12/16/17 Saturday and Christmas trains

[Sharon Evans]

Morning preparations:

12-16-17 487 is simmering at the house and the tree glows by the cars.jpg (103.89 KiB) Viewed 6120 times

12-16-17 487 moves out to begin its day.jpg (197.01 KiB) Viewed 6030 times

12-16-17 487 is at the ash pit getting its fire cleaned.jpg (167.34 KiB) Viewed 6030 times

12-16-17 487 now has its cisturn topped off before the first run.jpg (200.54 KiB) Viewed 6030 times

12-16-17 487 is backing toward the train.jpg (200.75 KiB) Viewed 6030 times

12-16-17 487 is coupled onto its train.jpg (216.69 KiB) Viewed 6030 times

12-16-17 The train has been shoved back to the depot.jpg (210.61 KiB) Viewed 6030 times

12-16-17 Then pulled forward into a loading position.jpg (221.42 KiB) Viewed 6030 times

[Sharon Evans]

Christmas train runs:

12-16-17 With nice steam effects in the cold air, 487 gets the first train underway.jpg (225.23 KiB) Viewed 6024 times

12-16-17 487 is by the wood shop as it heads to Labato with a nice load.jpg (223.47 KiB) Viewed 6024 times

Passing the tipple we can see the full coaches

12-16-17 The conductor is checking the air after the running brake test is signalled.jpg (221.59 KiB) Viewed 6023 times

12-16-17 Leaving the yard with Christmas train number 1.jpg (215.53 KiB) Viewed 6023 times

[Rick Calkins]

More early morning action of the engine house, but a bit closer.
Makes nice comparison with Sharon's earlier posting. She shows full view..

This video clip taken from pole atop restroom looking north during the same time period as above shot.
The steam promotes a very surreal appearance to the objects in the picture. Disappointed that there is minimal sound.

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[Mike Maguire]

It's curious that they've blocked the crossing ...

[Sharon Evans]

That is where they left them yesterday afternoon, I wondered that at the time. They are either going to have to move them now or 487 will run through north yard to get to the coal dock, the switch is fouled.

[Larry Gibson]

Antonito is guiet but we may have a passenger heading for Chama!!

[Larry Gibson]

Santa on the platform!

[Larry Gibson]

Mrs Claus is out and about too.

[Mike Maguire]

The train has moved back, clear of the crossing ...

[Rick Calkins]

Great to see the posting from Larry and Mike. They certainly catch action I miss. This is the Video of the first Chama Christmas Train of 2017. You will notice that there are several interruptions caused by the stop action of the camera, and the need to restart one camera and then the north camera. There is no alternative since we are subject to the coding placed by the webmaster.

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[Sharon Evans]

12-16-17 The first run is shoving back into Chama with the jolly couple on the back waving.jpg (172.06 KiB) Viewed 6045 times

[Rick Calkins]

The 2014 Chama Christmas Train had an open viewing gondola. Did not see one on the seven car train today.

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[Sharon Evans]

12-16-17 487 gets the second trainload of happy people underway.jpg (177.4 KiB) Viewed 6039 times

12-16-17 Riders on the back of the cafe car as train 2 heads out of Chama.jpg (166.59 KiB) Viewed 6039 times

[Larry Gibson]

I've been away for a bit but it seems like more smoke at engine house???

[Sharon Evans]

Smoke from the heaters which is laying down on the ground, no 463 is not getting hot.

[Sharon Evans]

12-16-17 Second train shoves back into Chama with Santa waving.jpg (169.81 KiB) Viewed 6020 times

12-16-17 The third train pulls out of Chama with the sun almost directly behind it.jpg (174.73 KiB) Viewed 6009 times

12-16-17 The cafe car platform is totally empty as the third train leaves.jpg (170.87 KiB) Viewed 6009 times

From the return of the third train we will be dealing with the sun glint off the rails and other reflective objects.

If you look closely, the conductor is shielding his eyes from the glare

12-16-17 The third train shoves back in and no Santa on the cafe platform.jpg (167.31 KiB) Viewed 6000 times

In the spirit of full disclosure, I think he was just inside the door.

12-16-17 The third train is at the depot and winter pm glint is in full swing.jpg (185.27 KiB) Viewed 6000 times

12-16-17 The fourth train stops at the tank to fill up.jpg (164.88 KiB) Viewed 5996 times

12-16-17 As the 4th train gets underway again, we see a family and the conductor on the rear platform.jpg (172.57 KiB) Viewed 5995 times

12-16-17 The sun is getting low in the Chama sky as the 4th train returns with a full cafe platform.jpg (160.4 KiB) Viewed 5987 times

12-16-17 The 4th train is at the depot.jpg (137.73 KiB) Viewed 5987 times

[Mike Maguire]

Interesting flare effects in the south camera lens ...

[Sharon Evans]

12-16-17 The 5th and final train of the day departs Chama.jpg (140.82 KiB) Viewed 5981 times

12-16-17 Again the cafe platform is empty on the 5th train.jpg (159.64 KiB) Viewed 5981 times

[Larry Gibson]

Not Rudolf the Reiendeer but Santa riding above the blinking red lighting on the concession car platform to complete the day.

[Larry Gibson]

Last pictures with Santa at the depot! Fun for children of all ages!

[Sharon Evans]

12-16-17 The 5th train is at the depot.jpg (146.41 KiB) Viewed 5961 times

12-16-17 487 has pulled the cars forward where they will spend the night.jpg (112.3 KiB) Viewed 5961 times

12-16-17 After a long day 487 is back at the house.jpg (110.56 KiB) Viewed 5961 times