Re: TRDR 2012 - Expanding on JBWX' dream ... 
| August 12, 2011 07:50PM |
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John West Wrote:
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> ... for example if they do need a helper Saturday
> on the regular train, perhaps that engine could
> continue east and meet us at say Sublette for
> our afternoon and evening trip west. Lots to
> dream about ...
If said helper highballs from Cumbres to Big Horn, stopping only for the crew to grab a quick bite at Osier, she could turn on the wye at Big Horn, and wait for us on the west leg. It shouldn't take too long to split our train about 2/3 of the way back, slip in the helper, and proceed to Sublette for a meet with the eastbound passenger train at - what time? - 2:25 or so?? That would require our train to leave Antonito by noon at the latest to allow for a run-by or two before Big Horn - but the sun is much lower in late September than early July, so the lighting shouldn't be a problem so long as Mother Nature is somewhat kind to us. If the helper crew runs short of time later on, only a two-man engine crew would be needed for relief or if necessary the helper could be dropped off at Los Piños or Cumbres with just a night watchman and retrieved the next day.
And what if the road engine for the westbound passenger train Sept. 28 is #463,* assuming she is operational by then. #463 should be able to handle a westbound train by herself, serve as a helper from Chama to Cumbres on the 29th,* and then become the road engine from Cumbres to Antonito while the K-36 she was assisting runs ahead to Big Horn as described above. This scenario would give us two photo ops with #463 at meets, but otherwise leave our train as authentic a re-creation of the 1960's as possible ...
The only remaining significant problem - assuming the C&TS approves all of this for the dates proposed and crews are available - is getting the two loaded pipe gons and their three idler flats to Antonito for use with the westbound train, as loaded pipe gons would not be appropriate in an authentic eastbound freight.
- The Curmudgeon's Apprentice
* Or October 27 & 28, respectively, if a potential conflict with the Rocky Club forces a change of dates. September 27 & 28 - a Thursday & Friday - would probably also work O-K for John's charter, but would require some attendees to take an extra day of vacation.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 08/12/2011 08:15PM by Russo Loco.
-------------------------------------------------------
> ... for example if they do need a helper Saturday
> on the regular train, perhaps that engine could
> continue east and meet us at say Sublette for
> our afternoon and evening trip west. Lots to
> dream about ...
If said helper highballs from Cumbres to Big Horn, stopping only for the crew to grab a quick bite at Osier, she could turn on the wye at Big Horn, and wait for us on the west leg. It shouldn't take too long to split our train about 2/3 of the way back, slip in the helper, and proceed to Sublette for a meet with the eastbound passenger train at - what time? - 2:25 or so?? That would require our train to leave Antonito by noon at the latest to allow for a run-by or two before Big Horn - but the sun is much lower in late September than early July, so the lighting shouldn't be a problem so long as Mother Nature is somewhat kind to us. If the helper crew runs short of time later on, only a two-man engine crew would be needed for relief or if necessary the helper could be dropped off at Los Piños or Cumbres with just a night watchman and retrieved the next day.
And what if the road engine for the westbound passenger train Sept. 28 is #463,* assuming she is operational by then. #463 should be able to handle a westbound train by herself, serve as a helper from Chama to Cumbres on the 29th,* and then become the road engine from Cumbres to Antonito while the K-36 she was assisting runs ahead to Big Horn as described above. This scenario would give us two photo ops with #463 at meets, but otherwise leave our train as authentic a re-creation of the 1960's as possible ...
The only remaining significant problem - assuming the C&TS approves all of this for the dates proposed and crews are available - is getting the two loaded pipe gons and their three idler flats to Antonito for use with the westbound train, as loaded pipe gons would not be appropriate in an authentic eastbound freight.
- The Curmudgeon's Apprentice
* Or October 27 & 28, respectively, if a potential conflict with the Rocky Club forces a change of dates. September 27 & 28 - a Thursday & Friday - would probably also work O-K for John's charter, but would require some attendees to take an extra day of vacation.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 08/12/2011 08:15PM by Russo Loco.
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.