Chama is again wonderful - 2017

[Sharon Evans]

Over the next week or so I will be posting my photographs and links to videos taken during the recent trip to Chama for work session E. I allowed myself 3 days at each end to chase and ride. I will post the photographs in the order they were taken, while the videos will follow a specific train no mater which day it is.

[Fred L. Kuhns]

Sharon, Thanks for all the updates during your stay in Chama. Looking forward to any addition pictures and videos. Fred L. Kuhns

[Sharon Evans]

Sharon, Thanks for all the updates during your stay in Chama. Looking forward to any addition pictures and videos. Fred L. Kuhns

Most welcome Fred.

[Sharon Evans]

Lets begin at the start of my stay, Friday afternoon 7/21/17. I had just gotten into Chama and unloaded my luggage at the Parlor Car B&B and rushed up the hill to catch 215. As I passed Cumbres and rounded the curve on 17, I could see the headlight so went quickly back to Cumbres and set up for the arrival there. Then chased it back into Chama.

K36 487 brings train 215 into Cumbres as it crosses 17 at 4th crossing.

Train 215 comes by the recently completed section house

487 comes up to the water plug to fill its tank for the run down the 4% into Chama

Engineer Jeff Stebbins is up on the tender manning the water spout.

Train 215 comes over 3d crossing of Rt. 17

Jeff still has his left hand on the whistle cord as 487 comes over the road

Parlor New Mexico has the markers this day as the trainman is on his radio and several passengers enjoy the ride

Train 215 comes by the water tank as it enters Chama yard

Mr. Stebbins seems intent on bringing the train home

[Sharon Evans]

Saturday 7/22/17, my first full day in Chama, started off sunny with broken clouds, but clouded over as the train progressed towards Cumbres. This day also brought a double headed with K27 463 as road locomotive and newly re-built 488 as helper. The train was only 7 cars, but this year they have been doing double headers to get 463 over to Antonito so it can do a round trip. They have been mostly on weekends. This group of shots starts in Chama yard and ends up at Cumbres pass.

The hostlers have finished with 463 and it waits the road crew to board

C18 315 is currently on display in Chama until its next run. I believe it will remain in Chama through the upcoming winter again.

In this shot, we see the view of 315 and 463 from the tender end.

A place all C&TS fans want to be, Chama depot.

As 463 waits, 488 backs down to get to the coal dock.

The 463 is pulling the consist of train 216 forward into loading position and passes 315.

With the train in loading position, the 463 and 315 sit boiler to boiler.

Road crewmember Tracy guides the 488 as it backs down to the train.

Join made, Tracy walks back to the 463 to continue getting ready for departure.

The 488 and 463 now sit quietly waiting for departure time.

[Sharon Evans]

Having departed almost on time, we pick up the train as it crossed the Chama River bridge and passes Jukes tree.

488 leads the train over the bridge.

The double header comes by Jukes tree.

both locomotives are smoking it up as they pass the tree.

Julian follows along with the fire patrol speeder.

Train 216 rounds the curve into Labato where it will stop so 488 can go over the trestle first due to weight restrictions.

Tracy has uncoupled the 488 from the train and it moves away.

There is a haze of smoke hanging over Labato as 488 moves over the Lobato trestle over Wolf Creek.

The 463 now pulls the train over the trestle as 488 waits on the other side.

The 488 has now recoupled to the train and is doing a standing brake test before resuming the climb.

The train climbs away from Labato on the 4% grade.

[Sharon Evans]

We finish this mornings chase with the train approaching 3d crossing and getting to the summit at Cumbres Pass.

I spotted a mule deer grazing beside the beaver pond as I waited for the train to get to this location.

The double header passes the beaver pond with its reflection in the still surface.

The climb over, the 488 cuts away as 463 takes on water. He is blowing for the 4th crossing of Rt. 17.

This being a Cinder Bear train, the 463 has pulled the consist forward so the kids and their parents can get off and board the bus back to Chama.

Cinder Bear passengers off, the 463 gets the train underway for the down hill run to Osier and Antonito.

The 216 gone, 488 backs down toward the wye so he can turn and head back to Chama. Again, I caught him blowing for the crossing of 17.

[Sharon Evans]

On Sunday 7/23/17 I decided to start the day in Antonito and chase train 215 with 463 back to Chama. Last year I explored the Osier Rd. and located several nice photo spots off of the road which I was headed back to this year and then down to Osier itself. One interesting thing, due to how far you have to drive from Osier back to Chama, the train will actually beat you to Cumbres if it is on time.

Train 215 is departing Antonito with 463 leading.

463 crosses county road E5 on its way out of Antonito.

Train 215 heads off into the high desert

As the train heads away, it looks so small against the expanse of the country around it.

463 Comes around the curve leading to the Forest Service road leading down to the Los Pinos valley.

463 crosses over the Forest Service road.

On the road it is less than 0.5 miles from the crossing to this point yet its probably 2 - 3 miles by train.

Jeff Stebbins is at the throttle of 463 as it passes.

The Osier lunch room where every day you can get a full turkey dinner, meat loaf meal or salad bar with several hot items.

Train 216 from Chama is approaching the Osier stop. If both trains are on time 216 gets in about 30 minutes ahead of 215, yet both leave at about 1:45 pm.

[Sharon Evans]

Tracy is firing the 487 as it comes into Osier.

The Friends have refurbished the old buildings at Osier and here are several shots of the station. The docent on 216 opens them up and the docent on 215 locks them back before departing.

Tracy is running the 463 as it departs Osier.

463 leads train 215 out of Osier after the lunch stop and passes the water tank.

Train 215 is rounding the curve leading away from Osier.

Train 215 comes into Chama close to time.

[George Pearce]

Sharon, in your first shot of the lunch room at Osier here, did you notice that you weren't alone when taking the picture? Just follow the rails from the right side of the shot.

[John Cole]

Great photos Sharon, thanks for sharing them with us. I always ask Tracy when the train comes by 'did he get dirty today? He is Mr. Clean, Jeff on the other hand seems to be a dirt magnet. (Perhaps Tracy wipe his dirt on Jeff...)

[Sharon Evans]

Great photos Sharon, thanks for sharing them with us. I always ask Tracy when the train comes by 'did he get dirty today? He is Mr. Clean, Jeff on the other hand seems to be a dirt magnet. (Perhaps Tracy wipe his dirt on Jeff...)

I love to watch Tracy on the cams. He is wiping down and washing off everything he can before the train goes out. It is amazing how he does the round trip to Osier both shoveling coal and running the locomotive and never seems to get dirty.

[Sharon Evans]

Sharon, in your first shot of the lunch room at Osier here, did you notice that you weren't alone when taking the picture? Just follow the rails from the right side of the shot.

I noticed the presence of that critter as I was taking the shot, but did not realize I caught it.

[Jason Rose]

The interior of the Osier Depot is STUNNING!!!

Dawgone... that is just cool!

[Sharon Evans]

The Friends do good work, including "dressing the set".

[John Cole]

I just wish that more of the train riders came over to check out the exibit as there are very few visitors. Considering that the structure was the restroom before the new dining hall was constructed, it has had an amazing transformation back into what it origionally was built for.