Springtime in the Rockies

After driving straight through from Austin, Tx, we arrived in Chama and went up the pass to watch the morning passenger train finish its assault on the pass. We then retreated to Chama to eat and rest after driving all night with a trip out to the Chama yard to explore a little and watch the returning passenger train arrive.

On Tuesday, we watched the morning passenger train depart and followed it up the pass. From there, we traveled out to Antonito where I got on the charter, which left at 1:00pm if memory serves me right.

The charter was a short freight that the 489 easily handled and was supposed to be the 489 on a freight just after its was on the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club charter but before it has had its green boiler jacket painted back black. We did a good number of runbys in the georgeous afternoon sun as we worked to Osier. We backed into the Big Horn 'y' to meet the passenger train rolling to Antonito. We were able to get fantastic photos of the 489 at rock tunnel in the late afternoon sun! After a good meal in Osier, and the train ran around the loop, we rolled back to Antonito in the dark. I caught a ride back over to Chama to meet back up with the family.

The next morning involved us watching the morning passenger train get prepared in Chama. We then watched it depart past the first grade crossing and headed for Durango.

Safe Travels,
B (& E in Spirit)

To Part 2