"Springtime in the Rockies" May 25 - It's a GO!!!

There was ONE Caboose Ticket left last week - at $250 - but I think it's gone.
Fewer than twenty rider-boxcar tickets are still available, at $215 each.
Please phone the Cumbres & Toltec at 1-888-286-2737 and ask for Ronnica.*

See the C&TS Special Events Page, [www.cumbrestoltec.com], for more information.



Hello, everybody -

As most of you are probably aware by now, on May 21, 1950, D&RGW locomotive #489 pulled a train chartered by the Rocky Mountain RR Club on an excursion from Salida to Monarch Pass, and then over Poncha Pass to Villa Grove before returning to Salida. #489 was specially painted with D&RGW Dark Olive Green Boiler Jacket Enamel for this excursion.   This is the ONLY occasion on which a K-36 locomotive is KNOWN to have worn a dark olive green jacket.

Here's a photo of the train taken by Donald G. Hills, posted with the kind permission of his son Wayne:


As you are probably also aware, for several months I have been pushing for a commemorative excursion on the Sixtieth Anniversary of this RMRRC charter, and the painting of engine #489 as closely as possible in the colors she wore on May 21, 1950.   When the Rocky Mountain RR Club was unable to make a firm commitment to sponsor this trip, I offered to help with the down payment - using my share of the money that has been pledged to the "#489 Season in Green" fund.   Believe it or not, this proposal has been approved by the C&TS!!   Just this morning (03/22), I faxed a signed copy of the charter agreement to Alan Loomis, and later today wired a down-payment to him for a commemorative charter on Tuesday afternoon and evening, May 25, 2010.

Just to clear up some of the smoke that's been clouding this project, here's what is in the works for May 25 right now. The following is subject to change - there are still some minor details to be worked out.

This trip will NOT be a re-creation of the May 21, 1950 RMRRC charter;  the C&TS does not have any Pullman green passenger equipment at this time, and the replica of the Silver Vista lives in Durango, not Antonito.   Our train will probably consist of 12 cars as follows: 2 reefers, 3 stock cars, 2 drop bottom gons, 1 open rider gon, 1 rider boxcar, concession car #3244, and the two long cabooses.   This will NOT be a luxury trip - it is intended for serious photographers who don't mind "roughing it" a little in order to get a few special pictures.   This excursion is limited to just fifty (50) passengers to keep the photo lines manageable and to ensure a unique and quality experience for all participants.   If ticket sales exceed the total costs of the trip, the proceeds will be used either to support the C&TS 40th Anniversary Celebration in August, toward the restoration of a K-37, and/or to some other worthwhile narrow-gauge preservation project.

Weather in the Rockies in May is utterly unpredictable, with one big exception - it WILL be COLD at Osier AND on the train after dark. Bring WARM clothing and rain gear. In consideration of your fellow photographers, please wear dark, unobtrusive clothing that will not show up in their pictures should you wish to remain aboard the train at any of the photo stops.

The train will leave Antonito, Colorado at 1:00 p.m. sharp in order to take advantage of the afternoon sun on a westbound train. There will be several run-bys, some of which will be at locations never before used for this purpose. The schedule is being planned so that a run-by can be held at Rock Tunnel with the engine bursting forth into the late afternoon sun (assuming that the weather cooperates), and we are hoping to have a run-by between mileposts 317 and 318 that will illuminate the train with evening sunlight while the nearly full moon rises behind it - something approximating the following Photoshopped composite, but with a much different train (and the bright green leaves of aspen in spring, not the autumn gold shown here):



After arriving in Osier there will be two evening photo ops at the water tower; one with the engine westbound before it is turned on the loop, and one with the engine eastbound; Michael Ripley has offered to provide supplemental lighting for these (see [ngdiscussion.net] for an example of his work). It is possible that each of these night shoots will be a double session, with half of the passengers having dinner while the other half takes photos, and then switching the two groups - details for the evening meal and photo ops are yet to be finalized.

After the meal and photo sessions at Osier, the train will return to Antonito under the light of a nearly full moon, with arrival expected to be at about 10:30 p.m.   We suggest staying at the Narrow Gauge Railroad Inn, adjacent to the depot in Antonito, for at least Tuesday evening after arrival or both the night before, May 24, and the night of our late return, May 25.   Phone 1-719-376-5441 for reservations.

Per [ngdiscussion.net], DRESS WARMLY!!   DRESS VERY WARMLY - but in LAYERS!!!   ... and don't forget your camera!!!!

- Russ

* Donors to the "#489 Season in Green" paint fund, listed on [ngdiscussion.net], please contact me via a private message to arrange for a discount on your tickets.



Edited 20 time(s). Last edit at 11/13/2011 08:43AM by Russo Loco.