|
Click On Any Photo To See Large Version
Use Your Back Button To Return |
|
 |
Welcome back everybody to the 4th Week of
March Update. During the
Winter Steam Freight in Durango, my friend Gary Aubin was lucky to
get a Yard tour of Durango, and he shared some of the photographs
with us.. Thanks Gary.
This is the Smokebox door of Locomotive
482..
|
|
  |
Monday April 4th, 2005...
Well you are looking at the Shoveled clean tender
of 484, thanks to both the Antonito Crew and the Machinist from
Chama and the Roundhouse Foreman, Locomotive 484 has its new valve's
installed, timed and 484 is ready for Service. We will now take
Tender 484 into the shop and check its running gear, we plan to jack
it off both of its Trucks, check the trucks completely, adjust
brakes and make any neccesary repairs if needed. Then plans are to
wash and re-apply the silver to the entire locomotive..
Good News also, Wednesday a limited Track Crew
will began work on installing the 3 new switches to connect the loop
of the Antonito Yard to the Repair Track and eventually install
track to the new Antonito Car Repair Facility. and, I will be there
to capture it all for you.
Tuesday April 5th, 2005...
Today we continued some work on 484, although she
is ready for service... we are doing annual FRA inspections to 484,
today we repacked the Brake Cylinders on 484 and we are now Hammer
and pressure testing the Air Reservoirs. we have installed the
Independent brake stand and the feed valve's and the automatic brake
stand. Today the surveying for the new track to the Antonito Car
Repair Facility was done and tomorrow the work on pulling up the old
switches and relaying track will began. I will have pictures on next
weeks update.. |
|
   |
Well its Wednesday April 6th, 2005...
The Track crew is back on duty and hard at work
already. This is first part of the new Alignment in the Antonito
Yard. The First Switch comes out and Max and Rudy are hard at work
pulling spikes.
Joseph is pulling spikes from the Point, that
will come out and be moved to a new location!
Max is unbolting the Switch. |
|
   |
The points and frogs are out, the inside rail will
remain and a new outside rail will be installed to make a solid
curve.
In the last picture, you can see the long switch
ties are being pulled out and they will be replaced with standard
size, brand new ties. |
|
    |
The inside rail remains and all the new ties have
been installed. In the second
picture, you can see the outside rail needs to be cut to make the
connection.
The work Spur is no longer connected, the
Switch on the curve is now History.
The rails on the spur are still in the wrong
position and tomorrow, more rails from the work spur will be
removed. Today I was on the Backhoe and in the background I have
been working to make a clear path to the Antonito Car Repair shop..
I have moved alot of dirt and now I have to remove the whole pile of
Ballast. |
|
   |
Thursday April 7th, 2005...
Tender 484 was switched into track 4 to get jacked
off its wheels.. we will inspect the trucks and make any neccesary
repairs. |
|
    |
The Track Crew continues work on the New track, in
these photos they are finishing the Curve after having removed the
switch. |
|
    |
The guys are now working on installing the first
switch, the ground was broken up and now they are cleaing the ties
to pull up the spikes. You can see
one of 484 trucks, we removed it, power washed it, inspected it and
placed it back under 484. |
|
    |
Marvin begins the work in removing the dirt to get
to the ties to install the first switch.
Sorry picture's are a little out of order... They
guys are finishing the spiking on the curve and then it will be
done. |
|
   |
More prep work for the first switch. |
|
  |
Tender 484 is done and is moved out of the shop. I
power washed the coal bunker and we will repaint it to protect the
metals sheets or walls. |
|
    |
End of the day, you are looking at the pulled up
spur and the finished curve. The
rails have been pulled up on the spur as that section of track will
be moved a little south. |
|
   |
Friday April 8th 2005...
You are looking southeast in the first picture..
the Ground has been dug down to create a solid base of Ballast. The
First Switch will start here and divert to the right.
The second picture shows the cut rails from the
original curve, the Switch rails will hook up here.
That is the solid base of ballast for the new
switch. |
|
   |
A look at the Polished edge of the freshly cut
rail. The Ballast base.
And a look at the whole work project.
Okay have a great weekend, more on Monday.. oh
and we have to run a train up to Milepost 290 to pick up rail.. and
with Diesel 19 in Chama, well it looks like we are going to fire up
Locomotive 484 for a cruise up the line. All thats happening next
week. |
|
 |
The Crew of the Wells Fargo Hot Air Balloon
stand in the Basket as the Pilot checks his instruments.. This is a
Gigantic Balloon and I was very Honored and Pleased to spend time
talking with crew.. I will introduce you to three Wonderful Friendly
Young Ladies in the next updates.. Thanks Ladies, I enjoyed talking
with you. |
|
 |
The Wells Fargo Balloon floats in the cool
morning air of Los Lunas, New Mexico, it was the St Patrick's
Balloon Rally.. over 90 balloons were on the field. |
|
 |
Another one of the Balloons that stood out
was "Enchanted Duckie" In the next few updates I will introduce you
to one of the Pilots...
If you
would like, you can learn more about this 77 foot tall duckie,
contact: Qtheduckie@aol.com |
|
 |
Locomotive 488 sits in the shop getting the
plumbing installed..
Now thanks to our buddy
from Albuquerque, Gerald
Byrnes, here is a link to some his photography..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/76246643@N00/?saved=1 Gerald has been a good friend of ours here on
the railroad, thanks Gerald. |
|
 |
A look at the Valve Gear on the Engineer's side. |
|
 |
A look at the installed Air Pump, it is still in
primer red. |
|
 |
A look thru the Fireman's door and you can see the
installed Injector and steam lines. |
|
 |
I am standing on the running board and looking up
to the Governor that controls the steam going to the Air Pump. You
can see the small copper lines that sense air pressure and control the governor.. and the
copper line going down is the condensation drain for the governor. |
|
 |
A overall look at the fireman's side of 488. |
|
 |
A look at the Sand Dome, the Air lines are still
being installed as are the sand delivery pipes. |
|
 |
Another view of the Air Pump. |
|
 |
A look at 488's fireman's side.. |
|
 |
A look at the interior plumbing in 488's cab, you
can see the steam gauge and steam lines to the water glasses and the
water column.. |
|
 |
A look at the Main Crank Pin on the Engineer's
side, the Eccentric crank and Eccentric rod are also in the picture. |
|
 |
A look at two of 487's Journal Boxes, they have
been built up with weld to rebuild the wear on the boxes. |
|
 |
You are looking at the Open valve of 487, the
Locomotive is getting re-timed.. the large arrow points to the
indicator plug that has been removed and the two arrows below point
to the holes where the plugs go, they have been removed to allow the
guys to look into the valve and check the timing. |
|
 |
Jean and Ed Beard, share lunch together... Ed is a
Machinist with The Cumbres & Toltec and Jean is the best Cookie
maker..... |
|
 |
This axle has just had new wheels put on it, then
Ed the Machinist turns the wheels to polish the face and flange to
make sure the wheel is completely round.. don't they look cool all
shiny like that. |
|
 |
This wheel is on the machine, one side is almost
done, then Ed will work on the opposite side... then the wheel will
be trucked to Antonito to installed on a passenger car. |
|
 |
A look at a few Brasses or bushings for 487's
rods, the X-marks on the bushings are put there to catch and hold
the Alemite Grease to provide Lubrication. |
|
 |
A look at a finished Fireman's Injector... |
|
 |
A look at 488's Fireman's side. |
|
 |
A look at the Dynamo and Main Fountain on 488, the
Dynamo is a steam Generator providing electricity for 488 and the
Main Fountain is the main source of steam to run the Injectors, the
Dynamo, the Air Pump and the Blower or steam assisted draft for 488. |
|
 |
A view of 488's front end, I thought they were
going to put the plow back on, but it seems 488 will have a regular
pilot or cowcatcher installed. |
|
 |
A look at 488's installed Engineer's side air
reservoir, you can see the supply air line coming out of the
reservoir, this feeds the braking system thru the locomotive. |
|
 |
A look at the rods and counterweights on 488's
Engineer side. |
|
 |
A view of the Main Crank Pin, Main rod and
Eccentric Crank and Eccentric rod. |
|
 |
You are looking at the Backside of the Cowcatcher,
it is being worked on, the arrow points to the bolt holes where it
will be attached to the Locomotive. |
|
 |
A view of the installed bell and the Brand New
Safety Valve's. |
|
 |
You are standing in the cab looking forward and
down to the installed Air reservoir. |
|
 |
A view of the Air Pump, the Steam Feed line and
shut off valve are to the right and up and the Air Filter is to the
right and down. |
|
 |
A look at the Installed Air Reservoir, the line
from the first reservoir will come over the top of the boiler and
into this reservoir then on into the air brake systems. |
|
 |
Durango & Silverton Locomotive 482 sits in
the Durango Roundhouse getting repairs |
|
 |
During the Winter Special Train on the D&S,
Locomotive 473 passes the Photo Line charging thru the snow. |
|
 |
Another shot of 473... |
|
 |
Heading thru the Highline, Locomotive 473
Blows down from its Engineers side, what a view... |
|
 |
Durango & Silverton Locomotive 473 brings
the Special Train past the Photo Line.. Thanks Again to Gary Aubin
for sharing these awesome picture's. |
|
 |
I am at Hermosa Water Tank, elevation 6,
645 feet.. down the track is the morning train to Cascade Canyon Wye. |
|
 |
Its Wednesday the 23rd of march and
Locomotive 482 is on its second passenger train run after coming out
of the shop. |
|
 |
Slowing down a little Locomotive 482 comes
into Hermosa... |
|
 |
Blowing a road crossing whistle, Engineer
William Colley brings the train thru Hermosa. |
|
 |
It was a cool wet morning and 482 is
putting up a beautiful steam trail. |
|
 |
Ain't she a Beauty.. |
|
 |
With the Alamosa Parlor at the rear, the
train leaves me and Hermosa behind.. |
|
 |
The Train Goes thru the 550 Highway
Crossing and begins the climb up the grade just below Milepost 463. |
|
 |
Hermosa water tank at Milepost 462.5 sits
in the cool rain. |
|
 |
The Fire service tank cars sit in Hermosa,
these are actually very Beautiful Cars.
Once again I would like to Thank
all the employee's of the Durango & Silverton, they all treated me
like a Million Dollars while I was visiting the railroad. I had a
Great Time, it was a Blast and everybody was friendly and fun...
|
|
 |
Well here is FEC 148 sitting in Monte
Vista, Colorado. I have made contact with railroad employee's and
hope to bring you lots more information and news in the future..
FEC 148 is a 4-6-2 light "Pacific"
steam engine built by Alco. Apparently according to reports is that
it has had major work done on it in Traverse City and will not take
a whole lot more work to make it run, but who knows if that is
accurate or not.
FEC (Florida East Coast)
#148 was transported on two flat cars from Traverse City, Michigan.
Information, thanks to Ken Graczyk. |
|
 |
Here is a Rio Grande Southern Car.. I don't
know its number or history, but I will work on that for you.
Now I must say, I hope to have a great deal of info on this New
Railroad for you in the future..
Contact the
Foundation at: 20 North Broadway, Monte Vista, Co. 81144
-
Phone
719-852-7000 or:
Wagon-Wheel-Gap@hotmail.com |
|
 |
Locomotive 148 sitting in Monte Vista. This
will be its home for a while.
During the evening twilight hours of
March 19th 2005, Engineer Matt Cutter eased a San Luis & Rio Grande
train consisting of three D&RGW Box Cars, two D&RGW Flangers, a D&RGW
Gondola, the D&RGW #01423 Caboose and two flat cars carrying a ALCO
Light Pacific Steam Locomotive, into the train yard of Monte Vista,
Colorado, thus concluding a 1,800 mile trip from Travers City, Mi.
for this engine. It now sits on the Foundation's spur track next to
its Headquarters.
This
locomotive's trip actually started in ALCO Shops in 1920 when it was
completed and sent to The Florida East Coast Railroad. There it
took passengers out of Miami up and down the Florida coast all the
way to Key West. Sold in the 1940's to a sugar company, it worked
that job until the 1950's when diesel power replaced it. A quiet
few years fell on this proud locomotive until it was put back into
service on an east coast tourist train.
Purchased in
the 1980's and moved to Michigan, it awaited renovation which was
started a few years ago but never completed, that is where the
Foundation stepped in and purchased it to use on the WWGR....
information thanks to
Richard Cutter |
|
 |
This is a Rio Grande Caboose, again I don't
know its number, but I will try to get the details for you.. |
|
 |
Its missing the wheels, but its
restorable.. |
|
 |
The Cab of 148 sitting in the Rio Grande
Railway Yard. |
|
 |
Its a beauty, old and worn down, but it
could someday ride the rails again. |
|
 |
Another view of the Rio Grande
Southern Car in Monte Vista. This car was actually in Trout Lake
and was RGS Passenger
car #0252. It's original D&RGW number was #261 before
coming here to Monte Vista according to the information I received
thanks to
Craig Kumler |
|
 |
Locomotive 148. |
|
 |
This is the Office for the New Railway
starting up between Creede and South Fork and maybe even as far
Monte Vista. |
|
 |
The Rio Grande Caboose sitting at the end
of the spur in Monte Vista with the rest of the work train.
|
|
 |
Another view of the Rio Grande Southern
Car, its in great shape actually. |
|
 |
And another view of the Narrow Gauge Rio
Grande Caboose. All I have now is picture's, but i hope to have alot
more info in the near future, keep your eyes open for info on the
new railroad that will run the
"Wagon Wheel Gap
Route"
visit:
WWW.Wagon-Wheel-Gap-Route.Freehomepage.com |
|
 |
The Wells Fargo Balloon consist of a few
Balloons and they travel in this custom truck. The Employees
volunteer their time to crew for the Balloons. |
|
 |
Keeping the Wells Fargo Balloon up in the
Air requires Heat and the Pilot fires the Burners to keep the
envelope Hot and lighter than Air. |
|
 |
Welcome once again to the Parlor Bed &
Breakfast in Chama, New Mexico.. You are looking at the Dining
Room, the Table is always beautifully set,
The Parlor Car B&B was actually built in
a period between 1924 to 1928 by Chama's first Banker W.O. Evans, it
is a lovely Tudor Style home with bay windows and pressed tin
ceilings.. |
|
 |
This is the Upstairs reading room.. it is a
comfortable room to sit and read and relax.
Oh and your Hosts are Wendy & Bonsall
Johnson, if you have a dog, bring them along.. the Parlor Car has a
place for your dog to stay and can also watch them while you ride
the train.. |
|
 |
This is the Staircase that leads to the
Upstairs rooms.. I love it. |
|
 |
We are in the Living room facing the
railroad yards. |
|
 |
Another view of the Living Room, there are
beautiful paintings throughout the entire house, each is Beautiful
and has a story to tell. |
|
 |
You are in the William Jackson Palmer
Bedroom upstairs.. this room has a beautiful view overlooking the
entire Locomotive Servicing areas of the Railroad yard. |
|
 |
A view of the Stairs leading to the
upstairs bedrooms. |
|
 |
A little detail of the Amazing woodwork in
the Dining Room. |
|
 |
And a Small look look at the Bathroom in
the George Mortimer Pullman Room.
You can stay at the Parlor Car in Chama New
Mexico during your visit to the Cumbres & Toltec.. Call
1-888-849-7800 or visit the website at:
www.parlorcar.com...
Its Twinky Approved and Oh man, what
cookies Wendy makes at the Parlor Car... |
