RGX 2012 - Trip Report
September 20 - September 28
Day 8 - Thursday, September 27
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With an unexpected free day, I did what every rabid railfan in Chama does: I rode the train! Steve Forney was still in town and rode with me. Steve is one of just a few people I know (Michele being another) that I could chat with all day. He's one interesting dude.
As always, the trip across the line was fantastic. This was the first time I'd managed to be in the high country at the peak of the fall colors. Words don't do this sight justice. It must be experienced!
Please let me know if you find mistakes - RioGrandeDude @ SmittysHouse.net
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Antonito, Colorado |
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Departing Antonito |
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Ferguson's Trestle |
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I don't remember noticing just how many telegraph poles are still standing along the railroad. I tried to get shots of all that I saw. It's truly remarkable that so many have survived so long after their last use in 1968. |
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292 Miles from Denver |
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Site of the Big Horn Section House |
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Mt. Big Horn |
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Mr. Forney |
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Sublette, New Mexico |
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Fall Colors |
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Toltec Siding |
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Mud Tunnel |
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Site of the Toltec Section House |
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Rock Tunnel |
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Toltec Gorge |
Larry's Sign |
Garfield Monument |
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Tell-Tale |
Toltec Gorge |
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More telegraph poles |
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Osier, Colorado |
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RGS Motor #5 The Galloping Goose |
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Train 216 |
Osier Stock Pens |
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Osier Section House |
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Osier... |
a lonely, remote outpost |
Toltec Gorge |
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Ballast Mining at Martinez Point |
Train 216 heading to Antonito |
Los Pinos Siding |
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Toltec Gorge - Rio de Los Pinos |
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Cumbres Loop |
Cumbres Yard |
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Bill and Bandit - The Caretakers of Cumbres |
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Sadly, Bandit died a few months after these photos |
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Cumbres Section House |
So long Bandit... |
Coxo, Colorado |
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Windy Point |
Perry's Pond |
Coxo Phone Booth |
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"Steve's Mine" Steve pointed this out, near Hamilton's Point. No one seems to know its origin or purpose. |
Cresco Tank |
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Cresco Phone Booth |
Lobato Siding |
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Lobato, New Mexico |
When the train arrived in Chama, we noticed that John was still working on the power for the cameras up on the tipple. We both yelled "JOHN!" and a hand appeared from around the corner and waved. |
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John working on the tipple |
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484 as seen from inside a Rio Grande boxcar |
Chama in the perfect sunset light |
After getting a few more photos, I joined John on the tipple to lend a hand as he finished up. I also took my laptop up there and we adjusted the aim and focus on both cameras. This was NOT an easy task. The cameras are very sensitive to the touch. |
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A few last shots from this incredible vantage point |
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The work was nearly complete on the power and wiring. The final product was a thing of beauty. John does great work! |
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With all of my objectives accomplished, I got some chow at Foster's and packed up for the trip home. I remain deeply satisfied with this trip to God's Country. Many items were checked off of my bucket list. And, with the cameras now operating, I (along with the rest of the world) can now check in on Chama whenever I need a glimpse of my adopted home.
Till the next time...
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