John West Wrote:
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> Great video Greg. I especially like the opening
> scene, that's one of my favorite spots. Yes,
> those 1992 charters organized by John Craft were
> about as good as it gets. In addition to
> authentic consists, the fact that John was able to
> sell two weekends, and then add in the mid-week
> three engine afternoon Cumbres turn made it much
> like the old times, when you camped out in Chama
> and spent an entire week picking your spots. I had
> a rented Taurus and it covered some ground Hertz
> never would have approved (but carefully and
> without damage).
>
> JBWX
Two additional stories related to my vehicle on this trip.
(1) One of the two days prior to the end of the season I ventured back to Osier on the dirt road to try to get some remote shots of the regular trains. I stupidly tried to get to the other side of the river, by driving my Dodge Min-van(with Kathi and Heather inside) down there. I had seen a pick-up down there and thought If I could get to the river I could get back up the other side some to gain elevation. Thats what my dad and I did in 1961 to get distant views across the valley of 494 and 495 on a long westbound freight. However there used to be a bridge across in the 60's!!!
Well in 1992 we were bouncing up and down as we went downgrade and kept hitting big rocks. Finally I decided this was nuts and found a place to gingerly turn around, near the bottom, then had to go all the way back up hitting more rocks. So, I hear the WB coming and set up near the tank. While waiting by the camera I looked toward the van and there was this liquid dripping down onto the ground under the engine. It was oil!!!
Packed up quickly and drove the 10 miles out to the highway. Luckily there was a septic tank truck near the highway just finishing a house, and he had 5 quarts of oil on him, which I bought. Drove to Antonito where this repair shop put some kind of blue stuff on the hole on the oil pan. Drove over the hill to Chama, and it was leaking again. Found a garrage in Chama and they welded the crack on the oil pan without even taking it off.....It held until I got rid of the van in 1999 or whenever it was.
(2) Had to use that van assisting Craft as well as steam stuff. On the Wednesday before the final weekend it was my job as assistant to the Craftmeister, to drive to Santa Fe for food and beverage supplies at this huge super market. We had 3 shopping cars full of stuff, and they asked us if we were having a big party!!! It filled the mini-van, which was a large Dodge Caravan. So while John was enjoying a couple of off days shooting in Durango, I was working hard.... All for steam, eh!!
I always felt these were ground-breaking trips, and I totally agree that considering the magnitude of days operated and the little extras involved like riding on a flat car shooting a helper that these were pretty amazing trips. These really did give the feel for what the old D&RGW days were like, and as I recall the mid-train helpers out of Antonito that John ran were the first since the 60's. I had a tough time selecting clips for the preview, there was so much. Finally had to start inserting with the narrative and go with it. One of my favs was the glint at Windy Point on the Friday trip, and the little bonus freight at Apache Canyon glint with 484. All unique lighting to get.
Glad I did these when I was younger though!!!
Greg
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/28/2010 07:41AM by Greg Scholl.
