Chama Steam VIII - 2009
October 17-25, 2009
Trip Report
Day 5 - Wednesday
Santa Fe - Chili Line - Antonito
Cumbres Pass - SNOW
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On Wednesday I intended to sleep in a bit since I didn't have to be in Santa Fe until noon to retrieve my truck from the Ford dealer. However, about 0800 I heard bells and whistles in the yard. So, I got up and got some grub at Carlatte's (my favorite restaurant in Chama) and proceeded to the yard to see what was up. The crew was busy moving coaches around with 488. Some were being stored, some were being spotted on the west side of the engine house. I was told that Chama will be doing some car repair work this winter since the Antonito shops have their hands full with other projects.
I was the only railfan in the yard this morning. Heck, I may have been the only non-local railfan in all of Chama. So, I had an easy time staging shots with no one in the way. I spent several hours watching the guys work and soaking up the atmosphere of a working steam railroad. This was truly a special morning and I enjoyed the heck out of it.
Before stopping for "beans" the crew finished with the passenger equipment and began moving/staging freight equipment in preparation for Saturday's excursion. They took their break about an hour before I had to head down to Santa Fe. So, I headed back to Carlatte's for one of their rockin' quesadillas and some coffee (to thaw out). I ate and quickly edited some of the pictures I'd just taken and posted them on the Goat. Then it was off to Santa Fe. |
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488 was doing the work this morning. I'm not sure when 488 came back over the hill from Antonito after taking the east bound on Sunday. I didn't realize this at the time or I would've asked someone. |
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Another artistic attempt |
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487 was also hot this morning |
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This is my favorite shot from the whole 9 day trip |
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This could be the 1950's except for Allen's attire... and the fact that Allen isn't that old |
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487 in front of the engine house |
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Moving the cabeese and rider gon into place for the freight special on Saturday |
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The "potty" car |
The crew tied down 488 and headed for "beans" |
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The Ford dealer was happy to hand over my truck keys after I cut them a check for $1,008. OUCH! But, at least the old gal is road-worthy again and I was out of that dinky rental car. To celebrate having my truck back I made a pit stop at Starbucks on the way out of town. At Espaņola I decided to take the road less traveled and headed up to Antonito, CO (not directly back to Chama). The highway generally parallels the old Rio Grande Santa Fe Branch, known as the famous "Chili Line." The sky was overcast but not threatening and the weather report on the radio said nothing about snow or rain.
The radio was wrong.
About 5 miles south of Tres Piedras I hit snow. It was just light stuff at first, but after a photo stop at the Tres Piedras tank the snow got heavier, but not substantial. I fully expected it to stop before I got to Antonito, but to my surprise it was still snowing when I got there. I didn't waste time getting pictures!
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Tres Piedras Tank |
Heading north to Antonito |
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Antonito Depot |
K37 494 |
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Friends of the C&T CRF |
Tie train with #19 (the "Pineapple") in the lead |
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Antonito Tank |
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This is just cool looking |
K37 495 |
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The famous "End of Standard Gauge" sign |
West end of Antonito Yard |
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I really like this shot |
After getting my pictures I headed west over La Manga Pass to Chama through a winter wonderland that this south Texas boy is NOT used to seeing or driving in. I thoroughly enjoyed myself!! |
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Los Piņos Tank at twilight |
Cumbres Pass Section House |
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Car Inspectors House |
West leg of the Cumbres Pass |
Dark fell FAST |
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My good ol' truck at the pass. It was nice and warm in the cab and I needed it after walking around in that frigid night air at 10,015 feet. |
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After returning to Chama I got some grub at Fosters. I ate there every night! Over dinner I edited and posted a few more pictures on the Goat. It was another fantastic day in Narrow Gauge Country.
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