10/7/17 Saturday Moonlight train and long double header

[Sharon Evans]

Morning preparations: It is in the upper 20's this morning in Chama.

10-7-17 463 comes out to be the road locomotive for today's train.jpg (194.97 KiB) Viewed 3735 times

10-7-17 463 comes over the pit for its morning cleaning.jpg (180.04 KiB) Viewed 3735 times

463 is now at the tank as 488, the helper for today, comes to the pit

10-7-17 463 is backing down to the coal dock as 488 takes on water.jpg (177.2 KiB) Viewed 3731 times

10-7-17 463 is taking on coal for its run to Antonito as 488 is stopped on the main waits its turn.jpg (138.76 KiB) Viewed 3727 times

488 is now taking on coal for its helper duties while 463 is headed into south yard

Waiting to see what is going to happen, 463 came out of south yard with 2 or 3 additional cars. Guess the questions now is, what is the limit of a K36 and K27 double header up the hill?

10-7-17 463 works to pull the 13 car train 216 into loading position.jpg (167.32 KiB) Viewed 3726 times

10-7-17 The 488 has now hooked onto the train and is so far forward he is at the tipple.jpg (185.86 KiB) Viewed 3723 times

10-7-17 As they wait for departure, the crew of both locomotives are oiling around.jpg (175.86 KiB) Viewed 3709 times

[Sharon Evans]

Departure of train 216: 488 helper to Cumbres Pass, 463 road locomotive to Antonito and 13 cars I am wondering if the front 3 cars are being prepositioned for the Moonlight train this evening which is aimed at Antonito folk with them being bused to Cumbres and take the train back with the stop in Osier for drinks, diner and entertainment. We are going to have to wait, but 488 may remain at Cumbres to take the Moonlight train east. With the CDoT cam at Cumbres acting so screwy, it will be the luck of the draw for us to see anything after 216 arrives there.

10-7-17 488 sounds its whistle for the departure of this 13 car train.jpg (188.06 KiB) Viewed 3700 times

10-7-17 488 and 463 are working hard to get this train moving.jpg (197.22 KiB) Viewed 3700 times

As they pass the tipple, the front 3 cars sure like they are deadheading

The parlor has not even passed the tipple as the 488 is clearing the yard

10-7-17 The parlor New Mexico is past the tipple and 488 is out of the yard.jpg (188.02 KiB) Viewed 3700 times

10-7-17 The parlor New Mexico is passing the speeder sheds.jpg (184.56 KiB) Viewed 3700 times

10-7-17 The parlor New Mexico rounding the curve and bet the 488 is on the bridge.jpg (186.43 KiB) Viewed 3700 times

[Bill Grierson]

It has been awhile since I have seen a 13 car passenger. I hope every seat is sold out. What a beautiful morning!

[Frank Smith]

Sharon, Friends, & Guests. I've got several video clips of a 13 car train last year.I upgraded to Parlor when I saw the humongus consist. We had 2 K-36's and wet track. There was a lot of slippage, but the only time we had to strain was getting the train started when we got stalled by sheep near Rancho Oso Prado. I would love to be aboard #216 today.

[Bill Grierson]

Frank,

I will be looking forward to your 'waving from the back' next season. Winter well!

Bill

[Sharon Evans]

Looks like I guessed correctly on the 488 and first 3 cars staying up there for the Moonlight train later. Since unable to see in detail, now wonder if they left the 463 up there and not the 488. That would make for a nice little train headed east, especially if the RGS caboose came over on 215 and was switched out at Cumbres.

10-7-17 Sometimes the messed up CDoT cam works in our favor, we see the 488 and 3 cars.jpg (169.11 KiB) Viewed 3664 times

[Sharon Evans]

Arrival of train 215: 489 and cars Sure is late this evening, must have done switching at Cumbres.

10-7-17 489 brings the 9 car train 215 into Chama and its headlight is still not working.jpg (185.9 KiB) Viewed 3611 times

10-7-17 489 comes up to the tipple with its train.jpg (181.16 KiB) Viewed 3611 times

The open gon is packed while the smoke from 489 obscures the south cam

10-7-17 The smoke is hanging so low its swirling around the end of the parlor.jpg (166 KiB) Viewed 3611 times

10-7-17 The 489 comes by the depot as the cleaning crew patiently waits.jpg (167.91 KiB) Viewed 3611 times

10-7-17 The train was barely stopped before people came down the steps.jpg (176.6 KiB) Viewed 3611 times