Educated guess only…
This is a one day event. They’re going to run each train exactly once, from one end to the other.
If you do what most people do, and ride from one end to the middle, and back, you’ll swap locomotives in the middle.
If you ride one end to the other, you’ll stay with the one you started with.
Whether or not that qualifies as “Great” I’m not sure.
Matthew (OV)
On the C&TRR the heavy repairs and “Big” maintenance is done in the shops at Chama. My guess is… They need to move some cars and an Engine to Chama for work over the winter. Kind of a re-position of equipment for work. Why not try to make some $ on the move?
Other then that, I can’t see anything “Special”, other then a bit of winter scenery. Pretty Big storm blowing thru this weekend.
BTW for anyone that might be interested. 315 is wintering over in Antonito on the C&T
I love that shot of the train at Lava Tank. It really captures the feel of a lonely water stop in the middle of nowhere. And the scenery reminds me of parts of Nevada.
Thanks guys - Makes sense; I just didn’t get it!
Worked up a couple more pics from Chama:
Another “Night In Chama”
D&RGW 315 Runs in the Valley
Running at “Twilight in the Fog”
And desert running “20 Miles From No Where”
Hope you enjoy the pics. If you’r tired of them let me know.
Nice work - love the Night in Chama!
That’s a great shot!!
Soaks shirt slobbering over first shot…
Gorgeous photography David. Thanks for sharing your experiences, I am truly jealous. On my bucket list…if I can ever get my four adult children to not need assistance.
Wow, such awesome pics! I don’t think I’d ever tire of seeing more.
Dave, once again, great shots and certainly calendar material.
About the Loco Swap: I would be so there if we weren’t scheduled to be away on that date. My favorite postcard photo is of a Durango & Sliverton loco chugging through snow flurries with its headlight illuminating the snowflakes. Growing up in snow country, it’s always been about snow and trains. And narrow gauge steam. Sigh…
Joe, is it this one?
Thats NOT my shot, Boy do I wish that it was. Shot by my friend Darell Crawford. D&S 473 at Hermosa Creek Bridge. I printed a set of Prints of it for him, and this is on my wall at the studio ( one of only two that aren’t my own), I pointed my pocket camera at it today so you might enjoy it. He does sell copys of it. Darell has helped me on a number of occasions setting up special night shoots with the D&S.
Great Locomotive swap Not to happen!
Details here.
http://www.cumbrestoltec.com/greatlocomotiveswap
Here in Farmington NM, Now is 16 deg, and Chama is 5 deg. Up on the Mountain, it’s usually about 20 deg. colder. We’ve had two storms blow thru since this was posted, each dumping 2-3 feet of snow on Wolf Creek pass on the other side of the mountain.
How what they really need to do is fire up the rotary with a double header behind it, and one of the flangers and a caboose to make a great string to photograph. Now that would draw a crowd!
How long has it been since the rotary was used? I have some great videos but I’m sure they were taken at least 15 years ago if not more.
Bigger question is; can it be fired? Might be out of flue time or in need of the major FRA inspection (1475 days?)
Jon, I know that they pushed her over the top a few years ago (3-4 +). I have no knowledge of how they do the boiler time on MOW equipment, Maybe someone here could chime in.
Here is a couple of pics that I took of her in Chama this fall.
D&RGW OV rotary plow in C&T yard at Chama
And the wicked nasty business end.
Dave,
I think it is done under state boiler code, as it is not a locomotive per say. OY is in much better condition as it was the last to run, and may be superheated so less water consumtion. with John Bush at the helm I would not be suprized to see a rotary run again in the near future
Al P.
I don’t think anyone here is tired of these fantastic photos. Thanks.
Thanks Dave & Al !
Found this video on Utube of my girlfriend from Chama adventure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVsvd9uNDFQ
I guess that I might have to buy a copy.
Ya can even smell the coal smoke on that one…
Wow, that is a great video! I’ll have to see about buying that one.