Hi, all -
GOOD NEWS!!!
Alan Loomis called this morning, and he definitely wants to do a re-enactment
of the First Train into Chama on September 6, 1970. Because there is already so
much scheduled for Friday, Saturday & Sunday, August 27-28-29, this will most likely
happen on the afternoon of Monday, August 30. Details will be posted as soon as they
have been finalized; the
tentative plans are:
The operable engine painted up to stand in as #483 in her movie makeup will pull a special train to Cumbres Pass in the early afternoon. Per the photos on [
ngdiscussion.net], the train will consist of two boxcars, a drop-bottom gon, a rider gon, a rider boxcar and a caboose. (The rider gon and rider boxcar will be substituting for one of the drop-bottom gons and one of the boxcars used on 09/06/70.) The train will turn on the wye at Cumbres, and head back down the pass to Lobato Siding where some switching will be done as on 09/06/70 - but with the two boxcars behind the engine and the two gons, the rider boxcar and the caboose leading. After the regular westbound passenger train passes, the special will proceed through the narrows - where the clearing of the tracks by volunteers will be re-enacted - as far as the Highway 17 grade crossing.
For several practical reasons, a re-enactment of the tearing up of the asphalt at the crossing and the replacement of damaged track with two lengths of rail "borrowed" from the D&RGW will NOT be held. A brief ceremony WILL mark this episode, however, as it was essentially the 'Golden Spike' of the C&TS. Afterward, the train will proceed into town for additional ceremonies, hopefully a Bar-B-Que and/or Chili Cook-Off, and some participatory musical entertainment. There will undoubtedly be a few run-bys and photo ops for passengers on the re-enactment special - details are yet to be arranged. The activities at Lobato, The Narrows, and the Grade Crossing should be easy for spectators to observe from Highway 17.
A repeat of Ernie Robart's Sunday evening slide show and presentation on the early days of the C&TS will probably be held again on Monday evening after the BBQ.
It is our intent to invite as many of the volunteers from the summer of 1970 as can be located to ride the special free of charge. Ernie has extensive and detailed notes as to the participants in the Rescue and Resuscitation of the Railroad, and we hope to work with him in tracking down as many of those still living as possible and to ask them to participate in the re-enactment. We presume that these volunteers will not take up all of the space available on the rider gon, the rider boxcar and the caboose. A limited number of seats will probably be sold to the general public after the number available has been determined, the price of these seats is yet to be decided upon.
- Russ
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 04/14/2010 07:15AM by Russo Loco.
aint scheme question
