Prototypical Chama yard ops

I asked this question in an earlier thread and it may have gotten lost. Back in the 60's was there a routine in the way the Chama tracks were used. Typically trains would meet at Chama for the night. I'm guessing there was a routine in terms of how the trains pulled into the yard and how they did their switching. Here is an image from that era:



Here is my guess. The westbound train, because it would have less work to do, would pull into the track closest to the depot. The tank cars (until the refinery closed in 1964) and whatever other cars were in the train for Chama would be on the head end, and could be easily set over into the yard from the west end.

The eastbound train, because it would be divided into cuts to go up the hill, would pull into one of the south side yard tracks, and would be worked from the east end.

Associated with all this are the tracks around what was left of the roundhouse. Where were the "ready" locomotives stored.

And which crews did what switching (the mill, the Gramps load out, etc.)

Can anyone confirm whether my guess is correct and perhaps add some details. I was too busy taking pix to pay enough attention.

A couple of notes about the picture. Its was taken in 1967 when trains had gotten shorter. I think the eastbound went up the hill in two cuts not three. So the yard is less full than in earlier years. Also the eastbound had two cabooses...I think that was the train that had a caboose load of Trains mag folks.

JBWX



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 08/21/2013 12:52PM by John West.