NG Circle Tour - 2010
August 21 - September 1
Trip Report
Day 11 - Tuesday, August 31
Free day in Chama
Night photo shoot with Rotary OY
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This was supposed to be the day we returned to Spring. However, a week or so before we left, Roger Hogan announced a night photo shoot with Rotary OY. I couldn't pass that up! So, after some discussions (begging & pleading) with my boss and wife, the extra day was approved!
With a full free day to use, we headed up to Cumbres to catch the morning train departing. We chased as far as Apache Crossing and then went back to explore Cumbres. |
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Driving up to Cumbres |
2nd Highway 17 Crossing |
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Windy Point, as seen from Coxo |
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This is the loading ramp that's been constructed to deliver equipment to Cumbres, bypassing Lobato Trestle. |
Looking east from Cumbres Yard. |
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488 did some last minute switching prior to departure. |
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Note that the 40th Anniversary logos are now missing from the tender. Apparently they blew off. At least one was later recovered. |
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The moon |
Snow shed over the tail of the wye |
Me |
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Bill & Bandit |
Bill flags the crossing while Bandit barks a salute at the departing train. |
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Mike Ripley, Bandit, & Bill |
Tanglefoot Curve |
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Driving down to Apache Crossing |
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Approaching Apache Crossing Eastbound |
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Heading east towards Los Pinos Valley |
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Fire Patrol - The Unsung Heroes |
Old Highway 17 north of Cumbres |
Cumbres Lake? Just north of Cumbres Pass |
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North of the snow shed |
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Old Highway 17 |
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There is a photo by Chris Burritt showing a 1950's-era GMC pickup parked under the Cumbres Trestle while 484 passed overhead. I've wanted to stage a similar shot with my truck since seeing Mr. Burritt's photo. Unfortunately no trains are operating over the trestle this year. *The photo is on page 154 of "Rio Grande Narrow Gauge" by John Norwood. |
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Same idea, different direction. |
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Tail of the wye |
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Car Inspector's House |
Base of the turntable |
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Snow shed |
This is the stable behind the Car Inspector's House. The Friends have done an AMAZING job of recreating this structure! |
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Coal bin |
Chicken Coup? |
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Weather Device operated by the Soil Conservation Service, USDA. (Per the Friends Cumbres Tour) |
Here are some different vantage points of the Car Inspector's House/Section House and the Cumbres Yard. |
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Snow shed |
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The ashes are being dumped here on the west leg of the wye while locomotives are stored overnight on Cumbres Pass. I noticed a Hostler spreading them out one evening. |
The House Track for the Depot was here before being removed to make room for the busses to load/unload passengers. I hope that it's put back once Lobato Trestle is repaired. |
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End of the House Track. |
Cumbres Section House |
Looking west towards Chama |
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Chillin' at the Section House. I don't know many places on Earth that are more peaceful and relaxing. |
Water Plug |
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NG Tamper |
NG Ballast Regulator |
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Chipmunk in a coal pile. He's got good taste! |
Coal for servicing locomotives that spend the night at the pass. |
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MOW equipment near Dalton |
Lobato |
Lobato Lake (dry this time of year) |
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Back in Chama we got lunch at Fosters and ate in the yard while waiting for 487/483 to pull out Rotary OY. |
487 couples onto OY |
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Alan releases the brakes on the OY Auxiliary Tender |
There was a LOT of creaking and squealing going on as OY was gently coaxed out of her storage spot. |
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487 shoving OY into the north end of the yard |
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As night fell the real fun started... |
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Jordan Spreader OU and Rotary OY rest peacefully in Chama Yard... dreaming of past glories and awaiting the next call to action! |
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As another perfect day came to a close in Narrow Gauge Country, we packed up our gear and went to bed early in preparation for the 15 hour drive home to Spring. |
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