just froze Sharon ...

Thanks, I had to reset my connection.

by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 1:57 pm

#489 heads out for its run up to Lobato ...

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by **Larry Gibson** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 2:22 pm

Looks like the Santa Trains may load directly from the depot platform with the stationary cars moved out of the way???

by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 2:29 pm

Larry Gibson wrote:Looks like the Santa Trains may load directly from the depot platform with the stationary cars moved out of the way???

Seems the most likely explanation for all the work. Even with a slight thaw, the ground will be pretty slushy, especially for kids ...

by **Mike Maguire** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 3:17 pm

#489 is back from its travels. No stop at the tank or ash-pit, straight into the west stall ...

Quite a day ...

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