BrianJ Wrote:
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> Very interesting stuff. I always assumed that the
> 483 pulled the first train. What were the
> circumstances that lead to the 484 doing the
> honors? I mean the 483 was hot the year before and
> the 484 wasn't.
>
> That also led me to other questions about early
> C&TS events:
> 1. When (about when) were each of the engines
> brought back to life?
> 2. How did everything make it to Chama? Thinking
> only the 483 was running in 1970 and the bridges
> only could handle one engine at a time. Was it one
> long consists with engines spaced ever 5 cars?
> Think of that stress on those wooden cars...
> 3. How was the schedule kept up with only two?
> engines. Seems like there were many different
> runs.
>
> Thanks, great topic!
Rich might be able to comment on why 484 started the 1971 season. 484 needed a flue extension from the FRA to run as it had been flued by the Grande in 1965.
483 ran 1970-1977
484 1971-1974, 1976-1980, 1985 onward
487 reflued in 1973 ran to 1986, then 1988 onward.
488 entered service in 1979
489 entered service in 1981
The 483 brought all the equipment to Chama in 10-30 car trains. One dead engine at a time, cut back in the train. 494 and 495 never came over the hill. We hauled 495 across the hill in 1982 to use her drivers under 484. A few years later we hauled her back to Antonito for display.
The 1971 schedule evolved as the summer went on. The trains would run from Chama or Antonito for a few weeks doing round trips to Big Horn (from Chama) or Cumbres (from Antonito). Then there would be a one-way trip to the other end with bus transportation on the return leg, followed by a few weeks of running from the other end. As the season went on and Rich and gang got more more confident in the railroad, they began adding shorter trips mid week (Antonito-Sublette and Chama-Cumbres) All this was done with one locomotive - mostly 484 as 483 ws not repainted and put back in service until September.