Day 1 - Thursday 2/27/2020 - Travel from Houston, Tx to Chama, NM
I woke up at 2:40 AM to my 3 AM alarm. Laid in bed for about 15 minutes then got up got ready and was out the door by 3:15 for the roughly 45 minute drive north to the house of Jason Rose, arriving at 3:50am. Jason was up and already packing his truck for the trip. He has the same respect for snow and ice that I do and had his truck loaded down with a nice assortment of supplies in case the weather forecast turned bad. I got my gear settled in and we were on the road just after 4:00am. Our first stop was Wichita Falls, then Amarillo right around noon, then Espinola, with us arriving in Chama at 5:00pm mountain right at 14 hrs of driving for the 1000 miles. There was concern if there was enough snow for the plow to put on a good show and as we traveled up from the south, it wasn't looking promising but the last few hills as we neared Chama started to show some promise.
We got checked into our normal place to stay in Chama, The Hotel and headed up the pass to checkout the snow conditions. There was about 4 to 5 feet at the summit with some pretty deep spots north of the Colorado state line and at least a covering all the way from Chama. We will take it!
Back down in Chama, we followed the advice of friend, and The Hotel owner, Joe Kanocz, and tried a place just a few doors down called The Local. It seemed out of place for Chama but I think it is needed for the town. I did enjoy both the beer and the pizza! Dave Schaaf, a fellow narrow gauge aficionado, ran into us at The Hotel and joined us for dinner.
We got checked into our normal place to stay in Chama, The Hotel and headed up the pass to checkout the snow conditions. There was about 4 to 5 feet at the summit with some pretty deep spots north of the Colorado state line and at least a covering all the way from Chama. We will take it!
Back down in Chama, we followed the advice of friend, and The Hotel owner, Joe Kanocz, and tried a place just a few doors down called The Local. It seemed out of place for Chama but I think it is needed for the town. I did enjoy both the beer and the pizza! Dave Schaaf, a fellow narrow gauge aficionado, ran into us at The Hotel and joined us for dinner.
Day 2 - Friday 2/28/2020 - Pre Rotary Run Festivities
I was up pretty early and joined up with Jason for a stroll through the Chama yard. The 484 still appeared to be cold outside of the shops but it being one of my favorites, it was worth a shot. We walked around to the back of the shop to see 487 hot and positioned behind the guest of honor, who was still hidden. The 487 was sporting canvas cab curtains which was a nice tough for the weekend.
We then headed to breakfast at Fina's and were joined by John Cole and Ian Kelly. They were also part of the Friends organization and we were to help them fix the webcam that is located of the restroom building near the depot after breakfast. Fina's was filled with faces I had seen on past railroad trip and the food was hardy and wonderful!
We then headed back to the Chama yard and started the work on the camera. Jason and Steve Forney were the main brains behind the operation, I was pleased to be able to hand tools and carry ladders, which at 7800 feet elevation was a feat! With promising results from the work on the camera at the roof of the restroom, 487's whistle signaled something was moving in the yard. With assurances that everything was under control, I grabbed my camera and went to see what was up. The 487 was bringing the Rotary OY out of the shop. The 487 then picked up the support cars and moved to a position for us to get photos of the outfit. This was pretty much the train we will have tomorrow, minus second engine 484. It was a surreal sight! It's not a far stretch of the imagination that the 487 just brought OY over from the shops in Durango to clear Cumbres Pass, and 484 was to be added on in Chama. While the OY was normally based out of Alamosa, I am sure the shops in Durango did work on her at one time or another.
We then headed back to the Chama yard and started the work on the camera. Jason and Steve Forney were the main brains behind the operation, I was pleased to be able to hand tools and carry ladders, which at 7800 feet elevation was a feat! With promising results from the work on the camera at the roof of the restroom, 487's whistle signaled something was moving in the yard. With assurances that everything was under control, I grabbed my camera and went to see what was up. The 487 was bringing the Rotary OY out of the shop. The 487 then picked up the support cars and moved to a position for us to get photos of the outfit. This was pretty much the train we will have tomorrow, minus second engine 484. It was a surreal sight! It's not a far stretch of the imagination that the 487 just brought OY over from the shops in Durango to clear Cumbres Pass, and 484 was to be added on in Chama. While the OY was normally based out of Alamosa, I am sure the shops in Durango did work on her at one time or another.
The outfit sat in the yard for an hour or so and a group gathered to take it in. The 487 then retreated back to the shop and then onto the ash pit to have her and the OY's fires cleaned so the heard of rail fans followed it over. With the action pretty much done for the time being, we retreated to Subway for lunch and were joined by fellow Friend's members Greg Coit, Bill Kepner and Don Akinson for a big full table. After lunch, we headed back to the hotel. I got a second wind and headed down to the yard to see 487 moving 484 over to the ash pit to have her fire cleaned and saw them starting to fire up 463. The 463 was not to be used this weekend but was kept hot as a rescue engine if needed. Jason and the other Friends members had a meeting at 3 so that brought all of them into the yard.
The railroad was providing dinner this evening, as well as breakfast Saturday and Sunday and dinner Saturday evening at a parish hall at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Chama. So Jason and I walked over there at 5:15. Jason was to help with parking so I saved a table for the Friend's members working in the hall. Craig Lynn and his traveling companion Kirk joined me in saving the seats and sat with us. Dinner was by the same crew that serves food at Osier dinning hall and was likewise, fantastic. Noted railroad author Jerry Day did a presentation over the history of snow fighting on the Denver & Rio Grande Western which was very enjoyable!
We walked back to The Hotel, arriving at 9. I reserved the last room at the Hotel and it had two beds so I put the word out that I would be willing to split the room with someone. Leighton Moreland and Mark Huber spoke up and they were to drive down from Denver together arriving late on Friday. They didn't get in until just after midnight. We quickly said our hi's and hit the sack.
The railroad was providing dinner this evening, as well as breakfast Saturday and Sunday and dinner Saturday evening at a parish hall at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Chama. So Jason and I walked over there at 5:15. Jason was to help with parking so I saved a table for the Friend's members working in the hall. Craig Lynn and his traveling companion Kirk joined me in saving the seats and sat with us. Dinner was by the same crew that serves food at Osier dinning hall and was likewise, fantastic. Noted railroad author Jerry Day did a presentation over the history of snow fighting on the Denver & Rio Grande Western which was very enjoyable!
We walked back to The Hotel, arriving at 9. I reserved the last room at the Hotel and it had two beds so I put the word out that I would be willing to split the room with someone. Leighton Moreland and Mark Huber spoke up and they were to drive down from Denver together arriving late on Friday. They didn't get in until just after midnight. We quickly said our hi's and hit the sack.