Chama Steam VIII - 2009

October 17-25, 2009

 

Trip Report

Day 7 - Friday

Gato - Chama

 

Over the past 4 years one of my big objectives has been to see Gato / Pagosa Junction. I didn't want to risk it on Monday with the truck making crazy noises. But, now that I had that issue resolved I felt confident enough to head west and FINALLY explore the old Right of Way between Chama and Durango on the way to Gato. As I was getting ready to leave, however, I read a report from Jay on the Goat that all four K36's were hot by the engine house. I couldn't let this pass by, so off to the yard I went.

 

Left to Right

488, 484 (in back), 489, 487 (inside)

 

487 was in the engine house

 

Looking west

towards Durango

     
Before leaving town for Gato, I headed over to the The Trackside Emporium to redeem the gift certificate my mom gave me for my birthday. I'd never been in there, but WOW! they have a huge selection of books. I could drop some serious cash in there if given the chance. As it was I left with 3 books and a DVD. Owners Bob and Sylvia were very warm and gracious and even complimented me on the pictures I had posted on the Goat that week. I'll be visiting them on my next trip, hopefully with more money to spend!
     

End of tack west of Chama.

The C&T uses this area to load / offload visiting equipment such as DRGW 315 and RGS Motor 5

Looking west towards Durango

Looking east towards Chama past the end of track. This is what it would look like bringing a train into Chama

from Durango.

Stock cars marooned in Dulce. They sure need some TLC.

Heading west to

Navajo Tank

 

 

Navajo Tank

 

Heading west past

Navajo Tank

 

 

 

 

A few hundred yards past Navajo Tank the pavement ends. The road was muddy, but easily passable...  at first. All the rain from Wednesday hadn't had a chance to evaporate. The further I went the worse the roads got. I kept pushing on, probably past the point I should've thrown in the towel. After about 10 more minutes and several spinouts I conceded defeat and found an area wide enough and dry enough to turn around. The elusive Pagosa Junction will have to wait for another day on another trip.

 

Disappointed, I returned to Chama, stopping to get more pictures of the old Right of Way as I went. The day wasn't a total loss though. I got back just in time for the Shop Tour that's included in Chama Steam. Had I made it to Gato I would've missed what turned out to be a great tour.

 

 

 

The mud here wasn't bad at all, but further along it got deep and wet

 

Navajo Tank and Trestle

My truck on the ROW

 

 

 

 

I'm betting this standard gauge boxcar didn't arrive via 3 foot iron

Another shot of the

stock cars in Dulce

In Dulce

 Lumberton, NM

Monero Canyon

I traced out the ROW on several shots to make it

easier to discern

Monero, NM

Site of trestle in

Monero Canyon

 

 

Location where ROW crossed Hwy 64 east of Monero

Just east of

Monero Canyon

Looks like a NG Boxcar / MOW car east of Monero along Hwy 64. Does anyone know the story on this?

ROW crosses 64/84 about 10 west of Chama - Looking west

ROW crosses 64/84 about 10 west of Chama - Looking east

Tail of Chama Wye

Tail of Chama Wye

Chama Wye

<- West Leg - East Leg->

East Leg and Stock Pens

New roof being put on

Chama Depot

K27 463 frame and running gear

K36 487 in engine house

New paint job in the

engine house

487's stack

 

Looking through window

 in the machine shop

C16 boiler in Chama Roundhouse

 

 

Original Roundhouse Central Heating Unit

Close-up of the

coal burning stove

C18 315

 

 

Smokebox on 315

497 is the only K37 to operate since the Rio Grande abandoned all narrow gauge operations in 1968

497 is scheduled to go into the shop once 463 is completed late next summer

Boiler from 463 and our tour guide Shop Manager Michelle Martin

This 1800 lbs oak beam will become the pilot on 463 next summer

The Friends of the C&T have done a fantastic job replacing the telegraph poles in the yard from the wye to the river

489 - 488 - 484

The completed train for Saturday's excursion

 

 

Conductors view from 0579 looking west towards Durango

 

A few final shots in the wonderful afternoon light in Chama Yard

 

 

 

I met Steve Forney and Sam Seiber in the bar at Fosters for a few cold ones. Truth be told, I'm not a big drinker and this was my first visit to the bar. I've been using the backdoor to get to the restaurant. Jay came in several times throughout the evening and I got to meet his wife, Jean, for the first time. I also got to meet the infamous Bill Noe. Many stories were told and tales spun. It was a fun night.

 

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