Steam & Excursion > A few from Chama

We were in Chama on the way to a convention and stayed a few days for a parlor car ride and to photograph the railroad. The first day in we caught the train at Cumbres and the usual shots were taken including Cresco tank, that nice little S curve and on into the yard.

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I noticed as they backed down to the water tank that they missed the hatch and stopped with the spout over the coal pile. What happened next was interesting, they proceeded to wash the coal in the tender creating a river of black water that cascaded out of the gangway. I was told this was done to remove the fines in the coal to help control hot cinders. That and the presence of 2 fire patrols indicated a concern for the danger fire represents. There were 3 hot in Chama that night and by luck of the draw 489 was on our train the next morning. It is one of my favorites because of the Santa Fe 6 chime whistle.

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Nice pics!!  My favorite is Pic 5!!

Great pictures, thanks for sharing.
Pat
South Austin, TX

On the 488's Snowplow, has the coupler been mounted further forward on another beam?
It sure looks that way.
Thanks for your consideration.

James R.(Jim) Baker
Whittier, CA

All are great photos and as a retired railroader myself I do enjoy the human side of railroading too and seeing the young man servicing the locomotive is a great photo too. Thanks for sharing.

Bob Krieger
Cheyenne, WY

Awesome photos. Well deserved IOTD.

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Very enjoyable images of the Chama operation.  Image #2 is my favorite.  If you haven't
been to Chama then put it on your wish list.  You won't regret it.

Washing the coal is now normal procedure since all the fire issues last year. It gets the duct off of the coal which reduces cinders.

Sharon Evans
Glen Allen, VA

Happy IOTD!

John William

JimBaker Wrote:
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> On the 488's Snowplow, has the coupler been
> mounted further forward on another beam?
> It sure looks that way.
> Thanks for your consideration.

The C&TS has two types of pilot plows.  The one seen on 487 uses a wooden pilot beam behind the plow.  The stock pilot beam is removed and replaced  with the wooden beam.

488 has a steel beam plow.  The stock pilot beam is retained.  The pilot cage and corner steps are removed and the plow is bolted on over the beam, with the ends of the beam sticking out both sides.

Relative to the position of the plow to the boiler and frame, both plows are the same.

Many thanks for the snowplow informatiom, EarlK.
Now, I am the wiser.

James R.(Jim) Baker
Whittier, CA

Nice series! Congratulations on IOTD. You can't beat narrow gauge steam taking you back in time. You haven't missed anything that exciting through Catoosa.

PQM

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