Chama Steam VIII - 2009
October 17-25, 2009
Trip Report
Day 7 - Friday
Gato - Chama
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Over the past 4 years one of my big objectives has been to see Gato / Pagosa Junction. I didn't want to risk it on Monday with the truck making crazy noises. But, now that I had that issue resolved I felt confident enough to head west and FINALLY explore the old Right of Way between Chama and Durango on the way to Gato. As I was getting ready to leave, however, I read a report from Jay on the Goat that all four K36's were hot by the engine house. I couldn't let this pass by, so off to the yard I went. |
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Left to Right 488, 484 (in back), 489, 487 (inside) |
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487 was in the engine house |
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Looking west towards Durango |
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| Before leaving town for Gato, I headed over to the The Trackside Emporium to redeem the gift certificate my mom gave me for my birthday. I'd never been in there, but WOW! they have a huge selection of books. I could drop some serious cash in there if given the chance. As it was I left with 3 books and a DVD. Owners Bob and Sylvia were very warm and gracious and even complimented me on the pictures I had posted on the Goat that week. I'll be visiting them on my next trip, hopefully with more money to spend! | ||||||||
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End of tack west of Chama. The C&T uses this area to load / offload visiting equipment such as DRGW 315 and RGS Motor 5 |
Looking west towards Durango |
Looking east towards Chama past the end of track. This is what it would look like bringing a train into Chama from Durango. |
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Stock cars marooned in Dulce. They sure need some TLC. |
Heading west to Navajo Tank |
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Navajo Tank |
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Heading west past Navajo Tank |
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A few hundred yards past Navajo Tank the pavement ends. The road was muddy, but easily passable... at first. All the rain from Wednesday hadn't had a chance to evaporate. The further I went the worse the roads got. I kept pushing on, probably past the point I should've thrown in the towel. After about 10 more minutes and several spinouts I conceded defeat and found an area wide enough and dry enough to turn around. The elusive Pagosa Junction will have to wait for another day on another trip.
Disappointed, I returned to Chama, stopping to get more pictures of the old Right of Way as I went. The day wasn't a total loss though. I got back just in time for the Shop Tour that's included in Chama Steam. Had I made it to Gato I would've missed what turned out to be a great tour. |
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The mud here wasn't bad at all, but further along it got deep and wet |
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Navajo Tank and Trestle |
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My truck on the ROW |
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I'm betting this standard gauge boxcar didn't arrive via 3 foot iron |
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Another shot of the stock cars in Dulce |
In Dulce |
Lumberton, NM |
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Monero Canyon |
I traced out the ROW on several shots to make it easier to discern |
Monero, NM |
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Site of trestle in Monero Canyon |
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Location where ROW crossed Hwy 64 east of Monero |
Just east of Monero Canyon |
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Looks like a NG Boxcar / MOW car east of Monero along Hwy 64. Does anyone know the story on this? |
ROW crosses 64/84 about 10 west of Chama - Looking west |
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ROW crosses 64/84 about 10 west of Chama - Looking east |
Tail of Chama Wye |
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Tail of Chama Wye |
Chama Wye <- West Leg - East Leg-> |
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East Leg and Stock Pens |
New roof being put on Chama Depot |
K27 463 frame and running gear |
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K36 487 in engine house |
New paint job in the engine house |
487's stack |
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Looking through window in the machine shop |
C16 boiler in Chama Roundhouse |
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Original Roundhouse Central Heating Unit |
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Close-up of the coal burning stove |
C18 315 |
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Smokebox on 315 |
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497 is the only K37 to operate since the Rio Grande abandoned all narrow gauge operations in 1968 |
497 is scheduled to go into the shop once 463 is completed late next summer |
Boiler from 463 and our tour guide Shop Manager Michelle Martin |
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This 1800 lbs oak beam will become the pilot on 463 next summer |
The Friends of the C&T have done a fantastic job replacing the telegraph poles in the yard from the wye to the river |
489 - 488 - 484 |
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The completed train for Saturday's excursion |
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Conductors view from 0579 looking west towards Durango |
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A few final shots in the wonderful afternoon light in Chama Yard |
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| I met Steve Forney and Sam Seiber in the bar at Fosters for a few cold ones. Truth be told, I'm not a big drinker and this was my first visit to the bar. I've been using the backdoor to get to the restaurant. Jay came in several times throughout the evening and I got to meet his wife, Jean, for the first time. I also got to meet the infamous Bill Noe. Many stories were told and tales spun. It was a fun night. | ||||||||
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| DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5 | DAY 6 | DAY 7 | DAY 8 | DAY 9 |
