Chama Coaling Tower; can it be restored?

[sawyer811]

I consider my self a fairly well-versed "narrow minded" person, but here i've his a snag. maybe one of our many narrow-gauge fans can enlighten me.

I know that the coaling tower at Chama is currently inoperable, and they use a dirt ramp to coal the engines, and last i heard the Labato trestle is still down for the count (maybe someone can update me on that too), but if there was funding and available manpower, could the Chama Coaling Tower be made operational again? Were/are there any plans for this to happen anytime soon? I know it would be a royal pain to keep it going, but i would think it would add to the authenticity of the operations if in the mornings, when they hostled the engines out for the days train, they used the real coal chute instead of the ramp (the water tank works right?). Please nobody jump me, i just thought i'd ask. I've been wondering about the coal tower for years (in truth, the first few times i went, i thought they did use it, but i just never got their early enough to see the process). maybe it would be an interesting project for the C&TS.

 

[UP5521]

I think it can be done,but it could cost alot of money which usually used on the steam engines and rolling stock in their collection,but then again I don't know much about it,I probably might need to do some research and once I do that,I'll let you know what I came up with!

 

[sawyer811]

I pretty much assumed it would be a money issue, but it seems like it's structuraly sound (at least to my untrained eye) so what it probably boils down to is does the conveyor work. that probably makes or breaks the thing, wether you can salvage any of that.

 

[UP5521]

yeah thats true but there is one more problem,where in the world the railroad will get some some construction workers to inspect it,I'm not trying to be mean,I'm just confused,I seen it just standing there,and the only thing in the yard that were moving were the steam engines (which was served by it at one time),I just felt like the railroad is not complete without it!

 

[Klinger]

The coaling tower is in bad shape. The foundation needs to be replaced, many of the main supports are badly rotted, and the roof is more like a strainer then a roof.

Its slowly being worked on, the Friends are working on repairing the roof last I heard, and hopefully the foundation too.

Labato will be repaired before the beginning of this coming operating season, 487 will pull work trains to and from the trestle to Chama, and the goal is to have it open for opening day. The money is already there, thanks to donation, and earmarks from both Colorado and New Mexico to pay for the work.

Check here for more updates

http://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/list.php?1

 

[UP5521]

thanks for letting us know that klinger,I did not know what was happening with it!