NG Circle Tour - 2010
August 21 - September 1
Trip Report
Day 9 - Sunday, August 29
Rio Grande Southern Motor #5
Cumbres Pass to Big Horn to Cumbres Pass
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The last time we saw Goose #5 she was resting peacefully in Silverton Yard. Unfortunately, she was unable to travel to Cumbres Pass by rail. Because Lobato Trestle was out she didn't even come up from Chama by rail. A temporary ramp was built east of the Highway 17 crossing and the Goose was delivered there.
I've been fortunate to have ridden on a few steam charters in recent years. I even got to ride in the Goose from Cascade to Los Pinos once. But, I hadn't been on a charter with just the Goose and I thought it was time to get acquainted with her. So, instead of booking a trip on the C&T steam charter this day, we rode the Goose from Cumbres Pass to Big Horn and back. This also gave me a chance to see the last piece of the C&T that I hadn't had a chance to explore: the tail of the Big Horn Wye. And, we had the distinction of being the first train to depart this day and the last to get back... it was a LONG day! |
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488's tender has been freshly painted, awaiting the new 40th Anniversary signage designed by Russ Sperry. |
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Section House in the morning fog |
The Car Inspectors House nearly hidden by the dense fog. |
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It's hard to see the smoke, but a fire was lit in the stove to help ward off the damp cold this morning. Sure was toasty inside the Goose. |
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These 2 photos were taken about a minute apart as the Goose backed up for the run-by. The fog rolled in quick! |
Goose #5 heading east out of the fog just past Tanglefoot Curve / Cumbres Loop MP 329.4 |
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The fog really helped make some interesting photos. |
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Entering the southwest portion of Los Pinos Valley - MP ~327 |
Los Pinos Tank - MP 325.5 |
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Los Pinos Trestle on the east side of the valley - MP 324.5 |
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Old Telegraph Pole |
Long Creek - MP 321 |
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That's me... "working" |
Cascade Trestle heading east MP 319.9 |
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This is the view we had sitting in the Osier Lunch Room!! |
This little guy is a regular! |
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Love the sign |
What year is this? 2010? 1950? |
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After chow we claimed seats in the cab of the Goose. There's no better seat in the house. |
Looking over the shoulder of Motorman Larry Spencer |
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Calico Cut - MP 313.2 |
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Conductor Nick Quintana and the west portal of Mud Tunnel |
Mud Tunnel - MP 311.3 |
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East Portal of Mud Tunnel |
More "free range" cattle |
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Arriving at Big Horn siding, the Goose backs into the east leg of the wye - MP 299.4 |
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Conductor Nick Quintana guides the Goose back through the wye. |
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Goose #5 at the tail of the Big Horn Wye |
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Oops |
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With an hour to kill before the eastbound train arrived, I hiked out to the end of the Big Horn wye. |
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No trains have ventured back here in over 40 years! |
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Washout |
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End-of-the-Line This is the last segment of C&T trackage I had to explore. I have now seen every inch of the railroad. |
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Looking down the main line east from Big Horn. |
Looking west |
The Big Horn crossing |
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This rail is stamped "1923" |
With still more time to kill until the eastbound arrived, Michele amused herself by photographing chipmunks. Those little guys are FAST. |
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The eastbound finally arrives and passes us. |
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Note the new logo on 488's tender. It was applied after we left Cumbres that morning. Sure looks good! |
Continuing east to Antonito. |
Sublette |
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Phantom Curve - MP 312.3 |
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West Portal of Rock Tunnel & Toltec Gorge - MP 315.3 |
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Toltec Gorge |
My buddy Larry discovered this old sign in a collection of Life Magazine photos and recommended it be put back, which the Friends did. |
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Garfield Monument |
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Osier, CO - MP 318.4 |
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We made a pit-stop at Osier on the return trip. Osier is a VERY quiet place without a trainload of passengers there. |
I've traded emails with singer/songwriter Ed Stabler for a few years now and it was a real treat to finally meet him. |
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Heading back to the Goose with Ed |
Back at Cumbres Michele spotted another rainbow in nearly the same spot as the day before. These were taken from the Goose. |
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