CRM Executive Director Don Tallman offered (those of us that were crazy enough) the opportunity to photograph the Goose fleet at dawn. On this particular day, dawn came at precisely 0532. We met around 0430, which meant having to get out of bed at 0330. Trying as that was, the results proved worth the effort.

Don was even good enough to get bagels for breakfast. He's a classy guy.

Please let me know if you find mistakes - RioGrandeDude  @ SmittysHouse.net

The flock in beautiful morning light

Colorado & Northwestern #30

K37 #491

Inside Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Business Car #96

Inside Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Business Car #96

Inside Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Business Car #96

Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Business Car #96

Breaker box onboard Inside Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Business Car #96

After the photo shoot and tour of CB&Q #96, I said my goodbyes to Barry, Blake, and Steve and set out for Chama. Heading southwest from Denver allowed me to see some new and unexplored country. US 285 generally runs parallel to the long-abandoned grade of the Denver, South Park, and Pacific. The last train ran this line 1937 (not including the clean-up runs) but the grade of the right-of-way was clearly visible. Heck, there were long stretches where the telegraph poles were still intact! VERY COOL!

At Kenosha Pass, I stopped to check

out the partially rebuilt wye.

The Jefferson Depot

The Jefferson Depot in a more sedate paint scheme...

Naturally I had to stop at Como for a quick look around.

Como Eating House & Depot (above)

DSP&P Depot

DSP&P Roundhouse

Dropping down Poncha Pass into the San Luis Valley

A few hours later i stopped in Alamosa for a quick look around and a bite to eat.

30 minutes later I arrived in Antonito and stopped to check out the new Car Storage Shed being constructed by the Friends. I ran into Ed Lowrance and "Fuzzy" and lent a hand loading a tractor onto a flatbed trailer. After that I joined them for lunch (I had coffee) and then finished the trip over the hill to Chama. The rest of the day is pretty fuzzy. After arriving in Chama I checked in with the Friends and completed my paperwork. I also got a chance to meet my Team Leader, John Engs. I think I hit Fosters for dinner and turned in early. It was a long day.