10/20/2019 Final day of the 2019 season

[Jack Spencer]

Well, here we are folks: the final day of the 2019 season at the Cumbres and Toltec.
It only seems like yesterday when opening day took place. To be honest, although this season hasn't been as exciting as last year, it's still been pretty good. Mainly because we've basically missed half of the season due to many equipment malfunctions.
Well, we had an unusual double header on opening day, snow in the early stages, double headers, dinner trains, the OY move, a wedding train, Goose 5 visiting, 483 having her tender reunited, the triple header yesterday, student freights, the one day 315 charter, the geology and botany trains and I'm sure I might have forgotten something.
Ah well, let's think positive. Looks like we might have a double header to end the season.

[Sharon Evans]

Double header it is and looks like 489, the 1472 girl, doing the road locomotive honours with 484 as helper. This could mean 489 will come back with the hospital train from Antonito.

[Jack Spencer]

Definitely looks like 489 will be road engine one last time on the final day.

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For me, it makes no sense for 489 to winter in Antonito. Hardly do engines undergo their 1472s there and 489 is taking part in the OY charter which is commencing in Chama.

[Sharon Evans]

It would be a major feat for the shop crew to do a 1472 on 489 by the time of the OY charter, it usually takes a year to complete. Maybe both locomotives are going through with 489 bringing the OY back since it will need the mechanics checked before the charter and 484 overwintering there.

What a great ending to a wonderful C&TS season, a train with 6 almost full coaches as well as full premium cars.

[Jack Spencer]

It would be a major feat for the shop crew to do a 1472 on 489 by the time of the OY charter, it usually takes a year to complete. Maybe both locomotives are going through with 489 bringing the OY back since it will need the mechanics checked before the charter and 484 overwintering there.

That would make sense, Sharon. I was wondering how on earth OY would be able to get back from Antonito.

[Sharon Evans]

Jack, the railroad runs "hospital trains" after the season to get cars where they need to be for the winter. Now whether OY would be part of a "hospital train" is another matter.

[Jack Spencer]

Sorry for the poor shots, but here is the final Train 216 departure: 484 helper, 489 road engine and 10 cars

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Unless OY were to be attached at the rear, there would be no way it would be able to be transferred on a hospital train as it has no front coupler.

[Sharon Evans]

All bets off, 484 just returned to Chama so 489 went through.

484 returns from its last helper duty of the season

484 returns from its last helper duty of the season by the woodshop

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