D&RGW 315 on the C&TS

[Klinger]

My model Train club decided that this Summer we would make a Club trip to the C&TS. We rode the train on June 21, 2008. Was quite an entertaining ride

We were the first train to arrive at Osier. We ate, and then most of my group ventured outside to wait for 488 and 315 to arrive. well, over an hour later, 488 decided to show up, but we still had to wait for 315 to make her appearance before we could leave. About 30 minutes after 488 arrived, 315 popped around the Corner.

after 315 showed up, we thought we would be able to leave. not the case. Apparently the train out of Chama was overbooked. so before we took off to we had to steal a car from the train back to Chama, or the train that we had rode up on.

That alone took about 15 minutes, then we at last left. Over 2 hours late, does anyone know when Amtrak took over operation of the C&TS

Found 315 on Sunday in the Antonito Yard, along with an Ex-Alaska railroad full dome from the SL&RG, and D&RGW 463 hiding in the Antonito Engine house

If anyone wants to build a Rotary Snow plow, I have interior shots of OY in Chama

 

[knifeswitch1]

Awesome shots Klinger, I'm going to Chama to ride behind 315 at the end of this month. I hope I don't have as amazing luck with timing as you did.

Quick question, did you happen to see the status of 487? She had the issue with the firebox sheet that was supposedly putting her out of service, just wondering if that's still the case.

EDIT: Also, who was the engineer for the run? John Coker had been the previous engineer, but I read that he left the organization due to different ideas regarding 315's future.

 

[Klinger]

I rode behind 484 to Antonito, they used 487 to help us up Cumbras pass. They went easy on her, 484 did most of the work. but 487 is still very much alive

They better get their butts going if they take 487 out of service, they either need to finish 489 (which was still in pieces when I was there) or fix 463, 497 or 492, they are fast running out of equipment

 

[HawkeyeFultz]

That's one of the things that makes me sad about the C&TS. They just don't have the funding to restore the engines. I had 488 on my trip, and since it was a Sunday, they were only running one train from Chama to Antonito. It was pretty nice being there on an off day! I love those pictures of 315...I bet that was a thrill!

 

[knifeswitch1]

Thanks for that Klinger, glad to see she's still alive.
When I went last summer, they had her maxxed out with 12 cars. They were supposed to have 484 as a helper but for whatever reason decided against it, and they were litterally running 487 into the ground. The highest speed we got up to while going up Cumbres was no more than 5 mph (timed the mileposts).

 

[smokeygear]

If you ask me, I believe the states are to blame for quabbling over money.

Edit: The states goal was to run a scenic railroad not run it into the ground. It goes to show how politics have changed since beyond my lifetime.

 

[farmscrap]

how was the 489 looking. getting close to running yet?