11/14/2022 A very rare sight

[Jack Spencer]

Once again we have a hot loco this morning, but unusually, smoke is coming from the east jack, which is very rare as another locomotive is blocking the front of the west stall. I think 484 is the only locomotive still with tender so it's the one firing up at present. The fact that the diesel is still out of commission down in Antonito allows us to still see active steam this deep into the off season, so let's enjoy it while we can.

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484 has shown her face and moves the locomotive that was in front of the west stall (I think its 487) to the east side.

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Once 487 was safe and snug inside the east stall, 484 came back out to have its fire cleaned as the snow starts to come down.

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[Jack Spencer]

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After standing idle for about 10 minutes, 484 pulls out a very lengthy string of freight cars plus the San Luis.

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This rake is so long that 484 was almost at the Chama throat by the time they had stopped.

In the end, all that happened was the concessions car was detached and the rest of the consist was shunted back into the south yard.

[Sharon Evans]

Well, once all the switching was completed, 484 and a short train of mostly freight cars headed east out of Chama. The train made a brief stop by the coaling tower which I think was to add coal to 484 since I had seen a loader cross the track prior to the train moving forward from the station. Now are they headed all the way to Antonito or just to Cumbres to leave the cars for 19 to pick up, only time will tell.