5/26/2018 Opening Day 2018 season

[Sharon Evans]

Morning preparations:

2018-05-25 Opening day dawns bright with golden light on the trees

2018-05-26 487 is at the pit to begin its day as 484 waits its turn.jpg (90.5 KiB) Viewed 2749 times

2018-05-26 487 is headed in to the coal dock as 484 takes water

2018-05-26 487 is taking on coal as 484 is at the house lead switch (1 of 1).jpg (97.07 KiB) Viewed 2784 times

2018-05-26 484 has stopped on the main as 487 finishes at the coal dock.jpg (96.25 KiB) Viewed 2784 times

2018-05-26 484 comes by the wood shop as 487 waits on its road crew.jpg (95.63 KiB) Viewed 2781 times

2018-05-26 Coal dust billows as 484 gets its bunker filled.jpg (105.7 KiB) Viewed 2781 times

One of the 484's road crew walks up to the cab

2018-05-26 484 has pulled forward on the main to await the train getting into load position.jpg (102.7 KiB) Viewed 2777 times

2018-05-26 487 has shoved the 2 estra coaches back to the consist.jpg (72.22 KiB) Viewed 2768 times

2018-05-26 484 has coupled onto train 216 before its moved forward into load position.jpg (99.73 KiB) Viewed 2767 times

[Sharon Evans]

Departure of train 216, 484 helper to Cumbres Pass, 487 as road locomotive to Antonito and 10 cars:

2018-05-26 The first bus to Antonito leaves Chama.jpg (91.33 KiB) Viewed 2752 times

2018-05-26 Train 216 is now in loading position.jpg (98.55 KiB) Viewed 2749 times

2018-05-26 The parlor New Mexico is just visible.jpg (71.5 KiB) Viewed 2749 times

2018-05-26 484 and 487 work to get the 10 car train 216 moving.jpg (95.81 KiB) Viewed 2718 times

2018-05-26 484 and 487 bring the train by the wood shop.jpg (96.35 KiB) Viewed 2718 times

2018-05-26 The train is passing the tipple as 484 blows for the running brake teat

2018-05-26 The parlor New Mexico is by the tipple.jpg (99.3 KiB) Viewed 2718 times

2018-05-26 The locomotives are leaving the yard as the parlor is passing the tank.jpg (96.52 KiB) Viewed 2718 times

2018-05-26 The parlor is rounding the curve north of the yard.jpg (97.99 KiB) Viewed 2718 times

2018-05-26 484 is back in Chama from helper duty.jpg (92.63 KiB) Viewed 2661 times

[Ed Horan]

Sharon, i counted 10 cars. Not a bad start for the season!

[Ryan Morris]

Here are a couple shots from my end. I also counted 10 cars.

[Sharon Evans]

My initial miscount was due to there being 8 cars south of the crossing to the house and 2 north of it.

[Robert Brigham]

It is a good start to the season - I noticed 328 folks online watching the departure on the South Tipple camera (and THANK YOU Jason for making the trip to get that camera going!).

[Sharon Evans]

Look to the right of the rear bus

2018-05-26 Not sure but that could be John Cole standing on Rt. 17.jpg (94.85 KiB) Viewed 2652 times

I have spoken to John Cole, he is at Cumbres to ride tonight's dinner train back to Antonito, and we figure that 215 will probably be at the pass for 15 -20 minutes today so it can switch out the cars needed for tonight. He says that there are already 4 coaches sitting up there. Cumbres will be the proverbial mad house this afternoon with all the people who are gathered to watch as well as ride the dinner train back east. John said that there were a fair number of people on 215 who were getting off at the pass for the dinner train as well as those who came up by bus. Would not expect 215 into Chama until after 5pm MDT.
Arrival of train 215: Just got another report from John, coach Cresco has developed a hot box approaching the summit and had to be cut out of train 215 so more delay as they had to split the train, that explains why those cars were on the road crossing, and once back together, pump up the air and run a standing brake test. Don't expect now before 5:30 at earliest in Chama.

2018-05-26 You can see the last 2 cars of train 215 over top of the buses.jpg (95.41 KiB) Viewed 2640 times

2018-05-26 Switching continues at the pass as the back 4 cars of 215 sit on the highway crossing.jpg (99.01 KiB) Viewed 2637 times

2018-05-26 The headlight of 463 shines out as it rounds the curve north of the yard (1 of 1).jpg (93.29 KiB) Viewed 2599 times

2018-05-26 The 463 brings its 8 car train up to the tipple (1 of 1).jpg (90.76 KiB) Viewed 2599 times

2018-05-26 The trains passes the tipple

2018-05-26 The trainman is on the steps of the parlor Colorado.jpg (99.82 KiB) Viewed 2598 times

2018-05-26 The 463 approaches the depot with its train as the cleaning crew waits.jpg (66.65 KiB) Viewed 2598 times

2018-05-26 The 463 is almost stopped.jpg (65.69 KiB) Viewed 2598 times

2018-05-26 The happy, first day passengers, get off the train.jpg (64.96 KiB) Viewed 2598 times

[Rick Calkins]

Sharon:
I have spoken to John Cole, he is at Cumbres to ride tonight's dinner train back to Antonito, and we figure that 215 will probably be at the pass for 15 -20 minutes today so it can switch out the cars needed for tonight. He says that there are already 4 coaches sitting up there. Cumbres will be the proverbial mad house this afternoon with all the people who are gathered to watch as well as ride the dinner train back east. John said that there were a fair number of people on 215 who were getting off at the pass for the dinner train as well as those who came up by bus. Would not expect 215 into Chama until after 5pm MDT.
Arrival of train 215: Just got another report from John, coach Cresco has developed a hot box approaching the summit and had to be cut out of train 215 so more delay as they had to split the train, that explains why those cars were on the road crossing, and once back together, pump up the air and run a standing brake test. Don't expect now before 5:30 at earliest in Chama.

Thanks for the report. Sounds like opening day, also appears that your dinner will be late and cold. Goood Job.

[Sharon Evans]

Thanks Rick, but as soon as I knew it was going to be this late, I ate while it was coming down the hill. I am glad for John Cole and his calls to me for updates on what was going on.

2018-05-26 The Cresco sits at Cumbres getting repaired, we hope.jpg (92.15 KiB) Viewed 2590 times

[Jason Rose]

It is a good start to the season - I noticed 328 folks online watching the departure on the South Tipple camera (and THANK YOU Jason for making the trip to get that camera going!).

My pleasure. But don't forget John Engs and Steve Forney. Without John's help, I wouldn't have had all the parts on hand. This is definitely a team effort.

[Paul Davenport]

Sharon,
Many thanks for posting the photos and the video. I had to work today and couldn't watch the cameras live on this special occasion.
Paul

[Sharon Evans]

Your are welcome Paul

[Rick Calkins]

A Full Day Riding The C&TSR Railroad