Steam & Excursion > Best Narrow Gauge Photo Freight Ever?

Nine  years ago a Lerro event on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic. Thirty five cars with a swing helper. Bill Webb



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/18/24 12:50 by spider1319.

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Wow, yeah! Was there also a pusher?

There were three that would be candidates in my mind, if recreating the DRGW ng. in the 1950's was the goal:  the John Craft charters in 1992, the Lerro/Farrails charters in 2012, and the HTP charter in 2014 run by Michael Allen. The posted picture is of the 2014 charter, I was apparently standing right beside Bill and have an almost identical picture. The more interesting question is will long two engine trains like that ever be run again, they are VERY expensive, take a lot of organizational effort both by the charterer and the railroad, and the pool of ancient railfans with a nostalgic tie to the DRGW in its last years is shrinking dramatically.  The only good news is the Friends do a good job of keeping  a lot of the freight cars in operable condition.  Pete did run a two engine Cumbres turn last October, but the recent charters mostly seem to focus on smaller engines, short trains, and an earlier era....cheaper and easier to run.  But nowhere near as dramatic as the big train Bill pictured above.

JBWX

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/18/24 10:25 by jbwest.

And, right now, C&TS has about 20-25 cars operable that could be used for a freight charter. There will be some opportunities next year for the 100th anniversary of the K-36 class.

It was (rumored at least) $10K per day for a single engine charter, so maybe $15K now, so a multiple day doubleheader with an
unwieldy 50 participants would still be close to $2000, at least $1500 and as you say the pool is shrinking. Doesn't help either that
access on the East side is so much better than in years past and the "freeloaders" would have a picnic.

Out 

callum_out Wrote:
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> It was (rumored at least) $10K per day for a
> single engine charter, so maybe $15K now, so a
> multiple day doubleheader with an
> unwieldy 50 participants would still be close to
> $2000, at least $1500 and as you say the pool is
> shrinking. Doesn't help either that
> access on the East side is so much better than in
> years past and the "freeloaders" would have a
> picnic.
>
> Out 


I won't get into pricing specifics, having hosted an event with the railroad last year. I will simply say, people need to support charters – or they won't exist. It takes a lot of time, effort, and, yes, money to make them happen.

With some changes, such as a certain train magazine and more railroads less interested in hosting photography-focused events, there will be fewer and fewer events for photographers (or those wanting access to freight, rare mileage, etc.) in the near future. 

We sure enjoyed a couple of Jay's triple headers with 30 plus cars and access to Labato Trestle.  Fun times.

Jim Barton

Amen to that, fond memories of riding over Lobato on the back of a tender of a K36.

Out 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/24 20:59 by callum_out.

Obviously the participants needed to be transported by rail to these locations, but in a conveyance separate from the photo train.  What would they use?

John West was a huge help in the recreation that Lerro put on. And, the recreation of the sixties and and fifties is my primary interest. Having seen the end of the narrow gauge by the DRGW as a teenager in the sixties fortifies this. Bill Webb

JayBee:

We ran some great trips back in the day, and had more fun that we deserved to have.  I got the best deal though, I got paid to be on them.  One of the great perks of working for the C&TS was that I got to participate in a lot of phot charters, that i otherwise could never have afforded to ride.

E Knoob
Retired Supt. C&TS RR

Great catch!

Part of me thinks it looks more like a model railroad.

Matthew

Earl, I was looking for that picture you took of the crowd at Cascade as seen from the engine cab, but my copy is lost.  Maybe you could repost it.

JBWX 

Earlk Wrote:
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> JayBee:
>
> We ran some great trips back in the day, and had
> more fun that we deserved to have.  I got the
> best deal though, I got paid to be on them.  One
> of the great perks of working for the C&TS was
> that I got to participate in a lot of phot
> charters, that i otherwise could never have
> afforded to ride.
>
> E Knoob
> Retired Supt. C&TS RR

To Elesco's question, modus operandi is to haul everyone on the train to a spot, get off
and hoof it to your photo spot. Train backs up and does a runby for the photogs, stops
and everyone gets back on. This is why some charters need a crew change to get back 
to their home terminal. 

Out 

The conveyance is not necessarily different from the photo train. Sometimes there could be a seperate train for the photographers to ride, but also several of the gondolas are fitted to ride in, as well as several box cars. These are kept together just ahead of the caboose. This year's charters were operated this way. 

The main reason for needing two crews, at least for Pete Lerro's trips, were the plan to be at Ferguson's Trestle (or Lava Tank) before sunrise, and being out on the line all the way until after sunset. The morning departure would be at 5:45 AM, and the evening arrival was generally not until around 7:30 PM.

Scott Gordon 

Neen on a trip or two where the photo stops (planned and unplanned) have added greatly to
the schedule. 

Out 

I don't think these event are advertised well and I never hear about them until after the fact.

The Friends advertise internally to their members which usually fills up a train and Lerro advertises
by reputation and word of mouth. TRAINS did most of their advert in the magazine/website so it
usually takes a bit of looking to find trains.

Out 

mococomike Wrote:
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> I don't think these event are advertised well and
> I never hear about them until after the fact.

Not to self-promote, but sign up here if you want to hear about some 2025 events: steamcharters.com. Maybe even something in Colorado...

Thanks Dak and Callumout