Chama Yard on the Cumbres & Toltec RR

Visiting Cumbres & Toltec RR here in Chama, New Mexico

We will ride the tourist train tomorrow up to and back from Osier. Today, however, I went down to yard this afternoon after the tourists all departed from their ride during the day, when the real action begins as the road crew switches out tomorrow's consist, then the yard hostelers clean and ready the engine for tomorrow's duty. did you see this? watched them switch out, wash the coal, dump ashes, wow.. walked all over.

If there is such a thing as "railroad heaven". Doesn't get much better than this. Like it was back in early 50's when my father was a railroader, and in some ways like it was when my grandfather worked for old OWR&N railroad 100 yrs ago as an engine hosteler in Starbuck, Washington. I could smell the coal cinders and remembered them from my childhood days in summer out with my father.

I spent 3 hours until sundown in the cold wind freezing to get the latest photos and video. And to top it off, Sraddha made fresh minestrone soup when I got back to trailer. (last photo in album).

local internet isn't letting me upload video. may have to wait until home for that

And, no, I won't be switching to Narrow guage modeling...too much work but really neat.

And, no, I won't be switching to Narrow guage modeling...too much work but really neat.
Photos here.

Galloping Goose and Dolores, Colorado

first, we are staying at Dolores, CO, RV park. found it in AAA camping book. this is about 30 minutes north of Mesa Verde where spouse really really wanted to visit.

As we are driving into town I see a sign at a station on the left that says "Denver & Rio Grande Southern". Yes, I have heard of it. in fact know that there are a lot of narrow-minded, er...narrow guage guys who model this. Hmm. museum...hmm. so today, after 1.5 days of looking at cliff dwellings, I finally get to stop and take a look.. WOW. see attached photo. Didn't realize Dolores essentially midpoint of DRGS between Ridgeway (never heard of until today) and Durango (where I am headed on Saturday to ride a train). not only that, but it is home to the Galloping Goose #5 and I have that model at home. however, sigh, the Goose is over running in Chama this weekend and coming back here on Monday. Wait. we are going ot Chama on Monday...darn..
anyway, still a find. amazing what you find when you are not looking. (or don't find).

well, onto other trains.