Chama Steam VIII - 2009
October 17-25, 2009
Trip Report
Day 2 - Sunday
Closing Day - Sublette
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I was awakened by the sound of steam whistles, bells, and cars banging. I intentionally didn't set the alarm clock so this would happen. There's just no better way to start the day!
In the lobby of the hotel I met up with Sam Seiber whom I'd met on Opening Day in May. Sam was kind enough to explain to me how to get to Sublette, where I'd planned to spend the day. Barbara Hogan was kind enough to give me a map of the back roads of the railroad that Russ Sperry created and left with her for guys like me. I printed the same map for this trip, but left it at home. Thanks RUSS! And thanks Sam and Barbara. I only took 2 wrong turns getting out there and those were MY fault for second guessing the directions I was given. |
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The final regular train of the 2009 season is assembled in Chama |
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The new Parlour Car drumhead. VERY COOL! |
K36 488 |
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Last train heading out |
Sublette, NM |
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Looking west past water plug |
After finally figuring out where Sublette was I parked above the town at the end of the maintained road. Before I could unpack my cameras I heard the whistle of the westbound across the valley. So I grabbed my gear and ran down the road a few hundred yards to the town and was just barely able to catch the westbound train coming into town. 2 minutes later and I would've missed it. |
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Actually being in Sublette to watch a train arrive and take on water was a truly memorable experience. I've been wanting to do this for a long time. Funny story; I heard the Docent on the open air car say "Yes, there are forest service roads to get back here. Yes, that's what the guy with the camera must have done. But, I don't recommend trying that unless you know what you're doing." I just smiled and kept taking pictures. |
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Last regular westbound of the year heads to Osier and lunch |
Where did everyone go? It got REALLY quiet, really fast. |
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| After the westbound departed I headed back up the hill to my truck and lunch. At the time I didn't think I had enough time to drive to Osier and then back to Sublette to catch the eastbound. In hindsight, I probably could've made it. But, instead I ate some lunch and kicked back and enjoyed the quiet. Other than several hunters camped out nearby, I had the place to myself. I used the opportunity to take some pictures of me, the truck, and my wife's Thumper doll. As I mentioned before she made me take the thing with me since she couldn't come, so I included it in the pictures in an attempt to be witty. | ||||||||
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This is where I was "camped" for the day |
I ate, I relaxed, I soaked up the scenery and fresh air, I goofed off with the camera, then I headed back down to Sublette to photograph all of the buildings. I hope these pictures are of some use in the modeling community. |
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The area is quite isolated and very beautiful |
Hatch covering the cistern |
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The cistern supplies the water plug |
Looking east through the town site, the cistern is on the hill to the left |
Looking west towards Osier |
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West side of Section House |
South side of Coal Bunker and Popcar Shed |
South side of Section House |
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South side of Section House |
East side of Section House |
Sublette Sign |
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Looking west from the Section House |
North side of log Bunk House |
The Friends of the C&T have painted the plywood covers over the windows to make it more appealing. On my first visit I did a double take from the train. Standing back 30 feet this is pretty convincing |
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Front door of Section House I assume the popcar crews have hung hats here that they've found on the ROW |
East and north sides of Bunk Houses |
East and south sides of Bunk House |
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Looking south from the Section House |
MOW hoppers stored on the east end of the siding |
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Looking west from the east end of yard |
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Looking east from the east end of yard |
Looking west from east end of yard. This gives a good example of how the RR looked before and after the new ballast |
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Looking east through the yard |
Bunk House <- -> Section House |
Popcar #104 stored in siding |
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Rear and trailer of #104 |
#101 |
Rear and trailer of #101 |
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East and North sides of the Coal Bunker |
West side of Coal Bunker |
South side of Coal Bunker |
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South and east sides of the Coal Bunker |
Back west side of the Section House |
South and east sides of the Popcar Shed |
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West and south sides of the Popcar Shed. South side of the Coal Bunker West side of the Section House |
West side of Popcar Shed |
North side of Popcar Shed |
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Movie poster on front door of Popcar Shed. I'm really curious about the story here. I bet it's a good one. |
Everyone else did it... so I did too.
"JKR" "10-09" |
The last time I waited in a remote spot for a C&T train to arrive I found out that it had derailed. The wait this day was about 45 minutes longer than I thought it would be. So, when I finally heard the whistle for the station shatter the peace and quiet I was very relieved. Eastbound train arriving in Sublette. |
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Engineer Jeff Stebbins |
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Last regular train of the season departs Sublette for Antonito |
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Heading east |
Looking through Popcar 101 towards west end of the yard |
You can just barely see the eastbound train across the valley |
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Here are some shots through the windshield on the drive back to Highway 17 |
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I got back to Chama in time to catch 487 doing some switching moves |
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Done for the day The night hostler will take over soon |
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483 and the boiler from 463 |
Inside of 463's boiler |
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K36 484 |
I'm really diggin the drop-bottom gons sitting on the raised delivery track at the tipple. Whoever made that happen deserves a medal! |
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And thus ended another fantastic day in Narrow Gauge Country. I got dinner at Fosters again. Beware the red chilis. They're really tasty, but a bit warm.... and I know all about hot stuff, I'm from Texas!
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| DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5 | DAY 6 | DAY 7 | DAY 8 | DAY 9 |
