That 35 car train with the 5 loads of Ballast sounds like the second weekend(Last day of 5 total) Antonito to Chama train on the Craft charters. I rode that one and we had 497 up front and 484 mid-train helper. We only did three runbys, (1) Just a mile or so out of Antonito, (2) MP 289, and (3)Middle section of Whiplash. I rode on a flat car ahead of helper 484 from 289 to Whiplash. After that we went straight to Sublette, and did a runby there, but after taking water.
The ballast cars went with 484 and caboose from Cumbres the evening before, after being part of that 3 engine afternoon train. One of my favorite shots was the glint at Apache Canyon Road with 484, the loaded ballast cars and caboose. Good times! Glad I was younger then!!
Greg