Steam & Excursion > Over The Top

Cresting Cumbres Pass.

Ed

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You done did gooood.

Roger Hogan
Chama, NM
Train Stuff

One water tank you don't have to apply brakes to stop at. But, you do apply them to stay there!

This train was run by Engineer and Fireman School graduates. They did a fantastic job. However, it took two or three tries to get to the "proper" spot, indicated by the small stack of rocks under the cab.

Ed

That's a beautiful photo! Looks just like something
Beebe would have in one of his books -- timeless......

Glad the "engineer-for-a-day" and "fireman-for-a-day"
folks did OK. Running a steam locomotive is not
something one learns to do well in a day or two, but
it sure is fun, and the POWER under your control
as an engineer is incredible! And I am sure tne
trainees had experienced folks at their sides the
whole time. They got to do something very few
people get to do these days, and in a beautiful
part of the country.

This program is great for everyone -- the C&TS and
the public who go to he school.

tomstp Wrote:
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> One water tank you don't have to apply brakes to
> stop at. But, you do apply them to stay there!

You probably won't have a problem with the slack running in on a short train of light wooden freight cars, but the heavier steel passenger cars require a bit of air under them to keep them from running in when you stop at the water plug. Even if you stop on the 4% for whatever reason, you need to put some air under the train, otherwise it will roll in slightly, then snap backwards. If the train is heavy enough, you will need to keep some air set on the train as the engine brakes alone will not hold it.