8/27/17 Sunday and 315 again

[Sharon Evans]

Well, 315 has to be in Antonito tomorrow for the turn to Osier so it will go through today. That turn yesterday fooled me as I thought it was going all the way.
Morning Preparations: Looks like the 488 is getting the call again today.

8-27-17 315 is out at the pit to begin its day.jpg (222.8 KiB) Viewed 4528 times

8-27-17 315 backs down the main as it heads to the coal dock.jpg (188.76 KiB) Viewed 4526 times

8-27-17 The smoke box on the 315 glows in the early sun.jpg (208.23 KiB) Viewed 4526 times

8-27-17 The 315 gets the coal it needs for the run to Antonito.jpg (217.59 KiB) Viewed 4524 times

8-27-17 The 488 comes out from the house.jpg (197.64 KiB) Viewed 4523 times

8-27-17 The 488 is at the pit as the 315 has backed out of the coal dock lead.jpg (191.47 KiB) Viewed 4523 times

8-27-17 You can't see a whole lot, but 315 has coupled onto its train.jpg (120.82 KiB) Viewed 4522 times

8-27-17 The 488 backs down the main on its way to the coal dock.jpg (182.55 KiB) Viewed 4515 times

8-27-17 The 488 pulls by the wood shop with Frank standing there.jpg (208.67 KiB) Viewed 4515 times

8-27-17 The loader add coal to the tender of 488.jpg (215.05 KiB) Viewed 4513 times

8-27-17 Tracy is on the road crew today and is washing down his charge.jpg (194.04 KiB) Viewed 4513 times

[Frank Smith]

Sharon, in case any one was wondering why we came in with the same engine #488 we left with yesterday. They turned both engines at the balloon track at Osier, and sent #487 back to Antonio with the other train. #487 seems to have the tri-valve problems with that one train set going down hill. It was a confusing mess doing all of that switching with 300 tourists all out in front of the Osier lunchroom all trying to get pictures. As usual our magnificent train crews handled the situation with superb skill.
There is 2 articles on C&TSRR in Trains Magazine this month. One on our trains having to dodge sheep. Cows on the track every day now. The other on the restoration in Antonio.
Something different has happened on every one of my 80 trips the last 2 years. That is why I love this train. Superb equipment. + Superb crew. = superb ride.

[Frank Smith]

Well, 315 has to be in Antonito tomorrow for the turn to Osier so it will go through today. That turn yesterday fooled me as I thought it was going all the way.
Morning Preparations:

My bad Sharon. I knew that when I posted yesterday and I failed to mention it.

[Sharon Evans]

Its ok Frank, the return was covered by Rick so we have it documented. As far as the locomotive swap at Osier, the crews ought to have that one done pat from the many times it was done last year with the 463. I rode a 215 where it was done.

Looks like the 315 and its train will leave today ahead of the 216.

[Sharon Evans]

Morning preparations continued and departure of extra 315 east: C18 315, 2 coaches, open gon and caboose

8-27-17 Under a haze of smoke from 488, the 315 gets its train moving out of south yard.jpg (206.38 KiB) Viewed 4506 times

8-27-17 315 is coming by the wood shop with its train.jpg (167.58 KiB) Viewed 4506 times

As the 315 and its train pass the tipple, we see a number of lucky riders headed out

8-27-17 The caboose is passing the waiting 488.jpg (180.06 KiB) Viewed 4505 times

8-27-17 The 315 and its train are exiting north yard as 488 puts out a smoke screen.jpg (127.7 KiB) Viewed 4505 times

8-27-17 The hostlers have left the 488 in Tracy's charge until the rest of the raod crew arrive.jpg (197.94 KiB) Viewed 4504 times

8-27-17 The 488 has backed onto the train.jpg (127.33 KiB) Viewed 4503 times

8-27-17 Today's 216 is now in loading position, from south tipple cam.jpg (222.81 KiB) Viewed 4503 times

8-27-17 Today's 216 is now in loading position, from depot cam.jpg (140.92 KiB) Viewed 4503 times

[Sharon Evans]

Departure of train 216: 488 and 7 cars

8-27-17 High ball given, Ray climbs about the parlor_.jpg (151.28 KiB) Viewed 4479 times

8-27-17 488 gets the 7 car train 216 moving out of Chama.jpg (215.46 KiB) Viewed 4479 times

8-27-17 488 passes the wood shop under a plumb of grayish smoke.jpg (198.68 KiB) Viewed 4479 times

8-27-17 488 emergies from behind the tipple blowing for the running brake test.jpg (161.03 KiB) Viewed 4479 times

The train passes the tipple

8-27-17 Frank gives us a wave from the cafe car.jpg (168.58 KiB) Viewed 4478 times

8-27-17 A passenger on the platform of the New Mexico also gives a wave.jpg (175.5 KiB) Viewed 4478 times

8-27-17 The train is clearing north yard on its way to Antonito.jpg (189.48 KiB) Viewed 4478 times

[Frank Smith]

I won't be posting tomorrow Sharon & friends, as I will be on the 315 photo train. I hope to see some of you there.

[Sharon Evans]

Sure you will Frank, just once you get back to Chama and tells us how great it was, have fun and we will be thinking of you.

[Sharon Evans]

8-27-17 The 215 at Cumbres.jpg (196.69 KiB) Viewed 4438 times

[Sharon Evans]

Arrival of train 215: 489 and 7 cars see Frank's post below.
487 just came into Chama light engine. Now going to be interesting to see if 484 is on the train since 488 should have gone through. I had a report that the piston rings were almost done last week.

8-27-17 The 487 comes into Chama light engine.jpg (174.42 KiB) Viewed 4422 times

487 went straight to the wye. Don't know who the engineer is, but really putting on the whistle show at the wye. Back from the wye, the crew briefly stopped at the depot to pick up the hostlers and took off again for north yard. The 215 must be close so they want to get out of the way.

8-27-17 The 489 brings a 7 car 215 into Chama.jpg (164.58 KiB) Viewed 4392 times

8-27-17 The 489 comes up to the tipple.jpg (155.47 KiB) Viewed 4392 times

The train is passing the tipple and don't see Frank in the open gon

8-27-17 There is Frank, in the cafe car instead of the open gon.jpg (158.16 KiB) Viewed 4373 times

No this is the same person who was waving this morning from the parlor platform

8-27-17 I saw waving from the tourest car, so maybe he is there. Parlor Colorado is on the markers.jpg (185.11 KiB) Viewed 4392 times

8-27-17 The 489 comes by the depot.jpg (156.09 KiB) Viewed 4392 times

8-27-17 The train is stopped fun over.jpg (148.87 KiB) Viewed 4392 times

[Frank Smith]

For some reason we switched engines at Cumbres.

[Sharon Evans]

That explains it. 489 ran up to Cumbres earlier to bring the train down the hill while 487 came in light. Has to do, no doubt, with 487's air brake issues.