8/13/17 Sunday - School is in today

[Sharon Evans]

Morning Preparations: 489 has gotten the call for today's 216.

8-13-17 489 moves away from the house to begin this Sunday.jpg (170.35 KiB) Viewed 2605 times

8-13-17 489 moves over the pit for a fire cleaning.jpg (165.06 KiB) Viewed 2605 times

Frank is over by the coal dock at this point. I am wondering if this may be one of the students for the Engineer/Fireman's School.

8-13-17 A fan is really getting close to the action at the pit.jpg (149.71 KiB) Viewed 2604 times

8-13-17 Our man in Chama, Frank.jpg (210.19 KiB) Viewed 2604 times

8-13-17 489 backs toward the coal lead switch.jpg (178.28 KiB) Viewed 2599 times

8-13-17 489 pulls by the wood shop as it heads to the coal dock.jpg (183.72 KiB) Viewed 2599 times

8-13-17 The loader gets to work topping off the bunker of 489.jpg (162.42 KiB) Viewed 2599 times

8-13-17 The hostlers are done and the road crew takes over the 489.jpg (216.16 KiB) Viewed 2597 times

8-13-17 487 is smoking away at the house while 489 has backed onto today's train.jpg (215.69 KiB) Viewed 2592 times

Looks like the hostlers are going to do both at the same time as far as cleaning and watering, with 487 the power for this move.

8-13-17 487 comes out from the house towing 488.jpg (216.79 KiB) Viewed 2590 times

[Sharon Evans]

Departure of train 216: 489 and 7 cars

8-13-17 489 has pulled today's train 216 into loading position while 487 has pulled 488 over the pit.jpg (200.31 KiB) Viewed 2589 times

8-13-17 489 gets train 216 underway with a number of people watching.jpg (205.71 KiB) Viewed 2581 times

8-13-17 The train passes the wood shop with people waving.jpg (200.68 KiB) Viewed 2581 times

As the train passes the tipple, we can see Frank in the café car.

8-13-17 Frank gets in a harty wave as the car passes the north cam.jpg (180.45 KiB) Viewed 2580 times

8-13-17 The parlor New Mexico is by with the conductor still on the platform after doing the running brake test.jpg (193 KiB) Viewed 2580 times

8-13-17 The 489 is clearing the north yard as the parlor is by the tank.jpg (185.64 KiB) Viewed 2580 times

8-13-17 The last cars clear the yard with the speeder right behind.jpg (195.08 KiB) Viewed 2580 times

[Frank Smith]

U were right Sharon. The guy at the ash Pitt was a fireman student. Real excited of course. Have a good day and thanks for organizing my day. Gotta run. Gotta train to catch.

[Sharon Evans]

Thanks Frank, our man in Chama. Turkey or meatloaf today???

This afternoon we will have 215 coming back with 463 as well as the initial day of the school where they run out a ways to familiarize themselves with the operation of the locomotive. Some times these runs will start before the 215 gets in, other times after. According to the C&TS website, this school is a sell out, so 6 Fireman students and 6 engineer.

8-13-17 The students have gathered at the house to continue the Sunday activities.jpg (195.61 KiB) Viewed 2553 times

8-13-17 The students have gathered at the front of the 487 as they continue to get briefed on its operation.jpg (181.4 KiB) Viewed 2550 times

8-13-17 With train 215 safely at the depot, the 487 leaves on the first check run.jpg (234.39 KiB) Viewed 2544 times

8-13-17 The students not on the 487 walk down to the north end of the yard to wait their turn.jpg (194.07 KiB) Viewed 2544 times

8-13-17 The 487 heads out of the yard.jpg (175.97 KiB) Viewed 2544 times

[Sharon Evans]

Arrival of train 215: 463 and 7 cars

8-13-17 The 463 brings a 7 car train 215 into Chama.jpg (172.79 KiB) Viewed 2545 times

The train is by the tipple and no sign of Frank waving.

8-13-17 The parlor Colorado is on the markers.jpg (181.41 KiB) Viewed 2545 times

8-13-17 The trip from Antonito is over_.jpg (196.78 KiB) Viewed 2545 times

I think I know why no Frank waving from the train, he had taken the bus down from Cumbres and was standing in North yard waving to the train as it passes.

[Frank Smith]

I was in the grassy area across from the fire house. I got the bus at Cumbres to go to the Chama Days Fair. They were folding up by the time I got there. So I came back and greeted the train.