Los Pinos (pronounced "peenos") Siding is located at approximately MP 324.8-325.0, a little over a quarter of a mile west of the pile trestle over the Rio de Los Pinos. The siding is 1800' feet long and capable of holding 45-50 cars. During the 1950-s oil boom in Farmington, NM this siding was used often for meets.

In May 2009, the 489 derailed at the west switch putting the lead truck and all 8 drivers on the ground. Fortunately no was injured or even too bothered by the incident. Everyone remained in great spirits taking the incident in stride, even though it cut the trip short. The westbound train (115) was turned at Osier and returned to Antonito. The miracle workers at the C&T returned 489 to the iron and moved the 84 year old locomotive under her own power back to Chama inside of 48 hours. By the 3rd day the track had been repaired and the line was reopened. Such is life on the railroad in the Rocky Mountains.

The pile trestle over the Rio de Los Pinos is located at MP 324.5 and is 175' long. This is one of my favorite spots on the line.

October 2006

Looking north (RR west)

July 2008

Stock Extra 315 West - Looking south (RR east)

May 2009

On Sunday, May 24, K36 #489 derailed at the west switch on the Los Pinos siding.

No one was injured, but it took the railroaders of the C&T 2 days to get 489 back on the iron and returned to Chama.

Los Pinos Tank

across the valley

Looking south (RR east)

Looking north (RR west)

October 2009

Extra 487 East as seen from the Conductors Desk on Caboose 0579

going around the loop at the north end of Los Pinos Valley

488 running light

south (RR east)

488 on the Los Pinos

river trestle

Extra 487 East on the trestle over the Rio de Los Pinos

East switch for the siding

Trestle over the

Los Pinos River