Steam & Excursion > CT&S Lerro excursion, part 1 - D&RG #168

From October 21 - October 25, Lerro Productions put on a very large 5 day charter over the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic between Antonito, CO and Chama, NM.  Unlike the previous charter in 2021, it included working from Chama to Osier as well.   315 was down with boiler issues, so locomotives used were #168, K-27 463 K36's 488 and 489, plus a variety of double heading situations.

Day 1 featured #168 and the vintage passenger coaches all restored by Stathi Pappas and his team during his time at the CT&S.

Photo 1 and 2: #168 at Ferguson's Trestle, sunrise, with vintage passenger car train.
Photo 3:  In the desert somewhere beteween Lava and Big Horn.

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/28/24 09:37 by Harlock.

---

---

---

Photo 1 - Approaching Sublette in the last of the fall colors.
Photo 2 - Big Horn Curve, near Big Horn Wye.
Photo 3 - Coming around the big balloon loop at Lava.

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/28/24 11:04 by Harlock.

---

---

---

Photo 1: Glint light approaching Antonito at sunset.
Photo 2: changing out a bad bulb at Sublette.
Photo 3: Dawn going away shot at Ferguson's.

Thanks for looking!

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/28/24 11:05 by Harlock.

---

---

---

These photos are fantastic!

Matthew

Great photos!  Lerro is doing a private thing with ATSF 2926 today and tomorrow.
Bryan

Great coverage of a wonderful (sold out-?) photo charter.  Where is Stathi Pappas these days-?

cozephyr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
Where is Stathi Pappas these days-?

Pretty sure he is in Alamosa.
Bryan in AQ

Chico56 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> cozephyr Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> Where is Stathi Pappas these days-?
>
> Pretty sure he is in Alamosa.
> Bryan in AQ

Ft. Bragg CA
 

ATSF1129 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Chico56 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > cozephyr Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > Where is Stathi Pappas these days-?
> >
> > Pretty sure he is in Alamosa.
> > Bryan in AQ
>
> Ft. Bragg CA

I stand corrected, last I heard he was in Alamosa, thanks for the updated info.

 

No, he and his locomotive are on the California Western, such as it is.

Out 

Beautiful photography!
GK

Looks like beautiful weather to make it even better.  Great work!

Thank you for the kind words and interest. I am indeed in Fort Bragg, CA as general manager of the Skunk team/California Western Railroad/Mendocino Railway.

In this time we have grown the team to around 40 employees, rebuilt the roundhouse (850k project), embarked on a coach fleet rebuild program, and track rehabilitation. We have added products to the pantheon including our new Glen Blair Bar which brought in over a million dollars in its first year. We are now profitable and growing year over year and some of the best news can be found here:

https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-announces-314-million-loan-upgrade-critical-rail-lines

The award of this federal loan will allow us to accomplish the heavy lifting on the middle section of the railroad for full functionality.

In 2023 we hauled over 93,000 passengers and this year we are on deck to exceed this amount. I hope to see you all here at the Skunk!

Stathi

Efstathios I Pappas
General Manager
Skunk Train
Www.SkunkTrain.com

We are anxiously awaiting more!  Thanks for posting Part 1 so promptly.

JBWX

PorterNo2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thank you for the kind words and interest. I am
> indeed in Fort Bragg, CA as general manager of the
> Skunk team/California Western Railroad/Mendocino
> Railway.
>
> In this time we have grown the team to around 40
> employees, rebuilt the roundhouse (850k project),
> embarked on a coach fleet rebuild program, and
> track rehabilitation. We have added products to
> the pantheon including our new Glen Blair Bar
> which brought in over a million dollars in its
> first year. We are now profitable and growing year
> over year and some of the best news can be found
> here:
>
> https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-de
> partment-transportation-announces-314-million-loan
> -upgrade-critical-rail-lines
>
> The award of this federal loan will allow us to
> accomplish the heavy lifting on the middle section
> of the railroad for full functionality.
>
> In 2023 we hauled over 93,000 passengers and this
> year we are on deck to exceed this amount. I hope
> to see you all here at the Skunk!
>
> Stathi
>
> Efstathios I Pappas
> General Manager
> Skunk Train
> Www.SkunkTrain.com

Does the DOT grant get you just to Willits or does it include the track south from there to Santa Rosa? What's the status of the rails to trails fight?

The Rrif is for the California Western, so Fort Bragg to Willits. As for the rails to trails fight, that is currently in the courts.

Best

Stathi

Posted from iPhone

All wonderful images, but my favorite is the Sublette scene including the DRGW gondola which kind of looks like a working RR.

Spectacular; Thanks for sharing!

Great shots!!