Engine 315 in the snow, May 25-26, 2019

This year's snowy winter finally brought some long-sought and unique photo opportunities that show 315 running in a deep snow. Rio Grande era photos of 315 frequently show 315 in dramatic settings but never in snow. 315 did run thru some deep snow and a howling blizzard over Cumbres last October, but I have yet to retrieve the October video from a camera hiccup, so seeing 315 in snow on the May 4 and 5 runs was really special. This was also only the second time I have witnessed a Chama-Cumbres helper cutting off and running light to Antonito IN SNOW. The first time was on February 2, 1964 when 488 ran ahead of 480 after the third turn up Cumbres. Of course back then getting to Cumbres was difficult, and getting beyond pretty much impossible. Catching an east-bound double header was pretty much impossible in snow also - trains had rear end helpers, or by early winter 1967 only a single engine.

Here is my only previous light engine helper IN SNOW view, below Tanglefoot curve on February 2, 1964



To avoid duplicating Dick Bell's outstanding photos, I am starting the 315-in-snow series at the Coxo phone booth (The NGDF decided to change the order of the photos by number rather than my selection, but the proper sequence should be obvious)

Here 315 is first poking her head out of the aspens









Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/02/2019 10:23PM by Olaf Rasmussen.