An added note; The RR Commission has a real RR Contractor replacing Ties and some rail on the road. Makes for a nicer ride! Got to ride from Chama to Antomito a week ago and I want to go back and STAY! I’m sure I can get a license in New Mexico. IT WAS GREAT!!!
Paul
Fall in the high Rockies.
Red Mountain mining district CO. The target of the “Silverton Railroad”. Shot from the old roadbed.
It’s to bad the rails don’t go there any more.
WOW!
Holy carp, what a gorgeous shot!
I always love your photography, Dave! You really depict the emotion in your shots and put it in the print.
Dave ,
Brilliiant descriptions of the enjoyment you had . Made me enjoy it too .
Mike
Beautiful pic of the foliage!
Do you have a favorite place to eat in Silverton?
A group of us ate at Handlebars. I was attracted to eat there by a Burma Shave type sign set just north of the campground on the east side of the D&S RR.
"Grandpa was Right
You Need a Break
Stop in for some
Chix Fried Steak
Handlebars"
Camera wasn’t ready so missed of them. On the return trip I was distracted by the pretty mountain views to the East.
On Monday went up to Silverton to visit my Girlfriend 315. Well OK really to pick up a couple of wheels to be worked on over the Winter. 17 Deg. out and 12 inches of snow on the ground, with drifts of 18+ inches.
The “Clissic” view of Silverton from the “Million Dollar Hwy” Sleepy little town, tucked into a high valley in the Rockies.
iT is hard to believe that this little place had 4 different NG railroads serving it.
Anyway, Here is the Ol Gal tucked away for the winter in the Silverton Northern Engine House.
And the object of our trip, two axels.
And this adventure begins.
Are those wheels destined to roll under that tank that was rescued?
The axles are destined for what ever set needs a new one, as we have 6 cars that need to be restored.
These axels each weigh about 900 - 1000 lb… A few guys aren’t a gonna grab and heave into a pick-um-up truck. Just maneuvering them around is a chore. Having been setting on the ground, and the snow and cold, Of course they were frozen to the ground. Standing on the snow trying to break them loose with a 6’ spike pulling tool was fruitless. We then used Genes 4x4 and a sling to jerk them loose after several tries to get them out into the open for loading.
We then picked up and carried ( ever tried pushing on of those things thru 12" of snow?) an engine hoist to do the lifting.
Yes we backed the truck under the axel. There was no way to roll the lift, after it sank up to the frame in the packed snow. We carried the lift out of the way and did it all again for the other axel.
And a fun time was had by all. Chocked and lashed the axels down, and headed to the Brown Bear restaurant for a cup of hot caffeine and a great pulled pork sandwich.
More to come.
While in Silverton last week, I made the time to get a few shoots of the 1890s tank that we (DRHS) hauled off the other side of the Mtns. Didn’t get to do a lot of pics, But got a few.
The Tank out back behind the Silverton Northern Engine House.
And another view.
And the " Flat Ends" that makes this tank unique;
OK you Ol tyme modelers get cracking on this build. I have a few more detail pics to work up to post.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/11-16-14-11_zps722e5737.jpg)
It’s funny - The "little’ parts of a 1:1 locomotive turn out to be HUGE when you try to do anything with them …
Dave Taylor said:
Can you tell me what that spikey looking thing is on the left side of the number board in this photo?
Ray,
My guess would be a catch/latch of some nature. It appears to me that there is a hinge on the right side of the number board. I would guess as well it is for access to the light inside.
Bob C.
Ray… It is the connector for the Glass door over the number. There is a wing nut on the door closure devise.
Here is a poor close-up from the picture, of the area.
There is sorta a 2 finger latch that the hold down clamp goes over/thru the top of, and the wing nut tightens down and closes the door.
Ok, thanks!
Got a couple more detail pics done of the 1890s tank.
The bottom drain. Not as large as I would have thought. About 2" is all.
And a close up;
And the top side:
And the vent/safety. It appears to be about 6" pipe.
Got a few more to work up.
A few more pics of our Tank.
One of the unusual things on this tank is that it has the “Pyramid” rivets.
SO how many are there, (for you rivet counters) Just kidding with ya!
Found this GREAT video of 315 on “Opening Day 2014 C&TS”. I was fireman from Osier (05:40 point) on in to Chama. Boy is she a pretty Gal.
As a budding fireman on 315, I have been taught that a little bit of coal more often is better then a lot all at once. Reading the smoke is important, to tell what the fire is doing.
Found this older video on the right and proper way to fire. The explanations of how a coal fire works are interesting and educational.