Sunday morning started much like Saturday. I laid in bed and reveled in the sounds of a steam railroad at work. I could really get used to the C&T serving as my alarm clock!

I headed over to the mall first thing this day. I hadn't had time on Saturday to look around and I'd also run out of time on my last trip to Chama. So, this was really my first chance to check the place out. I also had $80 worth of gift certificates my family gave me for Christmas! I came away with a denim C&T jacket. It's now my favorite article of clothing. I'm really diggin it.

I hit Carlatte's again for breakfast. This time a bagel hit the spot. I really like that place.

Next I headed into the yard and made what is becoming my usual tour, this time starting with 489 steaming in the yard and then heading to the north end by the tank. I hadn't been out to the "swamp" yet, so I moseyed on over there next to take a look. I believe this is the area where the Friends do work on rolling stock. Back in the Grande days the sheep dipping plant was located here. I was surprised by the amount of equipment stored back in this area. Most of it looked to be in pretty good shape.

Next I headed over to the new ash pit to grab a few pictures for my buddy Larry. As I did the light mist I was in turned into rain. So, I jogged around to the other side of the coal tipple to seek shelter. That tuned out to be a decent spot to see 489 making up the train. As soon as the rain let up I headed to one of my favorite spots; the oil rack. Back when Carlos Llamas was posting weekly photo updates of the line he used this spot and I really liked the vantage point. So, I tried it last summer during the 315 excursions and it instantly became one of my favorite locations.

Once 489 left the yard I chased her up the hill hitting the usual spots. After the second crossing I jumped ahead to Cresco because I hadn't been there yet and wanted to make sure I had time to find it and get set up. But, I goofed and missed the exit. By the time I realized it was too late. So, I went on to Coxo and picked out a good spot overlooking the pond and looking up at Windy Point. Then I waited.

And waited...

And waited........

Then it started to rain pretty hard and the wind kicked up. This was starting to remind me of Marine Corps training. The more miserable it was outside the better the odds were that we were going to head outside and "make use of it." So, I got my Marine Corps gortex jacket out of my truck since my new denim jacket was hardly waterproof. And, I put my ball cap over the video camera to keep dry.

Then, I waited some more.

It took about an hour before I heard the first chuffs as 489 struggled up the grade. As I figured she had problems in virtually the same spot as on Saturday. But, this time the train was in one piece. I got my long anticipated shot and then headed up the road to where she had come to a stop; right at the crossing. By the time I got there it was obvious why they stopped. Out of sand. One of the work trucks had pulled up along side and bags of sand where being passed up to Jeff (the Engineer) to dump into the sand dome. After several minutes they were on their way again.

I raced ahead up to Cumbres to get staged for my next shot at the old Highway 17 trestle. I JUST made it, too. Jeff was hauling butt up the hill. Next I headed down the east side of Cumbres to catch the train coming through Tanglefoot Curve. The pictures came out pretty well, but the video was a total loss due to heavy rain. Again!

My next photo stop (which turned out to be my last for this train) was just past mile marker 7 on HW 17. There's a turnoff there to a dirt road that heads around a small hill for a great view over Los Piņos valley. My thanks to Jay for telling me about this spot. I'd gotten ahead of the rain while driving over, but as I set up my gear it started to come down again. I managed to get some decent shots though. The train headed into the valley and out of sight. I set up my shot looking across the valley towards the line the train would soon be on and I waited. This was going to be a really cool shot.

And I waited...

After what seemed like more than enough time for the train to get to the end of the valley, make the loop, and return, I heard the locomotive blow down. I figured there was some minor delay and decided to wait some more. This was a really neat shot and I wanted to be sure and get it. Several chipmunks kept me company while I waited. And then the sun came out for the first time that day. After about 25 minutes I gave up and packed it in. I figured something must be seriously amiss. I headed east down the mountain and found the train sitting at the west end of the Los Piņos switch. Nothing appeared unusual at first glace except that several crewmen were walking around. Upon further study I noticed that 489 looked slightly askew of the ROW. Then it hit me. OH CRAP, SHE'S ON THE GROUND!

I jumped back in the truck and headed down to the access road out to the center of the valley. I parked well away from the C&T officials that were already there. I was very careful to stay out the way and not make a nuisance of myself as I snapped pictures. The crew was concerned of course, but not panicked or distraught. They handled the situation like the seasoned professionals they are. It was an honor to be there and watch them work. The cause of the accident is still under investigation at the time of this writing. But, from what I heard and could see for myself, it appears that the trailing truck on 489 began to come apart in the loop at the north end of the valley resulting in it derailing. The crew wasn't aware of this. When the derailed truck hit the west end of Los Piņos siding it got caught and pulled the locomotive off of the rails. All 8 drivers were grounded leaving only the lead truck still on the iron. A large piece of the frame that supported the trailing truck was on the ground near the engineers side of the cab.

After an hour I was told that 488 was being steamed up and would eventually head towards Los Piņos to lend a hand and/or retrieve the train. It was well past lunch time and my priorities started to shift that direction. Besides, there was nothing I could do to help out. After getting back to my truck I got word (from Ryan) that the bus sent to retrieve the passengers was full and they were asking for volunteers to help ferry people back to Chama. So, I got in line with the other volunteers and ended up taking a nice family back over the hill. Once there I headed over to Carlatte's and picked up a spectacular casadia; maybe the best I've ever had. I took it back to my room so I could check the forums about the derailment. I'd already decided that I wasn't going to post my pictures unless someone else had already broken the story. It turns out that the announcement had been made, so between bites of casadia I quickly edited and posted several pictures. I'm usually on the outside looking in on the railroad. To have the opportunity to help out my fellow railfans with information about our favorite railroad was quite a thrill.

My next mission was to get more info. So, I headed back toward the yard and found Jay sitting in his truck across the street. He informed me that 488 was going to go on a shakedown run but wasn't sure when. Soon it became obvious it wasn't going to happen anytime soon, so I headed back to my room to check in on the forums again and get a quick nap. I got back down to the yard about 2 hours later and 488 was near the depot. Ryan came and told me that Soni was getting train orders for the shakedown run. I went and got my truck just in time to catch 488 heading east. I captured some neat shots in the sunset light as we headed up to Lobato and back. The best part was that 488 didn't have her cinder catcher mounted on the stack. That doesn't happen often, so I'm quite happy with the unique shots.

When this final chase was over I grabbed some chow at Fosters again, packed my gear, and got some sleep.

489 is made ready to lead the east bound train

The unique double-spouted water tank

The "Swamp"

I believe the Friends of the C&T do some work on rolling stock back here

K37 492

More rolling stock

in the swamp

The new Ash Pit

489 as seen from under the coal tipple. I was hiding from the rain here.

Looking north from

the coal tipple

This is one of my favorite spots, the oil rack. You can get some great shots from here.

489 heads up the hil

The Narrows

Lobato Lake

Lobato Trestle

Looking east from

 the 2nd Crossing

The 2nd Crossing

Storming up the grade!

489 at the 2nd Crossing

The pond at Coxo. I've heard it called "Goose Lake" and Perry's Pond". I don't know what the official name is.

The shot that took

an hour to get

Re-sanding 489 at Coxo Crossing

On the move again

489 crossing the

old Highway 17

While watching Tanglefoot Curve the rain moved in again

The pictures here are pretty decent in my opinion. But the

heavy rain made the video footage unusable.

Here's the spot Jay sent me to

Here's the spot Jay sent me to,

looking the other direction

My camera set up and

waiting for a shot that

was not meant to be

I've got to get out to this spot again someday

Looking east from

the same spot

Several chipmunks kept me entertained while I waited for 489 to reappear

489 stopped in Los Piņos Valley

On closer inspection I noticed 489 is not lined up with the ROW. OH CRAP, SHE'S ON THE GOUND!

A different angle

Poor 489 on the ground. At least she was in very good hands!

The new track work looks great

All 8 drivers grounded

MP 325, directly across the valley from the tank

The locomotive and tender were at a ~15 degree angle

This is part of the truck frame that broke when she derailed

The motor car from the westbound train at Osier arrived to help

The tender remained

on the iron

You can clearly see where

the trailing truck was

dragging on the ballast

Soni and crew inspect

the ROW for clues

The bus from Chama arrives

Soni has orders-in-hand for the shakedown run to Lobato

Passing Juke's Tree

488 at the 1st crossing

Heading east

Approaching Lobato Lake

Approaching Lobato Lake

Lobato Lake in the setting sun

While waiting for 488 to return from Lobato this goose flew in and landed. It was a beautiful site and I truly wish I'd gotten it on film.

488 returning

Looking north towards

the Narrows

488 heading west

1st crossing

488 returns to the yard in the setting sun of a truly memorable day on the C&T!

The last standing D&RGW coal tipple at sunset in Chama Yard

DAY 2