11-19-14 Yard Happenings

[Larry Sullivan]

For the first time we now have some very white heavy steam from the shop stacks --- perhaps 489 is near to an appearance.

[Sharon Evans]

I wonder if the hospital train will just be the 3 coaches in front of the station?

[Sharon Evans]

Looks like the steam and smoke are now behind the engine house.

[Sharon Evans]

She is out the front door!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sharon Evans]

Ah, the sounds of a live steam engine.

[Larry Sullivan]

Finally rewarded with some great steam views! I'll be uploading vids of all the moves as I can this morning! Looks like first job is picking up 463 and moving.

[Jason Rose]

"Boots-on-the-Ground" in Chama are reporting that 489 will take a short train to Cumbres and return today. The Hospital Train is scheduled for tomorrow.

Today is a good day to be a railroader on the C&T. No passengers to worry about as they take a train up the hill through some spectacular winter scenery. What a job...

[Larry Sullivan]

Now moving for coal perhaps. Surprised they didn't stop at the ashpit.

[Larry Sullivan]

"Boots-on-the-Ground" in Chama are reporting that 489 will take a short train to Cumbres and return today. The Hospital Train is scheduled for tomorrow.

Today is a good day to be a railroader on the C&T. No passengers to worry about as they take a train up the hill through some spectacular winter scenery. What a job...

And we all wish we were there!!!! Thanks for the updates Jason.

[Sharon Evans]

Since they shoved 463 into the engine house, will it be steamed up for the run tomorrow. Just wondered since it still has tender attached. Also are we seeing with the short train today, doubling the hill so they can take a longer train down the other side.

[Larry Sullivan]

Since they shoved 463 into the engine house, will it be steamed up for the run tomorrow. Just wondered since it still has tender attached.

It's funny, I was having those same thoughts last week when I heard about the coaling of 489 -- would be fantastic to have a doubleheader out tomorrow -- somehow I doubt it, but perhaps our "boots on the ground" could find out!

[Larry Sullivan]

Couple of videos of the morning --
#1 - 489 emerges from the engine house, hooks up to #463 and brings it over to the engine house.

#2 - 489 Brings and equipment flat into the roundhouse.

[Sharon Evans]

The 489 is behind the engine house now. Wonder if done for a while since they topped the coal off?

[Sharon Evans]

Nope its out again and they are also using the heavy forklift to shove the tender that was furthest from the camera back close to the other one. Also it looks like 489 has 463's tender pushing it to where the other one was for emptying.

[Larry Gibson]

Great coverage Larry!! Keep building the archive!!:) Looks like a "doubling the hill" ala D&RGW operating era in the works!

[Larry Sullivan]

Sharon I think we just had your question answered about using 463 tomorrow -- looks like the tender is now where the other one was.

[Sharon Evans]

Yep, I noticed that. Also the 489 is back at the engine house.

[Larry Sullivan]

Yep, I noticed that. Also the 489 is back at the engine house.

Guessing here - but perhaps going to pull out the tenderless 463 and re-spot it where it was.

[Edwin Frey]

I suspect that they're filling the tender tank. I think they've drained the water tank in anticipation of its freezing up with the near 0º temps that they've been getting at night for he past several days. Larry, I guess you got it right, since now they're moving the tenderless #463 back in front of the roundhouse.

[Larry Sullivan]

I suspect that they're filling the tender tank. I think they've drained the water tank in anticipation of its freezing up with the near 0º temps that they've been getting at night for he past several days.

Good point Edwin, thanks for that reminder!

[jonathan c45]

489 @ the ash pit do u think the train will leave soon

[Larry Sullivan]

#3 - After delivering the equipment flat inside the roundhouse, 489 moves past the water tank and over to the coaling dock. Had to pause a bit possibly for a stuck switch

#4 - Freeing the switch 489 now moves to the coaling dock and takes on some coal.

#5 - After filler the tender with coal, 489 now moves back behind the shop.

[Sharon Evans]

Well if the 489 pulls ahead to the tank and fills up, would be a good guess that train time is coming.

[jonathan c45]

Well if the 489 pulls ahead to the tank and fills up, would be a good guess that train time is coming.

shes going in

[Sharon Evans]

Yep, back in the house. We will have to see if that it or its headed up the hill after lunch. I also noticed someone in a red jacket filming.

[jonathan c45]

Yep, back in the house. We will have to see if that it or its headed up the hill after lunch. I also noticed someone in a red jacket filming.

yeah i saw that too i just heard she is going to go at 11:40am

[John Hamman]

I guess the 463 is not going to be on the hospital train since it has been spotted tender-less in front of the roundhouse.

[Sharon Evans]

Yep, back in the house. We will have to see if that it or its headed up the hill after lunch. I also noticed someone in a red jacket filming.

yeah i saw that too i just heard she is going to go at 11:40am

Well considering its 1040 now they need to get a move on. I also wonder since the pops kept going off, are they trying to adjust them before the run. Move add, there are some people working around some cars on the right hand yard track. These are the 2 box cars and the gon the 15 worked on getting in the front yesterday.

[Larry Sullivan]

#6 - 489 now re-emerges with 463's tender in tow, spots the tender for coal unloading later.

#7 - 489 now back at the shop pulls the now tender-less 463 back and spots it in front of the roundhouse.

#8 - After the morning of moves, 489 gets cleaned out at the ash pit, then moves back into the shop.


Catches up the morning activities -- perhaps more later, and will post if there is more activity.

[Sharon Evans]

Its back out of the engine house and getting water.

[Sharon Evans]

Train is together and looks like he is getting ready to leave.

[Jason Rose]

That was sweet!

Larry S, I hope you got that. Snow-covered box cars headin' up the hill. Sure wish I was there!

[Sharon Evans]

Well worth the time of sitting here watching. I will be working tomorrow when the second train goes but look forward to the videos when I get home.

[Ronald Lewis]

What time is the Hospital Train scheduled to leave Chama on the 20th?

[Larry Sullivan]

Well worth the time of sitting here watching. I will be working tomorrow when the second train goes but look forward to the videos when I get home.

Thanks for all your help covering things this morning Sharon! I'll be around in the morning, so if they go then (I would expect around 10am or so - again, pure guess, could be later), so should have video for you!

[Larry Sullivan]

That was sweet!

Larry S, I hope you got that. Snow-covered box cars headin' up the hill. Sure wish I was there!

Absolutely!!! Videos are uploading now will be posted shortly -- takes forever for the uploads to get done, sorry it takes so long.

[Jason Rose]

Thanks Larry. You da man!

[Larry Sullivan]

#9 - 489 re-emerges from the shop, heads down for water then to hook up with today's extra train.

[Larry Gibson]

Thanks again Larry! Tremendous coverage !!

What a great contrast: white snow and black smoke with a mountain backdrop.

A huge thanks for all who installed and now maintain the "Eye on Chama" too!

[Sharon Evans]

Well worth the time of sitting here watching. I will be working tomorrow when the second train goes but look forward to the videos when I get home.

Thanks for all your help covering things this morning Sharon! I'll be around in the morning, so if they go then (I would expect around 10am or so - again, pure guess, could be later), so should have video for you!

Thanks Larry will be looking when I get home.

[Farol Henkle]

Snow, Steam & Soot! What a Swell combination! Thank you for posting the videos.